PAGODAS
I take the following from the current number of The Critic:
773
196
Apart from our local archaeologists, few residents may be aware that two pagodas still exist in the New Territories. They are small and insignificant structures compared with the lofty towers one sees dotted all over the landscape of China proper, yet on account of their rarity they deserve to be better known. The first, a tiny affair of only two storeys, is situated at Pokfulam opposite the "airy Farm's premises and stands among the styles and vegetable gardens close to the reservoir. It is obviously of ancient lineage and is in a bad state of repair, though its history is shrouded in mystery. As far as is known, the district around Pokfulam has always been inhabited by fisher-folk and there are no records of important personages, such as usually erect pagodas to perpetuate their names, having lived in the vicinity. The other pagoda, which is far more picturesque and boasts four storeys, lies close to a little village between Un-Loong and Fanling, not far from Lok-Ma Chau. It may be seen from the roadside, although it is partly hidden by trees, and access to it is difficult and entails crossing the muddy ricefields. As far as is known, it was built by a magistrate several hundred years ago and was once used as a beacon tower to warn the inhabitants of neighbouring villages of the approach of marauding bandits. Both these pagodas deserve to be classified as ancient monuments and we think that some effort should be made to preserve them. There is, unfortunately, no archaeological society in the Colony to save historic buildings from decay, but there must be several residents who are keen on preserving the architectural as well as the natural beauties of the New Territories and we suggest that they should make some effort to restore these pagodas or at least to save them from the fate of other pagodas in the Colony, which were long ago destroyed by villagers who used the bricks for building pig-styes and other farm buildings.
Newcomer: With reference to the clipping from The Critic (19.6.33) concerning the two pagodas in Hong Kong, I had often seen that little "fantap" in the Dairy Farm at Pokfulam, but thought it was a silo of some sort. It may not be worth preserving, but perhaps the Dairy Farm Company would not object to its removal and re-erection elsewhere if considered worth while. It would add to the atmosphere of one of the cemeteries.
PAGODAS
I take the following from the current number of The Critic:
773
196
Apart from our local archaeologists, few residents may be aware that two pagodas still exist in the New Territories. They are small and insignificant structures compared with the lofty towers one sees dotted all over the landscape of China proper, yet on account of their rarity they deserve to be better known. The first a tiny affair of only two storeys, is situated at Pokfulam opposite the "airy Farm's premises and stands among the styles and vegetable gardens close to the reservoir. It is obviously of ancient lineage and is in a bad state of repair, though its history is shrouded in mystery. s far as is known, the district around Pokfulam has always been inhabited by fisher-folk and there are nor records of important personages, such as usually erect pagodas to perpetuate their names, having lived in the vicinity. The other pagoda, which is far more picturesque and boasts four storeys, lies close to a little village between Un-Loong and Fanling, not far from Lok-Ma Chau. It may be seen from the roadside, although it is partly hidden by trees, and access to it is difficult and intails crossing the muddy ricefields. As far as is known, it was built by a magistrate several hundred years ago and was once used as a beacon tower to warn the inhabitants of neighbouring villages of the approach of marauding bandits. Both these pagodas deserve to be classified as ancient monuments and we think that some effort
should be made to preserve them. There is, unfortunately, no archaeological society in the Colony to save historic buildings from decay, but there must be several residents who are keen on preserving the architectural as well as the natural beauties of the New Territories and we suggest that they should make some effort to restore these pa godas or at least to save them from the fate of other pagodas in the Colony, which were long ago destroyed by villagers who used the bricks for building pig-styes and other farm buildings.
Newcomer: With reference to the clipping from The Critic (19.6.33) concerning the two pagodas in Hong Kong, I had often seen that little "fantap" in the Dairy Farm at Pokfulam, but thought it was a silo of some sort. It may not be worth preserving, but perhaps the Dairy Farm Company would not object to its removal and re-erection elsewhere if considered worth while. It would add to the atmosphere of one of the cemeteries.
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