ENG-1985 — Page 328

RECREATION AND THE ARTS

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The exhibitions attracted 348 500 visitors, including 7994 students in 149 school parties. A number of exhibition catalogues were published to coincide with the major exhibitions. Of these "The Wonders of Potter's Palette: Qing Ceramics from the Collection of the Hong Kong Museum of Art', and 'George Chinnery - His Pupils and His Influence', were particularly noteworthy publications.

To enhance the appreciation of art, 20 lectures on the technique and appreciation of ceramics, Chinese tea wares, Chinese seal engraving, print-making, and Western painting and photography were organised. Other educational and extension activities, including mini travelling exhibitions, film shows, guided tours and talks for teachers and students, were held.

During the year, the museum received a donation of 200 items of carved bamboo from the late Dr Ip Yee, thus making the museum's collection of Chinese bamboo carving one of the most significant in the world.

Museums in the Non-Urban Areas

Following its formation on April 1, the Regional Services Department took over from the former Cultural Services Department the planning, design and management of museums in the non-urban areas. During the year, the Sheung Yiu Folk Museum in Sai Kung attracted 67 700 visitors. The Hong Kong Railway Museum at the old Tai Po Market Station was completed towards the end of the year, while detailed design continued for the Sam Tung Uk Folk Museum in Tsuen Wan.

Antiquities and Monuments Office

During the year, the Antiquities and Monuments Office, which now comes under the new Municipal Services Branch of the Government Secretariat, continued its active recording, research, preservation and restoration programme covering a wide range of items of historical and archaeological interest, under the guidance of the Antiquities Advisory Board. Of particular note was the completion of the two restoration projects: the Man Shek Tong which is the Liu Clan's Ancestral Hall at Sheung Shui, and the Man Mo Temple at Tai Po Market. Both projects were undertaken by the owners themselves with a financial contribution from the government, representing the first-ever joint effort projects between government and the local community in the cause of preserving Hong Kong's heritage.

The Fan Lau Fort on southwestern Lantau, which had been closed to the public for safety reasons, was reopened in the summer after satisfactory completion of necessary repairs with a donation from the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club. Restoration and protection works were also carried out on the rock carvings at Shek Pik and on Cheung Chau, and the gas lamps at the Duddell Street Steps were also re-lit during the year. The office embarked on active planning for the restoration of the Tai Fu Tai at San Tin, the Kun Ting Study Hall at Ping Shan, an old house at Hoi Pa Village in Tsuen Wan and a number of other items. In addition, the survey of traditional villages in the New Territories by students from the universities continued during the summer months, and was focused on the Ha Tsuen area.

The three-year territory-wide archaeological survey to assess Hong Kong's archaeolog- ical resources came to a satisfactory conclusion during the year. The recommendations and findings of the survey are now being carefully examined.