ENG-1991 — Page 388

RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS

The Antiquities and Monuments Office, a part of the government's Recreation and Culture Branch, continued an active programme of recording, protecting, preserving and restoring the archaeological and historical heritage of the territory and informing the public about heritage preservation. Several major restoration projects were initiated in 1991, including those of the Hau Kui-shek Ancestral Hall at Ho Sheung Heung, the Tang Chung-ling Ancestral Hall at Tsz Tong Tsuen and the Yeung Hau Temple at Ha Tsuen in Yuen Long. Restoration of the Kang Yung Shu Uk, a typical village school some 200 years old, also commenced during the year.

A full-scale project aimed at consolidating the ruins and improving visitors' facilities at the Qing Dynasty fort at Fan Lau on Lantau was also completed before the

summer season.

A total of 1 324 military graves and monuments at the Hong Kong Cemetery in Happy Valley were surveyed and recorded, to obtain information about servicemen and their dependents who died in the early years of the city. As in previous years, surveys of historical settlements in the territory were conducted during the summer by university students. These included surveys on village architecture in Sha Tau Kok, and on Chinese temples in Tsuen Wan, Kwai Ching and Tuen Mun.

Rescue projects were organised to conserve and record archaeological and historical items within the areas affected by the construction of the new airport. Rescue excavations on Chek Lap Kok undertaken prior to levelling for the new airport were carried out by the Hong Kong Archaeological Society. Significant discoveries were made before the project was completed in the autumn, including Neolithic sites and several Yuan dynasty (1271–1368 AD) kilns.

An archaeological survey of the North Lantau coast conducted by the Chinese University of Hong Kong collected valuable information about archaeological remains which may be affected by the airport project. In this context an historical study of Tung Chung, undertaken by the History Department of the Chinese University, was commenced in July.

To arouse public awareness of local heritage, guided tours, talks, workshops and seminars were organised for community and school groups. Information pamphlets were produced on a variety of themes, including ancient rock carvings, archaeological finds and historical buildings. A conference entitled The Future of Hong Kong's Past - Development and Heritage Conservation was held in October to promote heritage preservation and to encourage support among planners and architects. It attracted some 180 participants.

Public Libraries

Hong Kong's public libraries are operated by the Urban and Regional Councils. The libraries provide lending services for adults and children, including newspapers and periodicals, audio-visual services and study rooms for students.

For the housebound, the elderly and the disabled, block loan services are made to hostels and centres for the aged and workshops for the physically handicapped. In May, Regional Council public libraries took a major step forward in providing for the blind, and deposited a loan collection of 1 664 braille and talking books with the Society for the Blind to help improve the society's library services to its members. Reading machines for the Blind are available in the City Hall Library and Kowloon Central Library.

327