Listed buildings: just three weeks left | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

Listed buildings: just three weeks left

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Submitted by David on Fri, 2009-07-10 08:23

The Antiquities & Monuments Office will stop accepting comments on their propsed changes to the listed buildings on 31 July. So, if you've got anything to say, better get a move on! Their email address is amo@lcsd.gov.hk

I sent them this message yesterday, noting that no pillboxes on Hong Kong island, or ARP tunnels were included:

Dear Sir,

There are two types of historic building that are not represented in the assessment documents. Both date to the period of Japanese invasion and occupation:

 * Pillboxes on Hong Kong island
 * Air Raid shelter tunnels for civilian use

Please can I ask whether any of these were included in original list of 8,800 buildings?

Many of the pillboxes on Hong Kong island were involved in the fighting during the invasion. The pillboxes along the north shore of the island have already disappeared, but there are still some that remain in good condition inland, and along the south shore. eg Pillbox 3 along Blacks Link is part of the Wong Nai Chung battlefield, and Pillbox 22 in West Bay is close to the Stanley cluster of Historic buildings.

The Air Raid shelter tunnels in Hong Kong and Kowloon were part of the Civil Defence preparations before the invasion. Thousands of civilians sheltered in these tunnels during the period between the invasion and the surrender. Though the tunnels are hidden from view, many of the entrances and ventilation towers are still visible. eg the tunnel entrances at the beginning of Queen's Rd East, or the ventilation tower on Monmouth Path in Wanchai.

You can find photos and further information about these below my signature.

Without any awareness of their importance, they will continue to be vandalised, or removed / covered with concrete during slope maintenance work. Grading them will help ensure at least some are preserved.

Yours faithfully,

David Bellis.

Photos and further information:

 * Pillbox at Black's link: http://gwulo.com/node/1828
 * Pillbox at West Bay: http://gwulo.com/node/1824
 * ARP tunnel entrances on Queen's Rd East: http://gwulo.com/node/1750
 * Ventilation tower on Monmouth path: http://gwulo.com/star-street-tunnels-wanchai

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Comments

Submitted by David on Wed, 2009-07-22 16:32.

They confirm that the ARP shelters and pillboxes were not included in the current round of assessment:

Dear Mr Bellis,

Thank you for your email of 9 July 2009 sharing with us your comments on the assessment of 1,444 Historic Buildings.

In view of manpower and resource constraints, the Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) has prioritized its research effort on the assessment of historic buildings.  The territory-wide survey on historic buildings carried out by the AMO in 1996 - 2000  focused mainly on pre-1950 buildings.  The pillboxes and air raid shelter tunnels mentioned in your email have not been included as more research on them is required.  Nevertheless, the assessment is an on-going exercise. We shall take note of your valuable information pending for further study and would be pleased to consider assessing the military structures in the future grading exercise.

We thank you for your support on heritage preservation in Hong Kong.

Sincerely,

** ***

If anyone hears when work starts on the 'future grading exercise', please let me know and I'll ask again.