- Paddock is a Grade-III enlisted structure, which means it has 'some' heritage merits and its preservation is 'desirable'
- Civil Engineering and Development Department says construction next to the structure cannot be avoided but it will consider measures to protect it
An old paddock, one of the surviving structures of Hong Kong's first dairy set up in the late 19th century in Pok Fu Lam of the Southern district, could be threatened if the government goes ahead with its plan to develop public housing in adjacent areas, a site investigation for which has concluded.
The findings of the investigation is contained in a paper prepared by the Civil Engineering and Development Department, to be tabled for discussion at Thursday's meeting of the Antiquities Advisory Board.
In its paper, the department noted that efforts had been made to avoid impact to the remaining structures of the old Dairy Farm, to the extent that the planned development on one of the five identified sites there was dropped, to leave the historic structures intact as far as possible.
But regarding the paddock, the paper said: "Necessary and unavoidable slope works will occur in proximity to the (paddock) which may affect the historic building."
The department promised "mitigation measures" would be introduced.
The housing project, part of what is officially known as the Pok Fu Lam South development that could provide more than 11,900 public dwelling units, sits near the site of the old Dairy Farm, founded in 1886, where it was once an extensive complex of farm buildings.
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Today, some of its physical structures, like staff quarters, silos, paddocks, cowsheds, manure pit, are still visible, although in a dilapidated condition.
The Dairy Farm was founded by Scottish doctor Patrick Manson and a few businessmen. Dr Manson also founded the Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese, which later evolved into the University of Hong Kong. Dr Sun Yat-sen, known as "Father of Modern China" who led the revolution to overthrow the Qing dynasty, was one of his first students. And there were also news reports that Dr Manson had involved himself to rescue Sun when he had been detained by the Qing embassy in 1896.
The paddock is a Grade-III listed building " the lowest rung in the three-tier heritage conservation system. A Grade-III status means a building has "some" heritage merits and its "preservation in some form would be desirable and alternative means should be considered if preservation is not practicable".
The department said the construction of a bored pile wall and retaining walls next to the paddock could not be avoided to build an access road that would link the future housing estates.
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On the proposed mitigation measures, it said it would carry out a "condition survey" to identify measures needed to protect the paddock during the construction phase from possible vibration, settlement and titling impacts.
Additional protective measures such as fencing, covering by geotextile and sandbags, as well as implementation of protective buffer zone shall be adopted, according to the department. "Signages identifying the heritage value of the structure will also be put in place," the department paper said.
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