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SCMP Reporter

Supporters emboldened by effectiveness of SMS and e-mail

Conservationists are launching an online signature movement to save historic structures, including  Queen's Pier and F Hall at Victoria Prison.

The strategy follows the networking success of protesters trying to save the Star Ferry pier in Central using mobile phone text messages and e-mails.

As of  10.30pm yesterday, 51 people had signed the petition.

One of the  campaign organisers,  Mirana Szeto May,  of the University of Hong Kong,  said participants were not anti-government but wanted to arouse public awareness of the need to preserve 'Hong Kong's past'.

Referring to  Queen's Pier, Dr Szeto said: 'The significance of the pier is not about its architecture, it was the pier where our colonial governors landed.'

Star Ferry activist  Wong Ho-yin  said they would organise more forums to raise  awareness.

Patsy Cheng Man-wah,  of SEE Network, who supports the protesters, added: 'It is a long education process and it is not too late to start it now.'

Isaac Ng Ka-chui  of City University said: 'It would be very backward if the government tried to define whether to preserve an old building by its age alone.  The most significant factor is taking into consideration the importance of the building in the context of Hong Kong's history.'

Lawmaker  Patrick Lau Sau-shing,  who represents the architectural and planning sector,  said  town planning policy  overlooked the social and cultural aspects of society, and public opinion.

'Planning is done like drawing on a flat paper. It is meaningless. You have to do it, say, from the aspects of city design and preservation of heritage,' said Professor  Lau.

Fellow legislator  Lee Wing-tat, of the Democratic Party, also called on the government to rethink its heritage policy after the controversy over the Star Ferry pier demolition.

Deputy Director of Planning  Ophelia Wong Yuen-sheung   argued the public had been properly consulted over the project in 2002.

She said that if development of the city was halted every time a member of the public voiced opposition, society would not advance.

Meanwhile, Central and Western District Council  hopes the public will back its call to preserve F Hall at the 150-year-old Victoria Prison in a campaign next month.

'If the government insists on demolishing the structure, I cannot rule out an even stronger response, even though this is not what we want,' Democratic Party district councillor Kam Nai-wai  said.

Structures at the Central Police Station site, which consists of the former police station and magistrates court, and Victoria Prison, have been declared monuments.

But F Hall at Victoria Prison has been classified a non-historic building because it has been extensively altered. It was built in 1913 but was refurbished in 1931 and 1948.



Campaign to save historic sites goes online