Lo Pan Temple and Residence of Tang Pak Kau Declared Monuments in Hong Kong

Two historic buildings declared as monuments

The Government today (October 10) gazetted a notice announcing that the Antiquities Authority (i.e. the Secretary for Development) has declared Lo Pan Temple in Kennedy Town and the Residence of Tang Pak Kau in Kam Tin, Yuen Long, as monuments under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance.

Lo Pan Temple is a well-recognised historic temple in Hong Kong dedicated to Lo Pan. It was first built in 1884 and rebuilt at the same site in 1928. The temple was embellished with intricate murals, plaster mouldings, wood carvings and pottery decorations, among which are the pottery decorations on the ridges of the temple produced by the renowned pottery ridge shop Junyu in Shiwan. The distinctive stepped gable walls of the temple are rare in Hong Kong. Since its establishment, the local construction sector has been following the tradition of paying homage to Lo Pan at the temple on his birthday, carrying on the unique culture and tradition of the construction industry.

The Residence of Tang Pak Kau was probably built in the early 20th century. Tang Pak Kau (1876-1950) was a businessman and a distinguished member of the Tang clan in Kam Tin. He made remarkable contributions to the development of Kam Tin, Yuen Long and the New Territories, in particular in the areas of education and medical services. He once set up a private school inside his residence to provide education for children of the Tang clan. The residence is a rectangular-shaped single-storey grey brick building with a three-storey watchtower. The building structure and decorations of the residence demonstrate a blend of Chinese and Western styles. Most of the original building fabric, finishes and decorations are preserved in the building. The residence is a testament to the development of Kam Tin, Yuen Long and Tang Pak Kau's achievements.

Information on the two monuments is available on the website of the Antiquities and Monuments Office (www.amo.gov.hk/en/historic-buildings/monuments/index.html).

Two historic buildings declared as monuments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Two historic buildings declared as monuments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Two historic buildings declared as monuments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Two historic buildings declared as monuments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Two historic buildings declared as monuments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Two historic buildings declared as monuments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Two historic buildings declared as monuments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Two historic buildings declared as monuments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Two historic buildings declared as monuments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Two historic buildings declared as monuments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million

Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs cases in Hong Kong International Airport and Yau Ma Tei respectively on April 1 and yesterday (April 2), and seized a total of about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine and about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine with a total estimated market value of about $3.4 million. Two persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.

In the first case, a 43-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand on April 1. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine concealed inside food packaging in his baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

In the second case, during an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Yau Ma Tei on April 2, Customs officers intercepted a 41-year-old man and later escorted him to a hotel room nearby for a search and seized about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine, a drug inhaling apparatus and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested persons have been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug respectively and will appear at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (April 4).

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases