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Government architects, inheriting the indomitable spirit of the naval personnel in defending the territory's seaboard, have made every effort in preserving the historical remains and relics of the Lei Yue Mun Fort.

Members of the public can now have an opportunity to see for themselves the achievements of these efforts by visiting the exhibition "Defending the Seaboard -- A Preview of the Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence" at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (HKCC).

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the exhibition today (Tuesday), the Secretary for Works, Mr Kwong Hon-sang, said the new museum, scheduled for opening by the end of next year, was undoubtedly a cultural contribution to the community.

Mr Kwong noted that the construction of the museum was no simple task.

"While it is necessary to preserve the invaluable historical relics, it is also essential to make appropriate alternations and provide additional facilities to meet modern architectural standards," he said.

Mr Kwong pointed out that through the joint efforts of the Architectural Services Department (ASD) and the experts of the Provisional Urban Council (PUC), the ruins of the Lei Yue Mun Fort would take on a totally new appearance.

Also speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the PUC's Museums Select Committee, Mr Mok Ying-fan, agreed that construction of the museum was a very demanding task as the site was very rugged and strategic in nature.

"There are many complicated technical and architectural problems to tackle, such as geotechnical structures, electrical installations, preservation of the historical remains and natural environment," Mr Mok said.

"Fortunately, the ASD has assigned a crew of professional architects and engineers to undertake the project and work closely with the museum's curators to overcome all the difficulties," he said.

"I am confident that the new museum will achieve world-class standard," Mr Mok said.

Organised jointly by the ASD and the PUC, the exhibition comprises 24 panels featuring the historical and architectural aspects of the museum. The panels cover the history and changes of Hong Kong's coastal defences in the past 600 years and the important military features such as the redoubt and the defence ditch.

In addition, two architectural models and a number of historical relics are on display. One of the models gives an overall aerial view of the museum including the entrance block, the service block, the redoubt, the cafe block, and the defence ditch with 16 preserved military features forming the historical trail.

The other model shows a cross-section of the redoubt area including the tension structure, the viewing gallery, the new plant room above the casemates, the courtyard, part of the defence ditch and the emplacement of the disappearing guns.

About 30 pieces of historical relics including invaluable items such as the opium pipe and lamp, a cannon of the early Qing period are on display.

In addition, a video showing the historical background and the military features by three-dimensional animation will be screened at the exhibition.

Visitors can also attend a briefing session conducted by the project architect, Mr Kenneth Tam, and the Curator of the new museum, Mr Louis Ng, on May 16 (Saturday) from 3 pm to 6 pm.

The exhibition, which is the first of its kind to feature the history of Hong Kong's coastal defence, is open at the foyer of the HKCC until May 24 (Sunday). Admission is free.

End/Tuesday, May 12, 1998

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