The Changing of Ma On Shan Village

1. The Changing ofMa On Shan Village

2. Why We Chose this Topic • Investigate issues on humanities in Shatin - Sai Kung district • We wanted to explore an old village • Ma On Shan Village is special • Ma On Shan Village’s location is good for us

3. The location of Ma On Shan Village

4. Before Mining Started • People’s trace was found early in BC 2500 • Farmers and fishermen lived in Ma On Shan since Sung Dynasty • The Wen’s Village was existed before mining developed in Ma On Shan.

5. How did Mining Started • The Hong Kong Iron Mining Company started mining in 1906. • 2 groups of students from US came to mine for iron, but they failed.

6. In 1940, South China Smelters Ltd got the mining right. • The Mutual Trust Company got the mining right in 1949. The building of Mutual Trust Company.

7. Development of Mining opencast mining • At first ,opencast mining method was used. • In 1954, tunnel mining method was used. tunnel mining

8. It increased productivity which led to long term stable production. Technicians from Japan.

9. Causes Ended theMining • In 1970s,Japan stopped buying orefrom Hong Kong. • Most of the miners went away forbetter jobs. • Hong Kong Governmentceased giving the mining right.

10. Worker’s Life • Miners worked hard but their wages were very little • They found Ma On Shan Village was a good place to live in.

11. The changing of churches The reasons why churches started develop in HK: • Alarge number of refugees came from Mainland China • They were very poor and needed helps • Welfare service in Hong Kong was not yet developed at that time

12. Catholic Church • St. Francis Society came to HK in 1948 • Church of St. Joseph’s was set up at April 25, 1952. • The administer of the Church was Father Wu.

13. The Church of St. Francis • Was built in 1952 on the hill The Church of St. Francis

14. The church included : • sanctuary, • doctrine hall, • primary school, • kindergarten • Clinic,etc. A meeting in the church

15. The St. Joseph’s Primary School • Was openedin 1952 The classrooms The St. Joseph’s Primary School

16. The church nowadays • Was old and was destroyed • Classrooms and the place where the priest and nuns lived were messy. Inside the church The statue of Mother Mary An old piano

17. Christian Churches Lutheran Church was builtin 1950s, it provided: • Help of food and clothes • Education services for children • Medical services • Child-care services • Occupation training services

18. The church nowadays • was changed into a campus for its believers to hold religious activitiesin 1977 The church nowadays The campus

19. A kind person Mr. Cheung Pu • Mr. Cheung Pu followed the St. Francis Society to go to Ma On Shan. • After the mine closed down, he moved to the hillfor living • He helped the elderly in Ma On Shan Village a lot. • The TVB news department made a videoof him and the elderly. • Mr. Cheung died on 1st February 2001

20. Ma On Shan Village Nowadays Ma On Shan village is now a deserted village with old minersand their spouses and new emigrants. The village nowadays

21. The transportation is inconvenient. Old shuttle bus. New shuttle bus.

22. Interview Result Q: How often do they go to the urban area? 20% 10% 70%

23. The future of Ma On Shan Village • a villager suggests changing the Catholic Church to an elderly home for old miners • The organization plan to change the Ma On Shan Village to a theme park.

24. Interview Result Q: Do you support the idea of changing Ma On Shan Village as a theme park? 10% No idea 10% agree 80% disagree

25. Conclusion • Ma On Shan have changed rapidly. • The group of old miners are being forgotten. • We hope to arouse people’s attention to the old silent contributors.

26. References • 馬鞍山風物誌（礦業興衰） • 馬鞍山風物誌（鞍山歲月） • The Hong Kong Heritage Museum

27. End