A look at history: What was happening in Sai Kung in the Seventies?

_{Old Sai Kung village in 1958 Photo: Gwulo}

Sai Kung town in the early 70s was just a fishing village. Electricity was first introduced to the area in about 1970. Sai Kung underwent significant expansion during the decade when the High Island Reservoir scheme was built, sinking some villages whose people were moved to the town. Reclaimed land near the Tin Hau Temple was used to house the displaced residents. The Government led by Sir Murray MacLehose built residential and commercial properties in the town centre and at Tui Min Hoi. It would be another ten years before Teddy Wang, the somewhat-less-than honest property developer, built the six main buildings in the township. Local industries such as fishing and agriculture declined causing workers to emigrate. Some villages were abandoned.

^{Tin Hau Temple 1957 Photo: Gwulo}

The 1970s saw major road development. Previously areas beyond Tai Mong Tsai were accessible only by foot or by boat. A road linking Sai Kung town to Sai Wan was built, providing the first access to Tai Long Wan and its beautiful beaches (you still have to hike the last part). Construction of Sai Sha Rd, linking Shap Sze Heung with Shatin via Ma On Shan was begun. The Sai Kung police station has been at its current location since the 1950s*.

^{Sai Kung in 1988 with the first of the flats Photo: HKU}

Sir Murray, regarded by many as Hong Kong’s best Governor, had large areas designated as country parks including the Sai Kung one. This led to increased tourism in the area. While the airport remained at Kai Tak, many pilots and aviation staff made their homes in Sai Kung.

^{The old cinema before its demise in 1975 Photo: Gwulo}

The main schools in the area were the Sai Kung English School and a Catholic primary school. Planning for the University of Science and Technology did not begin until the 1980s. It wasn’t until the late 1970s that Sacred Heart Church was deemed to have a parish; the church itself was built in 1959.

Who were the most important people in Sai Kung at the time? The only one who stands out is the peerless Bruce Lee, whose bridge is still there as a memorial to the kung fu star. It was on the Fuk Hing Bridge at Pak Tam Chung that Lee was filmed doing his trade-marked pugilistic stunts for the film, “Unicorn Fist”.

• And looks as if it has not been renovated since. The Government should be ashamed of itself.