Man Sze Cheung Yuen, Tai Po [????- ]

Submitted by philk on Mon, 09/22/2008 - 14:38
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This private building in Tai Po is a bit of an enigma. Built in 1955 it is situated on the main thoroughfare in the old part of town, Kwong Fuk Road. It has a large amount of private land, part courtyard part garden behind its imposing walls, which is quite uncommon for private buildings 

If anybody can shed some light on its ownership or history it would be interesting to hear. I have been past on the bus a couple of times and on one occasion saw some uniformed children playing there, so perhaps it is now a private school or hostel or some sort of childrens home?

Pete Spurrier was intrigued enough to mention it in his "Leisurely Hikers Guide to HK" (great book by the way) but could not offer up any new information on it.

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Hi Phil

Ming Pao had a piece dated January 2021 with a section talking about this block.  It is privately own by the Tang's.  It was built by 鄧若璠 for his daughter as her 姑婆屋.  Sorry, don't know how to translate the phrase.  That is a special term for a resident typically for female who vowed to be solitude for life.

T

I think 姑婆 is perhaps a "spinster" in English. But I'm not sure.

It's been a while since I passed the place but the last time I went by the orchard in the garden had been cleared and it made me think perhaps part of the garden had been sold for redevelopment. I'll try and pop by in a couple of weeks to see what has happened.

Hi Phil,

When I walked by yesterday, some of the windows are opened and I spotted some light bulbs on 2nd floor were on.  So definitely someone was in.

I also check Geoinfo Map.  The block occuped two lots (1390 & 1391) on DD6.

T

 

Hi Phil,

Some may use "thornback" for this, especially if the subject is older than 26.  I am at a lost of these.

According to Mingpao's piece, Ms Tang was 29 when Mr Tang built the block for her.

T