An ancient well and a few other archeological finds of dubious value have held up the construction of the Sha Tin to Central Link for nearly a year at a cost estimated at more than HK$4 billion - or 20 percent of the total cost.

On the other side of the harbor in the central business district is the uninspiring hulk of the former central market, sitting on one of the world's most expensive tracts of real estate. It has been languishing there for years waiting to be rejuvenated for the sake of Hong Kong's collective memories.

These are just a few examples of conservation going overboard at the expense of taxpayers' money.

Let's talk about that well. People have been digging holes in the ground for water since the dawn of civilization. We are not convinced that this particularly well, discovered at one of the construction sites along the railway line, is worth preserving at such high costs.

It reminds me that there used to be a well in the backyard of my grandparents' Victorian terraced house in Happy Valley where I grew up. The house was torn down years ago to make way for a modern apartment block. What I can remember is the intricate tile flooring, the chandelier and the hardwood furniture which were torturous to sit on in any position. But it never occurred to me that we had a well in the backyard until I read about the one that held up the railway construction.

Our well, which supplied water for toilet flushing, would have been over 100 years old by now, qualifying it for antiquity. But I wonder who would be interested in preserving such a utilitarian structure which was nothing but a brick-lined hole in the ground. I was hardly aware of its existence when I was living in that house and I don't miss it now.

The opportunity cost of preserving the central market must be astronomical, considering the price of real estate in its vicinity. Conservationists may argue that collective memories are priceless. Of course, they don't have to foot the bill.

I am not against preserving a slice of Hong Kong's past. But not all old buildings, or sites, are worth the cost and trouble.

When I was living in Shanghai, I had a lot of admiration for the Shanghai municipal government's efforts in preserving not just singular buildings but the ambience and atmosphere of entire districts. A stroll down the tree-lined avenue dotted with chic boutiques and quaint cafs in the former French concession was a delight I sorely miss now I have moved back to Hong Kong.

But I think that many Hong Kong people, like me, just cannot bring themselves to appreciate an ancient well of no artistic value or a building with a utilitarian design. Hong Kong needs to be more judicious in selecting what to preserve.

(HK Edition 07/09/2015 page7)