THE HONGKONG GOVT GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY, 27TH MARCH, 1890. 291
This will be repeated by a red Ensign at Pedder's Wharf, Murray Pier, and by permission, at the Canton and Macao Steam-boat Wharf and the Hankow Wharf.
The display of these flags will be the signal for closing the Central Fairway, and during the time that they are flying no ship, junk, launch or vessel of any description may pass in or across the Central Fairway.
When the steamer is fast to the Buoy, these flags will be hauled down and the Fairway will be re-opened to traffic.
R. MURRAY RUMSEY, Ret. Com., R.N., Harbour Master, &c.
Harbour Department, Hongkong, 21st March, 1890.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.-No. 129.
The following is published for general information.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 26th March, 1890.
W. M. DEANE, Acting Colonial Secretary.
FIRE BRIGADE DEPARTMENT,
HONGKONG, 25th March, 1890.
Sir,—I have the honour to report that the following special precautions have been taken for the prevention of Fires during the night of the Illuminations.
1. Notices will be posted, and a house to house distribution of them made, calling upon all occupiers of houses and others to be careful to have in immediate readiness buckets of water on the different floors of their houses.
2. The Steam Fire Launch will be on duty in Victoria Harbour throughout the night, and for the purpose of ready recognition will be illuminated with red lanterns.
3. On shore the general Fire Brigade arrangements will remain unchanged. That is to say the Engines will be stationed in their usual place in the Fire Brigade Station, the Fire bell will sound as usual on the alarm of Fire, and the Firemen not on Police duty will rendezvous as heretofore at the Fire Brigade Station.
4. During the night of the Illuminations, the Acting Captain Superintendent of Police, with the view of facilitating the movements of the Fire Brigade, will make arrangements whereby those of the European Policemen on duty in the Central District who are Firemen shall leave their duties in the event of Fire. All off Police duty will be in Fire Brigade uniform.
5. During the day of the illuminations the water supply will be on throughout the City of Victoria.
6. Advantage has been taken of this arrangement to select a certain number of central posts at which men will be stationed on duty and in Fire Brigade uniform each with four hundred feet of hose and a branch pipe ready, if required, to attach the hose to the street fire plug at which they will be stationed. A large red lantern with the word "Fire Hose" in English and Chinese on it will be suspended over each of the spots where the hose is kept.
7. The following are the stations that have been selected
1. Queen's Road between City Hall and Hongkong and Shanghai Bank.
2. Clock Tower.
3. Junction of Wyndham Street in the Glenealy Ravine.
4. Junction of Wellington Street and Pottinger Street.
5. Junction of Hollywood Road and Ladder Street (Man Mò Temple).
6. Junction of Queen's Road and Cleverley Street.
7. Junction of Queen's Road and Lower Lascar Road (Man On Insurance Company).
8. Junction of Bonham Strand and Queen's Road.
8. These being the arrangements I have only further to add that the main protection against fire lies with the community itself, and that while the movements of the Fire Brigade must be greatly impeded by the crowds in the streets, much can be done by individuals in houses to prevent such fires from occurring, and especially by having ready to hand buckets of water and appliances for throwing it.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
GEO. HORSPOOL..
pro Superintendent, Fire Brigade.
3
The Honourable W. M. DEANE, M.A.,
Acting Colonial Secretary.