THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 11TH SEPTEMBER, 1880.
717
4. From Sections 13 to 21 of the Imperial Act, 28 and 29 Vic., Cap. 90, it will be seen that the Metropolitan Fire Brigade is supported primarily by the Insurance Companies, supplemented by a fixed Sovernment grant, any defect that may exist being made up by the local rates.
5. This, it appears to me, should be the model to be followed in Hongkong, and I shall be glad to know whether you would propose to make provision for the suggested increase in expenditure by mposing further rates on dwelling houses, by causing the Insurance Companies to pay license fees, or raising money, as in London, by a contribution in proportion to the amounts insured by them. I'pon receiving such information I shall be in a better position to judge of the whole subject.
Governor HENNESSY, C.M.G.,
80.
fc.,
&c.
I have, &c.,
(Signed) M. E. HICKS-Beach.
SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH, BT., M.P., TO GOVERNOR J. POPE HENNESSY, C.M.G.
HONGKONG. No. 21.
DOWNING STREET,
10th March, 1880.
SIR,-With reference to my despatch No. 157 of the 19th December, I have the honour to inform you that as soon as the plans and estimates for the proposed system of tanks and hydrants were ceived, they were referred to the consulting Engineer, whose report, transmitted through the Crown Agents, is now enclosed for your information.
Governor HENNESSY, C.M.G.,
I have, &c.,
(Signed)
M. E. HICKS-BEACH.
Se..
$o.,
fc.
No. 756.
ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY TO MESSKS. KESWICK AND RYRIE.
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE,
HONGKONG, 2nd July, 1880.
GENTLEMEN, ---I have the honour, by direction of the Governor, to inform you that Flis Excellency has this day received the Surveyor General's report, in reply to his minute of 19th April last, on the subject of Fire Brigade matters and additional water supply; and that further enquiry and considera- tion is necessary before a final decision can be given.
I have, &c..
FREDERICK STEWART,
Acting Colonial Secretary.
The Honourables KESWICK & KYRIE.
MESSES. KESWICK AND RYRIE TO ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY.
HONGKONG, 7th July, 1880.
DEAR SIR-We beg that you will convey to His Excellency the Governor our thanks for your unmunication C.S.O. No. 756, dated the 2nd instant, from which we note that a report has been reived from the Surveyor General in reply to His Excellency's minute of April 19th, upon the ject of Fire Brigade matters and additional water supply, but that further enquiry and considera- nis necessary before a final decision can be given.
Your communication under reply is doubtless in response to our letter of the 14th ultimo, but regret to say that, in the absence of knowledge as to the nature of His Excellency's minute of April 19th, we
are unable to gather any information from your allusion thereto. We, however. ture to hope, from the favourable reception given by His Excellency to the deputation which sited upon him in September last to urge the importance of providing against a recurrence of the aster by fire of Deccinber, 1878, that you will be able in reply to our enquiries of the 14th ultimo. nform us that prompt action will be taken in the matter.
We e are, dear Sir,
Your most obedient servants,
W. KESWICK,
Chairman, Hongkong Fire Insurance Company, Limited,
P. RYRIE,
Chairman, China Fire Insurance Company, Limited.
7. Honourable F. STEWART, LL.D..
Acting Colonial Secretary.