No. 6.
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 4TH MAY, 1872.
257
FIRE BRIGADE OFFICE, HONGKONG, 2nd May, 1872. SIR,-I have the honor to place in your hands, for submission to His Excellency the Governor, the Report of the Government Fire Brigade for the months of March and April.
An Inspection of Stores was had on the 16th March, when all were found clean and correct. The Hand Engines were worked from the "mains" at the Cross Roads, and found in good order.
The subsidiary Fire Stations were visited during the month and the Hose and Implements found
correct.
In consequence of the fire at No. 15, Bonham Strand, on the 26th March, of which an official Report was published in Government Gazette of the 27th March, the usual Parade and Inspection was not held at the end of the month.
An Inspection of Engines, Stores and Equipment was held on the 18th April; all were found clean and in order.
A Parade and Inspection of the Government and Volunteer Brigades was held at 5 P. M. on the 30th April. The Hongkong Insurance Company's Steam-engine, three Hand Engines of Chinese Asso- ciations, and two Steam and three Hand Engines of the Government Brigade, were in attendance; and were taken to the Praya in the vicinity of the Harbor Master's Office and worked from the sea: each Engine was found in good order and worked satisfactorily.
At 3 A.M. on the 29th April an alarm of fire proceeded from a cook shop situated at No. 293, Queen's Road Central, the back of which abuts on the Western Market. The inmates were roasting pigs, and carrying on other cooking for a festival day, when a lath and plaster chimney from the lower floor caught fire. The fire was speedily extinguished by the inmates and the Market scavengers. The Government Engines were in readiness, but were not turned out.
The owner of the premises was summoned for having a dangerous structure, and the case adjourn- ed for one week within which a remedy is to be provided.
At about 1 to 10 A.M. on 1st May, an alarm of fire proceeded from the premises of Messrs. Vogel, Hagedorn & Co., situated at Gilman Street. It was found that a case of detonating cartridges had exploded, causing an immense amount of smoke, but no fire. The Hongkong Insurance Co.'s Steam Engine was brought to the place, and the hose run out, but it was not found necessary to be worked. One of the Foremen of the Government Brigade was on the spot immediately after the alarm and seeing that there was no fire, or danger, sent orders to the Fire Brigade Station not to bring out the Engines.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
The Honorable CECIL C. SMITH,
Acting Colonial Secretary,
HONGKONG.
No. 97.
Your most obedient Servant,
C. MAY, Superintendent, Fire Brigade.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
The following Account, duly certified, of the Average Amount of BANK NOTES in Circulation in Hongkong, during the Month ending 30th April, 1872, is published for general information.
By Command,
CECIL C. SMITH, Acting Colonial Secretary.
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 3rd May, 1872.
BANKS.
AVERAGE AMOUNT.
SPECIE IN RESERVE.
$
$
Oriental Bank Corporation,....
727,824
250,000
Chartered Mercantile Bank of India, London and China,...
445,613
200,000
Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China,
367,593
200,000
Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation,......
1,217,355
500,000
TOTAL,....
..$
2,758,385
1,150,000