18
HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT
were increased, allowing a supply of only two-and-a-half hours daily, the most severe restriction there has been since the war.
Throughout May experiments were conducted by the Royal Observatory in the production of rain by the artificial method of spraying clouds with water. The experiments unfortunately coincided with one of the periods of heavy natural downpour, but sufficient evidence was obtained to enable it to be said that the method is ineffective in the parti- cular climatic conditions of Hong Kong.
On 1 April an unusual disaster occurred in the fishing harbour of Cheung Chau, when a freak gust of wind of hurricane force, coming from the north-west and lasting less than three minutes, overturned 36 fishing boats and sank 3 large junks, with the loss of 14 lives. The District Com- missioner, New Territories, made an urgent appeal for funds to assist those whose boats had been seriously damaged, and who had in many cases lost the greater part of their fishing gear and other simple possessions. As a result of prompt public response it was possible, within three days, to pay out to all the fishermen concerned sufficient money for them to purchase all the gear etc. lost, and to make an additional lump sum grant to each family with a fatal casualty.
Another unusual tragedy occurred at Taipo Kau in August when, possibly as a result of a cloudburst in the hills, a stream beside which a number of children were having a picnic burst suddenly into a raging torrent and swept the children away. 28 people lost their lives, most of the deaths being caused by the victims being thrown against rocks by the force of the water.
MISCELLANEA
In August, while workmen were levelling a hill for a new Resettlement Area at Li Cheng Uk, on the northern fringe of Kowloon, a tomb of considerable antiquity was discovered, proving to be one of the most important historical finds ever made in the Colony. The discovery attracted widespread interest, and after the tomb had been cleared under the supervision of University representatives it was opened to the public, and later there was an exhibition of its contents given under the auspices of the University in the Fung Ping Shan Library. The tomb is discussed in more detail in the Archaeology Chapter.
t