124
9. The members of the Government Brigade have been particularly fortunate during the year, nothing more serious than a few rather rough falls, a few severe bruises or burns having befallen any of them.
Water Supply.
10. The supply of fresh water for fire extinguishing purposes remains, so far, as unsatisfactory as ever, but it is to be hoped, now that the Tytam water has reached Victoria, that before long this new supply will be available in all parts of the city, and that there will be at all times, a sufficient pressure in the mains, that when a fire occurs, the Brigade will be quite independent of the supply from the harbour.
This, of course, refers more especially to the higher levels.
So long as the fires occur on the Queen's Road level, there is little difficulty in reaching them with sufficient salt water, but the difficulty increases in proportion as the higher levels have to be reached.
It is quite possible to have to use three engines to enable one to play on the fire.
11. The question of having separate fire mains, from which there is no draught for other purposes, is I think, one deserving the attention of the Government. At the same time, I am strongly of opinion that, even with an improved hydrant system on such high pressure mains as it would then be possible to have, it would not be practicable, having due regard to safety from fire, to dispense with the steam fire engines altogether, it might perhaps be possible to reduce their number.
12. It is a great advantage to have more than one means of fire extinction, as a fire might occur just at the time when the main is under repair, and in Hongkong, this is quite practicable, there being always an unlimited supply of salt water available.
The Brigade.
13. In consequence of the great increase in the number of fires, it was found impossible to main- tain an effective Brigade on the old scale of pay, and in September last, the very small force of seven- teen European firemen, was found to be five below its strength,
The Government thereupon decided to increase the salaries of the rank and file by 100 per cent., and also to augment the number of European firemen from seventeen to twenty-three, and to reduce the number of Chinese firemen from seventy-six to fifty.
This has proved to be a change in the right direction.
14. The European firemen had invariably been taken from the Police Force, but the Captain Superintendent of Police not being prepared to allow any more of his men to undertake these duties; an application was made to the Military Authorities and His Excellency the Lieut.-General Com- manding kindly approved of the appointment of six men from the garrison.
These military firemen are available for duty between 6 P.M. and 6 A.M., all the Police firemen are, as a rule, available between 6 A.M. and 6 P.M., but during the other twelve hours only half their number.
15. This arrangement has, so far, answered very well indeed, but I think the best means of maintaining the efficiency of the Brigade, and with advantage to the Colony in other respects, would unquestionably be, to keep the European Police at such a strength as would enable the Captain Superintendent to sanction the employment of a larger number of constables as firemen, as, when not engaged on Fire Brigade service, there is ample scope for their employment on Police duty.
16. The employment of Europeans as firemen, and firemen only, I think, is out of the question. 17. I enclose a report from Mr. WAGNER, the Acting Engineer, showing the present state of the engines.
They have worked well at the very unusual number of fires during the year. This is a very creditable indeed to Mr. BREWER, the Engineer, Mr. WAGNER his locum tenens, and Mr. CAMPBELL, the Assistant Engineer.
18. I cannot recommend the purchase of another land steamer, until the result of the new water supply is known, and possibly the subsequent question of separate fire mains considered; but I think, a new floating engine would prove very serviceable, the present one is upwards of 20 years old, and cannot be expected to last much longer, and in the event of a break down, there is nothing to take its place.
19. I also enclose a return of the fires and alarms of fire during the year.
20. Our thanks are due to the members of the Volunteer Brigades, both European and Chinese, for their valuable assistance, and in concluding this report I must bear testimony, to the very creditable manner in which both officers and men of the Government Brigade, have answered each call to duty.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
The Honourable F. STEWART, LL.D.,
Colonial Secretary,
&C...
&C.,
&c.
GEO. HORSPOOL, Actg. Supt. Fire Brigade.