413
HONGKONG.
REPORT OF THE ACTING SUPERINTENDENT OF FIRE BRIGADE FOR 1890.
No.
Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, on the 9th November, 1891,
No. 16.
FIRE BRIGADE OFFICE, HONGKONG, 27th October, 1891.
35
91
SIR,-I have the honour to submit the following report on the Government Fire Brigade for the year 1890, called for in your C.S.O. No. 2469 of the 24th instant.
1. The Superintendent of the Brigade, (Honourable H. E. WODEHOUSE, C.M.G.) was in command during the whole of the year, with the exception of a few days (25th March to. 3rd April) when he was granted sick leave.
2. During the year there were 124 fires and alarms of fire as compared with 98 during the previous year.
3. The following table shows the number of fires at which the Brigade has been engaged each year, during the last ten years.
1890,..
1889,
1888,.
1887,......
1886,.....
.16 fires.
1885,
.21
1884,
>"
.45
1888.
.35 ..11
25
1882. 1881,....
3
&
.11 fires. .18
17
.11
22
8
11
8
4. The great decrease in the number of fires, during the last two years, may, I think, be attributed entirely to the greater caution on the part of the Fire Insurance Companies in the issue of Fire Policies, and to the effect of the Fire Enquiry Ordinance (No. 23 of 1888).
5. During the year there were eleven Fire Enquiries held under the provisions of this Ordinance, with a result that in two cases, prosecutions were instituted. Both cases were committed for trial at the Criminal Sessions of the Supreme Court. In one case the defendant was tried and acquitted, and in the other a nolle prosequi was entered.
6. Unfortunately, in two cases during the year, the fire has been attended with loss of life.
(a) In the first case, a very old woman, who was blind, was burned to death in a cabin of a
trading junk, in the Harbour.
(b) In the other, two men who had escaped from the burning building, entered it again in search of some property, when their escape was cut off through the staircase having caught fire.
7. There has been a great improvement in the arrangements for the supply of fresh water for fire extinguishing purposes, but much still remains to be done, more particularly in the Western District.
The "Fire Despatch boxes." introduced last year by Mr. WODEHOUSE have been found to be very handy, and no doubt will prove very useful.
8. No change was made in the numerical strength of the Brigade, during the year. 9. No accident occurred to any member of the Brigade while engaged at a fire.
10. Early in the year the Brigade lost the valuable services of Mr. WAGNER, the Engineer, who I regret to say, died after only a few days' illness. He had been attached to the Brigade four years and had proved a very efficient officer. The vacancy was filled by the appointment of Mr. KINGHORN to the post.
11. I enclose Mr. KINGHORN's report on the state of the Engines.
They have been kept in excellent order by Mr. CAMPBELL, the Assistant Engineer, under Mr. KINGHORN's supervision.
I cannot recommend the purchase of a land steamer to replace the No. 2, but I am strongly of opinion that the question of providing a second floating fire engine should receive the early attention of the Government.
12. I also enclose a return of fires and alarms of fire during the year.
13. The Chinese Volunteer Brigades are entitled to our thanks for their assistance at the different fires, and it gives me pleasure to testify to the creditable manner in which the members of the Government Brigade have performed their duties.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
The Honourable W. MEIGH GOODMAN,
Acting Colonial Secretary,
GEO. HORSPOOL, Acting Supt., Fire Brigade,
+