101
No.
1.
92.
HONGKONG.
REPORT OF THE ACTING SUPERINTENDENT OF FIRE BRIGADE FOR 1891.
Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Governor, on the 25th January, 1892.
No. 4.
FIRE BRIGADE DEPARTMENT,
HONGKONG, 6th January, 1892.
SIR, I have the honour to submit for the information of His Excellency the Governor the follow- ing report on the Government Fire Brigade for the year 1891.
Fires, &c.
1. During the year there were 81 fires and alarms of fire; and the value of the property destroyed is estimated at $33,320.
2. The following table shews the number of fires at which the services of the Brigade were required, each year, during the last ten years.
1891,....
1890,
1889,
1888,
1887,
8 fires.
..16
1886, 1885,
13
21
"J
1884,
.45 .35
jj
"3
1883, 1882,
..
.11 fires. ..11
.18
..11 8
""
3. In my report for the year 1888 I attributed the enormous increase in the number of fires to the effects of "Cheap Fire Insurance," and I think the great decrease during the last three years is due, in great measure, if not entirely, to the action of the Fire Insurance Companies and to the pro- ceedings under the Fire Enquiry Ordinance (No. 23 of 1888).
4. Of the fires that took place during the year three only were the subject of official enquiry under the Ordinance, and no prosecution was instituted.
5. I am glad to be able to report, that no casualty whatever occurred at any of the fires.
6. The fires on the 5th and 6th May last, both occurred close to the Electric Light lines and shewed clearly the disadvantages of the present system of overhead Electric Light wires. In the first case, the line was damaged by the fire, and the firemen, in consequence, ran additional risk to life and limb, and in the second, to avoid accidents, the current was shut off, thereby plunging part of the City into almost total darkness.
The Brigade.
7. No change was made in the numerical strength of the Brigade during the year. Establishment consists of:-
-----
Superintendent,...
Chinese.
The present
European.
1...
Assitant Superintendent,
1.........
Engineer,
Assistant Engineer,
1
Clerk,....
Engine Drivers............
4.
3
Assistant Do.,
3.
Stokers,...
..10
Overseer of Water Works,
1...
Inspector of Dangerous Goods,
Assistant to Do.,
1
Foremen,
3.
Assistant Foremen,
Firemen,
Chinese Contingent,..
Seamen,.
Watchmen,
28..
.22
4
+
2
.15
Total,.....
49
58
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