No. 14.
HONGKONG.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF FIRE BRIGADE FOR 1894,
Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of
His Excellency the Governor.
273
No. 18
FIRE BRIGADE DEPARTMENT,
HONGKONG, 11th March, 1895.
SIR, I have the honour to forward the annual return of fires and fire alarmns for the year 1894. Although the return shows a slight decline on that for 1893, the fires for the most part present the same characteristics as were pointed out in my report for that year.
In the spring the Brigade was seriously embarrassed in its operations by the supply of fresh water becoming intermittent and almost entirely ceasing, and the comparatively large conflagration that occurred in the month of March in Bonham Strand owed its spread directly to this cause.
It is true that arrangements are made by which water can be turned on upon an alarm of fire occurring, but a good deal of time is lost in carrying them out, and a fire is able to make headway before it can be properly tackled, and in a crowded Colony such as this is, with its narrow and steep streets, delay might easily result in very serious consequences.
I have always been of opinion that the completion of the Tytam water works would admit of the introduction of radical changes in the composition of the Fire Brigade, and time has shown that if the water supply were only constant it would be unnecessary to keep any steam engines other than the floating engine. The pressure of water in the streets is excellent, and cannot be exceeded by the results of the best steam engine. The street hydrants are numerous and well placed, and with the gradual increase of the number of Fire Despatch Boxes it ought to be possible to keep within moderate limits at very small expense any fire taking place in the limits of Victoria. It is, however, a sine qua non of the proper treatment of fires that the water must be unstinted, and so long as it is necessary to hamper the Brigade in its use and at times to cut it off altogether, so long must the steam engines be maintained with their complement of drivers, stokers, and officers.
At the present time, moreover, there is a particular danger in curtailing the fresh water supply, as owing to the Praya Reclamation works, it may at any time be impossible to obtain water from the sea in particular places. It is, therefore, with the greatest anxiety that one learns of an order dim- inishing the supply of fresh water, and it will be an immense relief to me when the supply is made adequate for all purposes.
I have the honour to give a list of the places where the fire despatch boxes are now located, and in conclusion to report that the officers and men have throughout the year given every assistance in the suppression of tires.
I attach copy of Mr. KINGHORN's report on the state of the engines.
I have the honour to be,
The Honourable J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,
Acting Colonial Secretary.
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
H. E. WODEHOUSE, Superintendent, Fire Brigade.
List of places where Fire Despatch Boxes are located.
1. No. 1 Police Station.
2. Engine House in Wanchai Road.
3. Engine House in Albany Street.
4. Royal Naval Yard.
5. Government Offices.
6. Government House.
7. House No. 7, Queen's Gardens.
8. Clock Tower.
9. Central Fire Brigade Station (3.) 10. Central Police Station.