216
The mobility of the Brigade at the Central Fire Station has been materially increased by the acquisition from Messrs. MERRYWEATHER & SONS of a quatricycle despatch box by means of which 4 firemen can transport themselves and 600 feet of hose and the necessary appliances to the scene of a fire in a very short time.
There has not yet been sufficient opportunity to thoroughly test the usefulness of this machine, but it has already proved of service and ought to be a valuable aid to the Brigade.
10. The shelters for despatch boxes referred to in paragraph 7 of my report for 1898 have proved useful. The telephones fixed at certain points as described in paragraph 8 of the same report have not been availed of by the Public as yet.
11. No addition has yet been made to the ladder supply of the Brigade. I have been in com- munication with Messrs. MERRYWEATHER & SONS, and with their Agents in the Colony, on the subject of ladders, but have found it impossible to decide on what type would be most suitable for the peculiar conditions obtaining in this City.
The assistance of Mr. WODEHOUSE, C.M.G., for many years Superintendent of the Brigade, is now being sought to inspect the various patterns of ladders at home and to make a selection from among them.
12. The conduct of the Brigade during the year has been good.
The Honcurable
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
F. H. MAY, Superintendent of Fire Brigade,
1
List of Places where Fire Brigade Despatch Boxes are kept.
Government House.
1 Box. No. 1 Police Station.
2 Boxes.
3 Boxes. Engine House at No. 2 Police Station. 1 Box. Naval Dock Yard.
1 Box.
1
+
1
Clock Tower.
1
"
97
1
Government Offices.
1
**
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>
1
11
No 7 Queen's Garden, Engineers' Mess.
1
1
Central Police Station.
1
2
1
1
1
}}
1
No. 7 Police Station.
Bonham Strand West, at West End. Gas House, West Point.
Fat Hing Street, at Queen's Road West. Ko Shing Theatre.
Government Lunatic Asylum.
Nam Pak Hong Fire Station. Man Mo Temple.
Wellington Street at Lyndhurst Terrace. 2 Boxes. No. 5 Police Station.
Government Civil Hospital.
Staunton Street at Sing Wong Street. Water Lane at Queen's Road Central.
1 Box.
1
Kennedy Town Hospital.
Collinson Street.
No. 463 Queen's Road West.
List of Telephones to which the Police can have access to communicate with Central Station
in the event of a
Hongkong and China Gas Company, East and
West Point, from 7 A.M. to 9 P.M.
Tung Wá Hospital, Po Yan Street.
Man On Insurance Office, Queen's Road West.
Fire breaking out.
Hongkong Hotel, Praya Central.
Royal Naval Yard, Queen's Road East. Mr. J. KENNEDY's, Causeway Bay.
Electric Light Company, Queen's Road East.
Hongkong, 8th January, 1900.
SIR,I have the honour to forward herewith a report on the state of the Government Fire Engines for the year ending 31st December, 1899.
STEAMER NO. 1.
(Floating Engine by Shand and Mason.)
This Engine has been three years in service; it has done good work at fires during the year. During the month of August it was laid up for a general overhaul and inspection; several small repairs were found necessary; the hull, engines and pumps are all in good order and condition.