HONGKONG.
REPORT OF THE ACTING SUPERINTENDENT OF FIRE BRIGADE,
FOR THE YEAR 1903.
12
NC. 1904
Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government.
FIRE BRIGADE DEPARTMENT,
HONGKONG, 30th January, 1904.
SIR,I have the honour to submit the following report on the Government Fire Brigade, for the year 1903.
2. There were 49 Fires and 55 Incipient Fires during the year, as against 76 and 95 in 1902. The Brigade turned out 60 times during the year.
The estimated damage caused by Fires was $248,000 and by Incipient Fires $2,704.
3. There was only an intermittent supply of water in the mains. from 1st January to 6th May, and from 21st December to 31st December, during which period sea water was used as much as possible in order to save the fresh water.
4. One serious Fire occurred, during the period of intermittent water supply, on 4th April at No. 271, Queen's Road West, where five houses were wholly des- troyed, and the total damage was estimated at $20,000 most of which was covered by insurance.
5. Three Fires occurred in the Harbour during the year.
6. A case of attempted arson was discovered at No. 205, Queen's Road West on the morning of the 18th April by P.C. 262, WONG Ü, who raised an aların and with the assistance of the occupants of the ground floor extinguished the Fire before much damage was done. The master of the tailor's shop on the 1st floor and his wife were prosecuted for arson. The two defendants were found guilty and sen- tenced to seven years' and six months' imprisonment with hard labour respectively at the Criminal Sessions.
7. I attach a list of places where Fire Despatch Boxes are kept and of private telephones to which the Police have access in the event of a Fire. I also enclose a copy of a report by the Engineer on the state of the Fire Engines, which are all in good order.
8. A Fire Escape arrived from England on the 17th November and is stationed at West Point.
9. The conduct of the Brigade has been good.
10. The Superintendent of the Brigade, Jr. BADELEY, left for England on leave on 18th March, since when I acted for him. Mr. WODEHOUSE acted as Assistant Superintendent up to 30th November and Mr. HALLIFAX from the 1st December.
Chief Inspector BAKER, was appointed 2nd Assistant Superintendent on the 18th April in succession to Chief Inspector MACKIE, who retired on pension.
I regret to record the death of Mr. ROBERTSON, the Assistant Engineer, which took place on the 25th July. He was a very useful officer, and his death occasioned a great loss to the Brigade.
Sergeant MCSWAYED acted as Assistant Engineer up to 15th September, and Sergeant McDONALD since that date.