333
G.C.H. COMMENDED
Continuation
"We desire to express our deep sympathy with the relatives of the forty-two who are known to have lost their lives and with the forty-six who are known to have suffered injury in this disaster."
The Coroner: I think that concludes the case. It remains for me to thank you, gentlemen, very heartily for the care and attention you have devoted to this case and also for the extremely perfect way in which you have collaborated with me. I have the pleasure to inform you that on my application, His Honour the Chief Justice is pleased to exempt you from Jury service for a period of three years. The inquiry is closed.
SEVENTEEN HEARINGS
The gasometer explosion occurred on May 14. The inquiry which was commenced on June 5, was concluded on July 5, after seventeen hearings. Expert witnesses who gave evidence during the hearing were: Mr. W.A. Butterfield, Superintendent Engineer of the Asiatic Petroleum Company, on behalf of the Government; Mr. J.G. Charlton, Assistant Government Marine Surveyor, Professor C.A. Middleton-Smith, Professor of Engineering at the Hongkong University; Mr. L.J. Blackburn, a former general manager of the Hongkong Gas Company and Mr. W.J. Baker, general manager and chief engineer of the Shanghai Gas Company.
Mr. W.A. Mackinlay, of Messrs. Deacon, appeared to watch the interests of the Hongkong Gas Company, and Mr. W. Brown, of Messrs. Hastings & Company, represented the interests of certain owners whose property was damaged.