SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 1926.
IN THE BALANCE.
POSITION OF FRENCH GOVERNMENT.
A MATTER OF TIME.
(Reuters Service,)
*
FIRE FACTS
LOCAL COMMISSION OF INQUIRY?
CHAMBER'S SUGGESTION.
THE CHINA MAIL.
stood By, but, a few minutes If this is so, it will be seen that later fon receipt of a Brigadethe andermentioned are without message from the fire) was also any permanent Europea Station ordered on Thus all available Officers help was sent.
Hongkong Kennedy
nedy Town Wanchal
Kowloon Mongkoktaul Habout Two Fire Floats (at present).
M
ARGENTI
RELATIONS WITH LEAGUE OF
·NATIONS..
AN ECHO OF 1920
(Reuter's American Service.)
H
The Chamber also stated that It has frequently been proved that funsupervised native labour is of comparatively little value, and The Hongkong General Cham- this applies with equal force to In addition to the above, we un-f Paris, March 10 ber of Commerce has gone to con the Fire Brigade.. It was there.derstand that the Captain Suparin- The trane reached a new low siderable trouble in investigating fore asked whether the Govern-tendent of Police holds the title of
Buenos Aires, March 19; record to-day of 137.75, which is matters connected with local outment would consider the desir. Chief Officer of the Brigade, but in stated that the Argentine was Dr. Gallardo.. Poralgn Minister, attributed to the general political breaks of fire.
ability of employing more Euro. view of the fact that he was not unable to participate in the work situation. A
The Government is asked to ap- peans in the Brigade in order to in tre uniform at the Hotel Fire of the special Commission of the It is pointed out that the Govern-point. a commission of inquiry. obtain better supervision and con- we take this to be merely a nominal League of Nations on the recon- ment's big majority on the vote of From an advance proof of the troli. The Government replied post and that he cannot be looked struction of the Council until che no confidence in the Chamber of Chamber's annual report for 1925 that it is not proposed to employ upon as one of the effective Euro-Argentine Congress hud decided. Deputies yesterday, was due to the (which will be issued to members fremen, but some increase in the pean members. Socialinis supporting the Govern- on Monday) the following chapter number of European Officers may
the question of the Argentine's re- ment out of sympathy with M. on "Organisation of the Fire be necessary as sub-stations are Duties of Mr. Brooks:-
"Seems Obvious."
iations with the League which) Maley, but when findhce is again Brigade" is reproduced:
have beon 'unsettled since Decem- opened. The Government also discussed M. Briand's 200 Left and
Is It not a fact that the Superin- ber, 1920, when the Argentine! Cantre followers will be opposed;
pointed out that owing to the tendent in charge of the Brigade delegation withdrew from the by about 300 members comprising
always be difficult for the Fire as the inspection of Fire Installatojection of the Argentine proposal. configuration of the Peak it will has many duties to perform, such Assembly owing to the latter'a. the Rightists, and Socialists, who
Brigade to arrive at the scene of tions, etc., which necessitate his to admit all sovereign States, to
fire as soon after the dlarm is frequent
object to M. Peret.
It fa now questioned whether the Government will last until after
Easter.
AMERICAN AMOK.
KILLS SEX AND COMMITS. SUICIDE.
U
(Reuter's American Service.) Placerville (full), Mar. 19%.
The Peak, Outbreak. At the instance of the Fire Insurance Association of Hong keng, the Chamber, on June 8 addressed certain questions to the given as is possible in more acces.quarters? T thila. so, it seems.
absence from Head membership. Government with reference to a wile districts, and it is therefore obvious that in addition to further the which occurred at No. 5. The pst desirable that persons resid- European Firemen, an assistant to Peak, on April 28 The Governing on the Peak should protect Mr Brooks, why can take charge of ment replied on June 22, enclosing themselves in the manner custom-the Brigade In his absence; fa a report by the Superintendent of y the Fire Brigade
by country districts in urgently required answers to the Chamber's quest tincteurs on the premises.
containing England by having chemdent ex5) Native Staff- tions and the enquiries and replies may be conveniently set. forth as follows:-..
Question: In view of the
Js. It not a fact that the rank and, Ale of the Chinese Staffin; con- stantly changing, owing to the poor ness of the terms of service there. impairing the efficiency of the Brigade?
(6) Water Supply:~~ "
FLYING SAFE.
LESS DANGEROUS THAN MOTORING.
PROPAGANDA NEEDED.", .
(British Wireless Service.)
Hongkong Hotel Fire. On January 1, 1926, a large portion of the Hongkong Hotel abrence of fire fighting appliances was destroyed by fire. The Cham
Rugby, March 19... particularly chemical Fire Ex-following letter
ber on February 6 received the
Speaking at a luncheon given tinguishers and portable sealing Lowe Bingham and Matthews, from Messrs. A man named John Gon, rapiders, at the scene of the fire Secretaries of the Fire Insurance he normal pressure of water in aviation to-day that it was quite Is the Government satisfied that add that we had gone so far in in his honour Mr. Alan Cobham amok yesterday and killed five will the Government state what Association of Hongkong, regard the Mains is sufficient in view of possible for designers and air women and am at. Stockton appliances are kept on the Peaking the facilities available for the increasing number of high transport fans to make flying Ife met his death after a dramatic And whether it will consider dealing with the outbreak-
Buildings erected and in process of quite as safe as any other form of with pursuing keeping a supply of portalle chuxe. officers, firing on Goin's car, which chemical extinguishers-in re Committee to place before you for Five Insurance Association of absolutely needed as regarded
We have been instructed by our erection in the City?
transport But propaganda Was. left the mountain road near trucks at the "Peak Tram consideration the following points Eldorado and overturned!..
Hongkong: Police Station and the "Mount connection with the above fire,
Would it not be possible for the was booked upon as e
aviation So long as an aviator Gola was picked up lifeless. Gough Station?
brave Boltre and The officers assert that they
which we fee should be broughto-opurate more closely and conauit ceed. He thought that
Fire Brigada to to the early attention of the Goy with this Association as occasioning in the streets of London was hheard a shot just before the car
man aviation would never suc- swerved, and believe that
arises? Many of the Members of more dangerous. experience of fires and more par- the Committee have had long
ticularly, fire protection, and the
motor
committed suicide....
ESTATE DUTY.
AnswerFire fighting appli- Junces kept on the Peak are five Goin
NEW RULES UNDER THE ORDINANCE
The rules made by the Gov. ernon in Council under section: 23 of the Estate Duty Ordinance, 1916, Ordinance No. 16 of 1015. on March 18, are published in the "Government Gazette".
Despatch Boxes, each containing Fire Brigade
ernment..
3 to 5 lengths (eg: 300 to 500 ft)
of hose, branch pipe and stand-concerned we understand that it is So far uw the actual "Gear" is pipe for getting to work from considered to be sufficient for the Hydrants
requirements of the
2
They are allocated:-1 at Gov- ernment House (Mountain Lodge. Peak); 1 at No. 6 Police Station: fiat Mountain View; at Gough HP Police Station; 1,at Victoria Hospital
Chemical Extincteurs in Fire Trucks could be kept as suggested,
present
Colony.
ry
It is distributed over the fol lowing Stations
Hongkon Central Station, Kennedy Town and Wanchal Kowlcon:--Central Station and
Mongkoktsait
There are in addition to Fire:
but a permanent Sub-Fire Stations Floats, and we learn that a third, with small, adaptable, and up-to-und more powerful one, is "now date appliances and a few traied approaching completion.
1. Where any form as pre-firemien, as suggested in a former (2) Personnel: scribed by the Governor in Coun report, is to be preferred.
Is it not a fact that the control
Fire
cil pursuant to section 22 of the The Government informed the and care of the above mentioned Estate Duty Ordinance, 1915, all Chamber in a covering letter that grations, together with observations, instructions and it is proposed to keep chemical Flopts, rests in the hands of a marginal or other notes appear-extincteurs in fire trucks] » ing thereon for regulating, the
Figures And Facts. practice under the sadd! Ordinance." shall be supplemental to those fire engine sent to the Peak in the Question 2: Why was only one rules and shall have force and early stages of the fire, with a European Staff of the Fire If so, it would appear that the effect accordingly.
mere handful of men? It is pre- Brigade is totally inadequate and
permanent Staff consisting of three Europeans, andi approximate- ly 200 Chinese "
ment are as follows:-
2. Where any form is presumed that the presence of the our reasons for making this state- scribed as aforesaid er date on and East Surrey Regiment at the fire after which such form shall be was not known to Brigade Head used and have effect may be de-
fquarters? termined by the Governor in Council.
Answer. This is incorrect. Two Motor Fire engines (in ac-
3. The Commissioner may, incordance with Brigade Organisa his discretion, allow such modi-tion instituted here since Septem heations of the forms and pracber. 1922), tice saving only the law and despatched
were immediately practice as regards the forma receipt of call The fact that one to the fire on the ities and requirements, as to machine (the first to arrive) is a affidavits." and affirmations gen-
apeedier and later type, and better
erally, as may appear to him con- geared for climbing hills than the venient.
The prescribed forms are published in the, "Gazette."
IN THE GAZETTE.
(a) At the Fire in question, the most. noticeable feature (apart from the inadequacy' of the Water Supply at the commencement) was the lack of fire control resulting from the insufficiency of trained European firemen to see that the orders, given by Superin tendent Brooks were effec- tively carried out.
Orders were given by onlockers also the fire some few minutes earlier. the Brigade or the Police Force other, accounts for its arriving at who had no connection with either The "mere handful" of men and this serious defect would not were:-
have arisen had a larger num- applianceber of European firemen been
Mr. John. Harry Barclay Nihill
has been appointed' u Police Magis-
14 with the 1st (excluding driver).
7 with the 2nd appliance (excluding driver).
I might state that in England,
trute with effect from March 18. in London in fact, a full crew for Dr. Joseph Patrick Fehilly has the 1st appliance would have been
vailable to control the situation. Highest Praise. Please understand that the fore going is in no way intended to belittle the efforts of the Fire Brigade, as, at present constituted! or January 1 last. Working asi
been appointed to act as Health four men, including driver, and they were under heavy disabilities Offter and Inspector of Immigrants for the 2nd appliance, five men in- the result achieved is worthy of during the absence on leave of Dr. cluding driver and officer: Bagenali Harvey Mellom
the comparison is in favour of Hongkong in this respect. The presence of the officers and men of the East Surrey Regiment at the fire was not known to the
His Excelency the Governor has re-appointed, under the provisions of section 10 of the Medical Regis tration Ordinance, 1884, Ordinance No. 1 of 1881. Dr. George Dunesn Brigade until the. Erigade arrived. Ralph Black to be a Member of the at the fire Medical Board for a further term
We understand that the mag Thus the highest praise.
nitude of the Hotel Fire necessitated the bringing over to Hongkong of the only European in charge on the Kowloon side, as well as prac tically the whole of the avail able Chinese Firemen, there- by leaving the Kowloon terri- tories almost entirely unpro- tected for the period of several hours.
of three years, with effect from Question 3-When the alarm March 1, 1926.
was given, it is understood that His Excellency the Governor has the entire Brigade was practising appointed the medical officers now in front of the Hongkong Club. gr at any time hereafter perform. When these practices are being ing the duties.of Medical Officer of hold it is presumed that suitable Health, Assistant Medical Officer of arrangements are made, for con Health Medical Officer in charge (munication between the Brigade of the. Public Mortuary at Hong, and its. Headquarters? kong and Medical Officer in charge Answer.-No. The entire of the Public Mortuary as Kowloon Brigade would include Kowloon
to be medient officers for the pur-Fire Appliances as well.
pose of currying out the provisions
of Section. 18 of the Birthe and
How It Was Done?
"Deaths Registration Ordinance, ice in front of the Hongkong!
The appliances. taken for prac 1896
His Excellency the Governor has Club belong to Hongkong side appointed all medical practitioners only and at the most number only who now are or hereafter shall be four. On this occasion only three officers of the Government to be appliances were available for drill. medical officers for the purpose of Of this number two were actually carrying out the provisions of Sec-at the Hongkong Club at the time tion 6 of the Coroner's Abolition the call was received (e.g., No. 3 Ordinance, 1888.
(e)
•
In view of the area of the territory for which the Brigade is responsible; and, particularly so, as it is to all intents and purposes split into two separate divisions by the Harbour.
(d) The possibilities of a seriousl
conflagration in the heart of the city, as illustrated by the fire in question, or among the Wharves and Godowns on the Kowloon side or at West Point. Had there been a strong wind blowing at the time. It is highly probable, in our opinion, that the fire would have assumed even more serious proportions. Machine from Wanchai and No. 4 (3) Distribution of Personnel: from Kennedy Town)
The present European Staff de No. 6 Appliance (the first we understand distributed as machine that arrived at the fire) follow It is ordered that the provisions was about to leave. Headquarters of the Rents Ordinance, ahall not at the moment the call was re apply in the case of the domestic ceived and in proceeding to the tenement known as No. 89, Gagere passed the Hongkong Club Street, standing on Section G of and ordered No & machine on Inland Lot No. 13:
No.4, machine returned and
Hongkong Central Station Superintendent. Brooku and Act; Ing Station Officer Cardon, (seconded from the Police.)RA
Kowloon Central Station:- Station Officer Saunders,
motor
benefit of such experience would be immediate increase in the per-
gladly given if any useful purposes:manent European Personnel of the could be served thereby..
Fire Brigade.
The Chamber has approached the Government with the suggestion that. a. Commission of Inquiry 'into the local Fire Bridge organisation be appointed....
In conclusion, we pre instructed to add that our Committee request your Chamber to strongly urge the Government's consideration of the xen obvibus necessity for an
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