FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1929.
FIRE ENQUIRY
EVIDENCE ON THE TIRE APPLIANCES.
MANAGER'S EXPERIENCES
this manner every two or three days at a time. He agreed that that made the stairs more in- flammable. The stairs were inade of hard wood. W
CHEFOO'S DEFENCE
FOREIGN OBSERVER SEES
THE CHINA MAIL,
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HONG KONG BENEVOLENT
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70 or 80 pieces of band CONCERT of Light Music music on Stubba Road on Sunday will be held in the Hall of communicate with Y. H. Wong, afternoon, March 17Owner may Helena May Institute at 5.30 Lingnan Branch School, Stubbs m. on TUESDAY, April 16, 1929.
THE "FRONT”. Electric Wire Fused
NATIONALIST MORALE Answering another question by When the King Edward Hotel the Coroner, witness said that
Chofoo, Yesterday. fire inquiry was resumed at the about a year ago au electric wire
George Krainukov, representing Central Magistracy, yesterday fused near the stair. The hydrant Paramount News, yesterday visit- afternoon, before Mr. E. W. was not used and the wires were ed General Liu Chen-nien's front the Hamilton and a Coroner's jury, cut as soon as the fusing was line at Kangyu. He reports having Mr. J. H. Witchell, manager of noticed. Shortly before the dis-seen excellent defences to repel Tickets, $2 each, may be obtain- the hotel, continued his evidence, aster on March 11, a settee in Mr. the advance of the anti-National-ed from Members of Committee, at and described how General and Henderson's room on the fourth ists and that up-to-date trenches the Anderson Music Co., Lee House Madame Chan Ming-shu effected floor (No. 403) was set on fire by stretch to the sea behind a network Street, and at the Helena May their escape,
means of a cigarette. That also of land-mines. Every precaution Institute. Mr. Witchell said that after he was soon put out and his family got to the-bottom of the stone steps on the ground floor, they looked for a place to ed by the witness as being on fire, 1,000 cavalry stationed at Kangya, get out.. He did not expect to see Mr. Witchell said that that lug-all well-equipped with arms and the ground floor gate open and on gage was quite usual arriving there he was told by a Sergeant that the basement door was open. The watchman should. have the key to that door.
is taken to prevent the Norther Dealing with the luggage on the bottom of the stairs, describers' advancing on Chefeo. There are at least 2,000 Infantry and
HONG KONG CRICKET CLUB. TENNIS TOURNAMENT
to weather and
The Corotier: What is your annuition, huber of teath-round conditions, the follow-
the infantrymen hav-CUBJECT: theory of the fire?
mortars and machine-guns.
ing dates have been fixed. Apparently General Liu intends
Witness: I had formed no theory. I think that if it did start By the Coroner: Witness knew from the staircase it was the fault that the stone steps were the. of, had wiring.
Answering Mr. Hin-shing LoChang Tsung-chang.
that he only practical fire escape to the; building, but confessed that he his own Counsel, witness said had never given a thought to the question as to what would happen if the hotel caught fire.
Rescue by Canvas
Getting out by the basement door, witness observed that the Fire Brigade had already arrived and men were holding the canvas at the Des Voeux-road corner. He helped at one of these sheets and saw several Chinese jump. Next he went to the hydrant at the Ice House-street and Des. Vœux-road junction and from that position observed that there was a Chinese sitting on the middle of the front face of the building. Witness notified those in charge of the fire escape and the man was safely fetched down.
Next witness gave a hand at the corner near the entrance of the hotel where Madame Chan Ming-shu came down. Madame Chan climbed down from the second floor to the first by holding on to the two-inch gaps between spaces of about two feet on the wall. On reaching the first floor she appeared to be trying to climb on to the lamp and fell, getting half into the jumping sheet. 4t about the same moment, General Chan Ming-shu jumped from the second floor, hitting the ground through the jumping sheet. There was no damage whatever to the latter.
with
Road.
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THE BEN LINE STEAMERS, LIMITED.
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at their risk into the hazardous
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(Lower Half) Thursday, 28th March. is negotiating
Consignees of cargo are hereby in- Championship Doubles Semi-Final formed that all goods are being land-
el there was no ground for the sug-Generai Liu was addressing his
(Upper Hall) Tuesday, 2nd and/or extra hazardous Godowns of On the arrival of Kramnikov,
April
The Hong Kong & Kowloon Wharf and soldiers for two hours on the "Sau Championship Singles Semi-Final Godown Co., Ltd., whence and/or from Min" principles. An excellent (Upper Half) Monday, 8th the wharves delivery may be obtained.
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After getting a change of cloth- ing from Mr. Hines, witness re-gestion that he and his family turned to the scene of the fire. escaped by the roof. He did in where he met Mr. T, H. King, and fact, attempt to get at the fire. together they opened the ground Mr. Lo: Is there any police re- floor gate with a crowbar. Wit-gulation that there should be ness added that there was only periodical fire drills in your about six inches between the hotel7-Not that I know of. water in the basement and the main electric fuse.
The hotel register was taker away by witness to the St. Francis Hotel and later handed over to the authorities.
ter.
April.
cargo.
of
s plus 10 per cent. prior to the main staircase which was only Championship Singles Final Thurs-delivery of
of the a few feet from the door.
day, 11th April.
No claims will be admitted by the Over the Balustrade Championship Doubles Final Mon ward claims to the undersigned for
ship,
Consignees should however for- "I then went back again to the day, 15th April.
transmission to average adjusters verandah and whilst cogitating Members and Subscribers may Messrs. Hogg Lindley & Co., London. what to do, looked over and saw a now book seats at the Pavilion to
Insurance companies concerned please European (whom I since came to witness
note Semi-Final &nd Final know was Mr. Wentz) climbing Matches from the Stand.
All broken chafed, and damaged Goods are to be left in the Godowns over the balustrade of the veran- dah and making for the verandabing seats at the PAVILION ONLY, Goddard & Douglas,
Members and Subscribers, book-where they will be examined on the 28th inst. at 10 am, by Messrs. of the room of the Savoy Hotel on have the privilege of obtaining the other side of the party wall, tickets at REDUCED prices,
All Goods remaining undelivered "Without hesitation I followed suit. I broke open the glass door half) Open Championship Doubles
Booking for Semi-Final (Lower after the 29th inst, will be subject to of this room, which I found to be will close at the Pavilion on MON-ed
No Fire Insurance has been effect. empty, and made for the fire DAY, 25th March at 8 pm. (After
Billa of Lading will be countersign- escape of the Savoy. I found it, that date booking for this event
ed by, and going down this, I went into will be at Messrs. Meutrie & Co. a flat in the offices of the Chinese at ordinary rates). Maritime Customs. I put on a coat, a sweater and a pair of shoes, and went out again, to the scene of the fire. This was just after 3.20 am.
"I made my way to Des Voeux- road by way of the Jade Tree shop, and walked under the arcade until I reached the little shop at the corner of the lane. separating the King Edward Hotel from Alexandra Building. I crosed the road and took up a position at the end of the passage between Lane, Crawford and the Hong Kong Gas Company's shop,
Lady's Body Discovered
"I had not been there for more than three minutes talking to a Sergeant of. Police and another gentleman, when one of them Is there any regulation at all said. "Good God, what is that?" that you as manager should have pointing to an object lying in the organized periodical fire drills? gutter on the other side of the None at all.
road. We rushed over and then Witness said that as far as he saw the body of knew there was a notice regard-woman. This must have been at a European ing the fire escape in every pass 3.25 a.m. I can swear the body age, but he could not remember was not there when I crossed the in the King Edward Hotel, Mr. definitely whether it was includ-road. The body was lying very Witchell said that he knew per-ad in the regulations in every close to the edge of the curb with sonally where the fire appliances | room.
a forearm resting on the edge of|
My impression
No Chinese Instructions Speaking of the fire appliances
was
rent.
GIBB, LIVINGSTON & CO., LTD., Agents. Hong Kong, 22nd March, 1929.
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were. There was a box with a Mr. King: Have you any com-the curb. fire hose and nozzle and a hydrant plaint of the delay in the arrival that she jumped. I came to that BRITAIN AND EGYPT on each floor and the position of the Fire Brigade?-None at conclusion there and then. was easy to get hold of. It was to all.
Mr. Beswick's Evidence
7
"I picked the body up. There the right hand of the staircase ex-
were no external marks of in- cept in the case of the ground Mr. L. Beswick, who lived injuries, and no bleeding. I recog- floor, where it was opposite the Room 410 on the fourth floor of nised who it was, and I told the lift. There were no instructions the hotel, was next called.
He Sergeant there on duty that it
MR. CHURCHILL EXPLAINS AGREEMENT
INTERESTING SETTLEMENT
London, Yesterday.
STAR
THEATRE
RETURN SEASON
OF THE
BANVARD
in Chinese, as far as witness said he was awakened by the was Mrs. Robson, with whom I knew.
sound of police whistles at a time was acquainted. Looking at the The Chancellor of the Exchequer All the hydrants were sealed which he put at 2.57 a.m. Then strength of the glasses which I by the Government and they he heard someone shouting, but, observed her wearing previously, stated in the House of Commons could not turn on the water with concluding that it was a row be I thought Mrs. Robson was very that the Egyptian Government out breaking the seal although the tween sailors, turned over and short-sighted. There was no sign had ratified the financial agree- hoses could be affixed to the went to sleep again. He was of the glasses anywhere near the ment arrived at last month for MUSICAL COMEDY COMPANY hydrants without interference again awakened by the sound of body."
the settlement of financial: ques with the seal. No fire drills were police whistles, followed imme- Replying to the jury, Mr. tions outstanding between the diately by the clang of fire-en- Beswick said he would not go so British and Egyptian Govern. The Coroner asked Mr. King gine bells.
held in the hotel.
SATURDAY
SUNDAY MARCH 30th & 31st
if the Hotel applied for permis- witness opened the door and went but on the sight previous to the Egypt's liability for the Ottoman AND
Getting out of bed, far as to use the word "brawl," ments and, in particular, of sion to squirt water over their on the verandah. He looked out fire, there was some loose talking Guarantee Loan of 1855. The stairs, whether they would be over the balustrade of the veran and shouting going on in the Egyptian Government had agreed permitted.
dah, in the direction of the main lounge of the hotel, which, he to pay the arrears of Egypt's
tion.
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BOOKING AT ANDERSONS from 23rd March.
WHY
ICE HOUSE STREET?
Before the MODERN NECESSITY Ice was made in Hong it was brought here by ships from the North and discharged into Godowns in this vicinity, hence the name
ព
The CENTRAL SHOWROOM of
THE HONG KONG AND CHIN GAS COMPANY, LTD.
suppliers of another MODERN NECESSITY
has recently been transferred to this busy thoroughfare-(near Star Ferry),'
MAKE A NOTE TO CALL AND INSPECT THE LATEST GAS APPLIANCES No. 2 QUEEN'S BUILDINGS ICE-HOUSE-STREET
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+ KOWLOON SHOWROOM- JORDAN ROAD
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Mr. King replied that that door of the Hotel, and saw smoke might be permitted to say, "was contribution on the services of would be a matter for the Water issuing from the first and fifth indicative of inebriation on the this loan, which had been with- Authority and he thought as far floors. "I then realised the Hotel part of those taking part." Al- held since 1924 and amounted to as the Police were concerned was on fire, went back into my though these rows did not occur £328,600. They also undertook to there would have been no objec-room, looked at the door leading in the hotel as a general rule, pay the British Government an out into the passage and saw the they were not exceptional. amount to cover the service of the Mr. Witchell said in reply to play of light on the square of No. Ground for Complaint redemption. in future on the share the Coroner that some of the ser-frosted glass above the door. I
Mr. King: Apart from the fact of the loan which had been vants had been in the King then realised that the floor was that it was impossible to reach agreed at £1,336,000 That liabi Edward Hotel before he himself going.
any fire escape, have you any lity would be discharged by an joined and the appliances were "It was my intention to make ground for complaint at all?..
immediate cash payment of in the hotel when he arrived. my way to the fire escape, the
APRIL 3. Witness: No. I thought they £302,000 and 16 annual payments
IN CLOVER" No Brigade Inspection existence of which I knew, but re-realise that there is a limit to the of approximately £90,000 each. Mr. King, in answer to the treat that way was out of the length of fire escapes.
Booking Now open at Montrles. Coroner, jutimated that it was not question. The flames were much
and Theatre. Prices $4. 53, 12 and $1
In return the British Govern-
KING'S CONDITION
WALKING A LITTLE FURTHER
DAILY
STILL USING BATH CHAIR
London, Yesterday.
Mr. King Apart from that ment gave a full and final dis a practice of the Fire Brigade to too fierce, and I promptly closed have you any
charge from all claims in respect visit hotels and inspect their fire the door to cut out in some mes- Witness: None whatever. In- of that loan. appliances There was no legal sure the smoke and fire. cidentally, I should like to say In regard to other matters the obligation to do so. The Brigade “I passed through my room this. From the fourth floor Egyptian Government had agreed did so on request, or when the again out to the verandah in where I stood, the jumping sheet to make a payment of £849,000 to Superintendent thought all was order to attract the attention of that I saw brought round to the settlement of the outstanding war not as it should be. In the case anyone in Ice House-street. I saw front door of the Hotel appeared claims by the War Office. On the of new installations, these were a fire escape being erected just to to me to be about a yard square other hand, the British Govern- supervised by the Fire Brigade in the east side of the main entrance Mr. Beswick then gave his perment undertook to give Egypt a conjunction with the Water of the Hotel in Ice House-street. sonal opinion of the chances of share amounting to 464 of one per Authority.
The escape reached to about the escape as presented after the out. cent. of the British Empire re- The Coroner (to Mr. Witchell); third floor. I saw no one imme-break of the fire, stating that if parations receipts. The amount The King passed another good What your position comes to is diately under me at all, except a they had thought of it, other per due would be set off against the day. He was wheeled in a bath that you took over a going con- Chinese on the pavement on the sons on the same floor as he was amount due from Egypt on the chair into the gardens of Craigweil cern, and knowing that nothing opposite side of the street. on could have made their escape 1865 loan-British Wireless Ser- House, as usual for about an hour. had gone wrong you rather shouted out to him, and received by climbing round the party wall vice.
His Majesty walked further to-day assumed that nothing would? no reply. I then went back to into the Savoyl resume
than previously, for in addition to Mr. Witchell: Yes, that is 80,. my room, and again opened the The inquiry
walking back to the house, He walk- Questioned as to the polishing door to see if the fire had in any Monday at 2.15 pm:
ed a short distance along the sea- (wall in front of Craigweil
A small knot of people gathered
1,000,000 cases of and saw His Majesty-British
Wireless Service.
A big match factory under cons the district of
of the floors, Mr. Witchell said way abated, so as to enable me to that it had always been treated make a dash for the fire escape. Four cases of small-pox were struction- with wax, kerosene and turpen- On the second visit, the fire was reported yesterday three from Indeinopole, Karelia, is to have a on the sands ju front of the house tine. The floors and stairs had worse than before. In fact, I even Kowloon and one from the New capacity of been treated for many years, in could not see the balustrade of Territories.
matches per year.
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