THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 1929.
HOTEL FIRE
EVIDENCE BY THE BRIGADEmitted
SUPERINTENDENT, -}
continued the
THE CHINA MAIL,
3-SEATER, BOMBER DOWN AT SHEK-O
--WIDESPREAD SEARCH
ו'
"DETECTIVES 12
HILARIOUS COMEDY COMING TO QUEEN'S
POPULAR COMEDY DUO
After a widespread search, it Kar Dane and George K. Arthur, was established at about 6 p.m. two popular comedians who have yesterday that a three-senter been starred
in many excellent
NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.
A. S. WATSON & CO., LIMITED.
NOTICE.
and EASTER MONDAY, the FRIDAY, the 29th March
Witness was not in the Colony LOCAL R.A.F. CRASH when. certain plans wore sub- which resulted in the taking over of a part of the King. Edward Hotel for the purposes of UNAUTHORISED PLAS
the Savoy Hotel. It might not, have occurred to the PW.D. offi- Yesterday afternoon Mr. E. W. cer who had charge that such Hamilton and a Coroner's jury division would affect the position
King Edward of the King Edward, in that it in Hotel fire inquiry, when interest-volved the closing up of the cor- bombing aeroplane of the Royal Alms, are together again in another 1st April, all Departments will be ing evidence wits given by Mr. ridors at certain points, to estab- Air Force, which had gone up with hilarious farce entitled "Detec H. T. Brooks, Superintendent of ish the line of demarcation be other machines for exercises at 9 tives," which will be screened on
CLOSED. Fire Brigade, who deposed as to tween the two Hotels.
a.m., had come down in rough Sunday and Monday at the Queen's
On these days, In the case of the Savoy, Hotel, country on the eastern side of the Theatre according the number of appliances at the
to a special The Hong Kong Dispensary, Dis- disposal of the fire fighters and the plans were properly submit faland of Hong Kong, near Shek-advertisement in this issue. pensing Department, will be opened their use, and the number of ted to the Fire Department and
0.
The new comedy is something for dispensing prescriptions from people rescued in different ways,
approved by the Public Works
The plane was last seen at entirely new to the screen in that 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 6 p.m. At the outset Mr. J. H.
Department.
about 11 am. over Repulse Bay, the story itself is
to 7.30 p.m. a bizarre my- Witchell, manager of the Hutel
on the south side of the Island. stery thriller, the laughs being On SATURDAY, the 30th March was recalled. He said that he
Pilot Officer Somerhaugh and created by the two heroes blunder-all Departments will be open, as two others of the R.A.F. were in ing by mistake into thrills and usual the machine. On reaching mysteries, and escaping usually by -Hong Kong, 27th March 1929. ground, and finding their plane their
own stupidity. Every damaged, they took considerable straight thrill is thus anti- time to reach a point where com-climaxed in a comical episode when munication with the base at Kai the heroes of "Rookies" make an Tack. Kowloon City, could be antrange established. Hence the delay, which caused considerable" aling hotel house detective and
Powerless to Reform
It might not have occurred to knew of only three partners, the officer in charge to look up these being Yo She-sha, Foo Ping- the date of erection of the build kwong and Cheung Foo-kwong. ing. but witness was able to find He himself was a salaried sera record which showed that in vant of these partners,
1919 fire hydrants were required The Coroner: As manager, do to be installed in the King Edward you know
what insurance has by the police or fire officers.. been effected on the business of the Hotel, that being entirely apart from the structure?.
Witness: Nothing at all. How long have the present
in business? partners been For about two years and a half. Witness explained that they
By the Coroner: Witness con- viderad verandahs as advantage ous in case of fire. He gave as his opinion that there were many old office buildings in the city which had no fire escapes, but as a P.D. official, he was powerless to enforce the provision of these. The Hon. Mr. T. H. King said, took over the business from Mr. Tong Hok-ting who was then the in reply to the Coroner his in- was that they, too, lessee of the Hotel. Within the formation last twelve months, large sums were powerless to do anything in of money had been spent on the the matter except when licences building and business; in white-were issued, and then they could, washing, renewing all the bots, in a way, mforce the measure by and the conversion of four double withholding the licence until rooms into single rooms.
such provision had been carried out.
course."
xiety.
Dane plays the part of a blunder-
Arthur a bellboy who wants to be a sleuth. Marceline Day is the Moran, Clarence Lyle, Kgo Mai heroine, and Tenen Holtz, Pally and others of note are in the sup-
Other machines were sent out, some flying low, in endeavours to trace the bomber and beth H.M.S. "Somme" and "Sepoy" of the 8th Destroyer Flotilla were engaged porting cast. in the search.
Elaborate Pilot Officer Somerhaugh and
Bettings, including his two companions escaped with lavish detail were especially built underground caverns and other only slight injuries.
for this splendid production.
BANNING OF “SHIVA”.
CRICKET.
UNIVERSITY ELEVEN FOR SATURDAY
а
ENTRY PROHIBITED INTO INDIA
London, March 11. In the House of Commons, re
entry
The following will represent the University 2nd XI in friendly match against the Hong plying to questions, Earl Winter- Kong Cricket Club on Saturday, India had prohirited the
ton said the Government of at 2 pm. at Pokfulam.
T. Hiptoola
ames Minney's (Captain), A into India of Baker, S. R. Karmani, H. T. book "Shiva or he Future of Barma, A. Chan Fook, A. A India" because it dealt with cer- Aziz, H. E. Adams, C. Candahtain Indian subjects in such a Mr. H. T. Brooks, Superinten-F. Fernando, A. Rodrigues, and manner as to cause much justi-
Fire Brigade Work
No Official Knowledge Mr. A. E. Wright, Assistant In the witness's opinion. there Director of Public Works, and should have beer an extra fire Building Authority, said that he escape ladder leading to the knew nothing of such alterations. street outside from the King "Plans had to be submitted, of Edward Hotel. He considered the present stone steps unsatis- Mr. Witchell said that he knew factory; they should be separated four months ago that the part-from the lavatories and servants ners had been served with a quarters. notice by the landlords, terminat- ing the lease, but no decision was reached. They held a monthly dent of the Fire Brigade, stated A. Normanboy. temancy and apparently it was a that a call from the Hong Kong question of getting the rent Hotel tire alarm was received on paid. A guarantee was given March 11 at 3.06 a.m. and No. 8 that it would be paid by the stipa-motor pump, in charge of one lated time.
sub-officer and seven Chinese fire- men, left the station within one minute.. No. 11 Fire Appliance under European Officer Smith, to gether with one Chinese sub- officer and nine fire-men, left a minute 'later.
By Mr. Hin-shing Lo (witness' Counsel): The rent was paid advance, but on that date it had been left half in arrears. When payment was made it covered the arrears as well as left a balance to cover in advance half a month's tenancy. As far as he knew, the rent was fully paid up till February.
Notice to Quit
Mr. H. C. Lee (representing the landlords): I think Mr. Witchell knows to some extent about the
fiable offence to public opinion.
It did not attempt to study the subject seriously, thus differing
..
CHURCH NOTICE
A CHARGE OF ONE DOLLAR 15 MADE FOR ALL NOTICES UNDER
*HEADING
-
THIS
ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH KOWLOON
March 29:
GOOD FRIDAY.
11 am. Morning Prayer and
Litany.
6 p.m. Evening Prayer and Ser-
mon. Preacher: The Rev.1 C. B. Shaun, M.A.
EASTER DAY.
March 31: 7.15 a.m.
8.15 a.m. Holy Communion. 11 am. Morning Prayer and
Sermon.
12.15 p.m. Holy Communion.
3 p.m. Service for Children and
Young People.
at
6 p.m. Evening Prayer & Sermon. Preacher' Morning and Evening Service will be the Vicar."
TO LET
From "Mother India." The pro- TO LET-GODOWN, 150, Praya East. ness gave orders that the turn-hibition of the book had nothingApply: GANDE, PRICE & CO., LTD. table ladder be kept ready for to do with the strictures on Gov- immediate use and that three men ernment contained in the book. be kept on the lookout for possible It contained extremely coarse rescues,
passages about Hinduism and Then witness wént to direct there could be no comparison be- the work of laying on deliveries tween "Shiva" and "Mother from each side of the road.
India."
By 6.15 a.m. the fire was well The Speaker stopped further in hand, and the stop message questions. was sent out at 6.42 a.m. and Des Voeux-road was cleared for traffe [at 7.30 a.m. The jumping sheets, said the witness. were in good condition.
FOR SALE.
SUNDAY & MONDAY
hist
DANE and
ARTHUR
SOM
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Incorporated under the Companies Ordinances of Hong Kong.
HONG KONG.
in
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DETECTIVES
THE QUEEN'S
means of the jumping sheets and FOR SALE. Wharfedale Printing two by means of the turntable Press, in excellent condition. Will AT ladders. Of those who died. Small Printing Shop. Apply Box No. take Sheet Double Demy. Useful for two were burned to death on the 504, c/o "China Mail." fifth floor, two jumped to death into Des Vieux-road and seven received multiple injuries by jumping into the sheet. total lives lost were eleven and the number of those rescued and still alive was twelve.
The
He (witness) was awakened by the fire alarm and simultaneously he was informed on the telephone by his clerk that an alarm had come from the Hong Kong Hotel. He ordered out No. 12 motor pump, which left with a Chiness sub-officer and six fremen. At Of the people saved, seven were FOR SALE-"Barkers," Sa: Wan.. A fine 4-Rocmed Bungalow with large arrears of rent. They were some the same time the turn-table lad rescued by the fire escape from Garden For full particulars apply Ronths in arrears last year, but der was sent out. The firefloat the second floor in Des Voeux-Box No. 595, c/o "China Mail," by the end of February every-left at 3.10 am. The station re-road, three were rescued by thing had been paid up. Those ceived a message showing the arrears hall been going on for locality of the fire and requesting such a length of time that the more attendance. landlords had to give them notice)
Well Alight to quit.
Witness left the station at 3.13 Replying to Mr. Hin-shing Lo, sin and at that time Mr. Mass Mr. Witchell said he did not had already left on his motor know anything about insurance cycle. On arriving at the fire he having been fettheantil after saw that the third, fourth and the fire, when, of course, such fifth floors of King Edward knowledge became common pro-Hotel were well alight. A line of perty,
hose was led into the front en- Mr. Lo: You are not responsi-trance of the hotel from ble for the payment of rent? hydrant. Mr. Moss and a num-call, witness said that Kowloon
Witness: No.
ber of men were in Ice House Business on the whole had street, engaged in what witness been a flourishing business dur- trok to be the work of laying out ing the three years 7-Yes, hoses for tackling the fire.
An Yeung-pong, a subordinate He sent a European civilian to of General Chan Ming-shu, said telephone a Brigade call to the he had been to hospital for treat-fire station. By that term wit- ment of injuries he received inness meant the calling out of all the fire, he having occupied Room possible men, appliances and 207 on the second floor.
floats in the Colony; except the When he realised that the Hotel two appliances in Kowloon. was or fire his first thought wer Next he entered the front en- to go in to the floor immediately | trance of the Hotel and went above his to warn the others of through the lounge where he saw his party.
that the staircase was on fire Half way up the stairs, he was from the top to bottom. Some of driven back by the dense smoke. it had collapsed and he saw the Returning to his room, he warned stairs from the first floor hanging a companion and together they from the walls.
Kowlbon Aid Speaking about the Brigade
sent twelve men to assist in the fire but the two appliances were not brought over owing to the necessary lighter not being avail- able.
By the Coroner: Witness always suggested a vehicular ferry for! the convenience of fire appliances to and from Kowloon.
The absence of the two appli- ances from Kowloon made no difference to the King Edward Hotel fire, but it might have done if the spread of the fire to the Savoy Hotel was not checked. If the King Edward Hotel had col- lapsed, it was quite possible that the fire would have spread to Alexandra and Prince's Buildings: It was quite possible that the officers on the first two appliances
went out into the passage, in an The firemen with the bose pre- attempt to reach the main stair.viously referred to stood as close case. It was on fire. While run- to the fire as was possible and to arrive concentrated on saving ning about in the vicinity of the played effectively on the fire to lives rather than on checking the lift-shift, feeling themselves trap- prevent it from spreading to there. ped, the lift came up and the lift- lower storeys, the first and ground man came into view. The latter floors.
gave them information as to the On emerging from the Hotel direction in which to make their witness saw Mr. Witchell who escape, but on their confessing to pointed out a person standing on an entire ignorance of the layout à stone ornamentation above the of the floor, he took them in and main entrance and in line with came down to the ground floor the third floor. Witness ordered with them.
the turntable ladder standing in By the Coroner: He was burn-Des Voeux-road to be put in posi- ed in the arms and face, and his tion and the Chinese was rescued. hair was singed from his head The height from which the man by flames which had started to was taken was 63 feet and the envelone the lift-shaft as they escape was up full height. came down.
Witness never saw anyone jump into the sheets and thought it must have been over by 3.15. am, at the latest.
The Coroner: Any remarks on the pressure of water?
Witness: There was a good pressure of water.
Pressure of Water Continuing. Mr. Brooka said that he had not noticed any leaky hoses, and had he seen any he would certainly have had them replaced. The appliances at his disposal were quite adequate for dealing with the fire, so far as the fire fighting was concerned.
Jumping Sheets." A Party Wall
Immediately following this, he Mr. A. E. Wright submitted noticed men holding jumping certain plans in respect of cer- sheets for a person on third floor
Asked about the feasibility and tain alterations that had been verandah, who was waving some-soundness of throwing ropes effected to the structure which thing white,
across to the King Edward from was known as the Royal Building, The jumping sheet was welt Prince's or Alexandra Buildings, housing the King Edward and manned. Witness shouted to the witness said that he did not con- Savoy Hotels.
man above, to hold on a little sider such a step would have done Plans were submitted in 1927 longer and ordered the turntable any good. The people to whom by which there was approved the ladder to drive into position. the ropes might have been erection of an iron fire-escape This was done and the man (pre- thrown would probably not know ladder outside the Savoy Hotel, sumably an American) was res- what to do with them, for one and the installation of water cued uninjured. This was the thing. Another thing was the closets.
man who descended from the difficulty of getting into position. Some time or other, he con- fourth floor to the third by means to throw the rope to the higher tinued, a panty wall had been built of a bedsheet.
storeys in the King Edward Hotel
The inquiry was again adjourn
on the verandah of the fifth floor There appeared to be no other without authority...
persons to be rescued, but wit-ed
PONE
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