SEQUEL TO SHIP'S FIRE. INQUIRY INTO POLAVEN
OUTBREAK.
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7TH, 1916.
look for Mr. Neave he went towards the SMALL-POX IN HONGKONG.
engine-room, but was unable to go down owing to the smoke and flames. Water was first played on the lames three- The inquiry was resumed at the Hong-quarters of an hour after he had given kong Marine Court yesterday into the the alarm. He could not say whether cause of the fire which occurred on the there were any dock loses on the wharf; 8.8. Puluren when at Kowloon docks on he supposed there were. Nothing was
done to the ventilators before the arrival. of the late Captain of the Polaren
November 2nd, ga
The Court was composed of Commander Commander Gibsoni, Beckwith, 1.N., B.N., Capt. Walker (8.8. Krangtung) and Mr. Macdonald (Government Marine Surveyor),
At this point Mr. Looker entered a protest. He said that in view of the questions he must remind the Court thist its sole function was to inquire into the He was At the outset Mr. Looker (for the causes and origin of the fre Hongkong and Whrampon Dick Company)|unt "prepared with any evidence with said he had gone into the evidence, and regard to the steps taket, and he objected from what he had discovered it scomed to the Court entering with any deter to him that amongst the members of the mination as to what steps were or were Core shuld be sousone of engineering not taken to put out the fire. That was experience. Therefore, he was going to outside the scope of the inquiry, and he suggest that the Court shunta adjourn to would ask for a formal decision on the ępable sumebody connected with engineer, point if it were necessary. before he ing to be appointed to the Court, went further. It was not au rdinary fire on a ship at sea, and inasmuch as the cause might bereafter be decided by jury he thought it was improper for that Court and he used the word improper in the strongest terins to question on those lines.
Comm. Beckwith said he anticipated such an application, and the Government Marine Surveyor had been appointed by the Government to forms one of the
Court..
Comm. Beckwith. Then I fail to sco what the Court is here-för- unless we are to find out the cause of the fire,
FORTY-FOUR DISEASED PEOPLE
DUMPED IN THE STREETS. There were five cases before Mr. CD. Melbourne, at the Hongkong Magistrace Westerday, in which Chinese were charged with concealing people suffering from small-pox,
SPORT. YACHTING.
ROYAL HONGKONG YACHT CLUB.
The results of the second of the series. Handicap, One Design, and Heyward of Club Championship Races for the Hays and Gael Classes are as follows i
BRIAN HANDICAT CLASS Course-Channel Rocks (P) Kowloon Rock (1) Mark Boat on Starting Line Mr D W Trotman (Head of the) Chanur Rocks (P) Kowloon Rock
(P). Distance 8) iniles, Sanitary Department) appeared to prose.
Heap on Finishing Corrected
Course.
Time cute, and all the defendant, plended
MES h. & ignorance of the law,
Scratch ·D.N.S.
401
You-16
Dr. McKenny spoke to making the veroin tificates in each. showing that the people found were suffering from small-
502.
Trapitebor Taylor, of the Sanitary De partment, said the infected subjects were children in every case except one, this being a married woman.
Dr. Woodman, speaking us to the pre valency of stall-pox in the western dis trict, said that during the last month there had been 93 cases af small-pox, of which 44 were found dumped in the street and 23 more were only reported after the area in which the defendants lived. death. Sixty-five of these casey came from
Defendants all denied knowledge of the fact that they bad, to report the cases, some saying, they had only been in the Colony for a short time,
Mr. H J. Heck, answering Mr. F. C. Jenkin representing the Asiatic Petroleums Company, owpers of the vessel), said he was 4th engineer on the Poturen, and was on board when the fre occurred. This was when the vessel was alongside the wharf of the Kowloon docks. Witness had been employed on the Poluren for thirteen months, and therefore knew the geography of the engine-room. At the time the ship as far as he know, was in the hands of the dock company for repairs. There were Chinese workmen, and they were under the supervision of Mr. Forsyth, of the
Frank W. Richardson, an apprenticely dock company.
On November 2nd he in the Kowloon Dock Company, said he avached the Folaven about 7.20 a.m., and, was given the job to take away changing into a boiler suit. went down which might be stolen from the Polaven.. to the engive-room, where he saw Home He was assisted by another person Chinese workmen employed on the fun named Coelho. A fortnight before the engines and the cylinders. The men are he went into the engine-room of the engaged on the engine fans were working vessel, having a candle as illuminant, by candle light. Whilst in the engine-The store-room door, he noticed, was 100m, and be was there for a quarter of open. He saw a tank three-quarters full an hour, he saw no signs of fire. Subse of cotton waste; mixed waste, new and quently, au Eurasian watch in the old. Near the tank was a bench which employ of the dock company came to him was filthy and greasy. A week later he and runde a report to the effect that there was again in the engine-room, and the was a fire in the engine room of the contents of the room were the same as
before. vessel. As a result of this report he went to the door of the steering-room, from
By Mr. Jenkin-Be did not think where he could see into the cagine room, candles were dangerous in an engine-room He saw flames in the region of the fan if they were properly and carefully used casings, the flames being fairly herce He thought it was an extraordinary thing He saw no fire anywhere else; neither did to have a fire on the boat. He had not he see any workmen. Witness despatch-formed any opinion about the cause; it ed the watchman for Mr. Neave, the may have been due to carelessness. superintendent of the dock company. The store-room, added witness, contained from five to six cases of bil, or about 300 gallons. From the position be was in he would have been able to have seen fire in the store-room if it were in the lower area, but he did not see auy fames. The dimensions of the firo were -about-two or three feet around the shaft: thero was very little smoke...
Mr. Looker-You are here to inquire
Mr. Tratman said the evidence of Dr. into the cause and origin of the fire, and Woodman showed that the cases mero you are not to attempt to go further, I about as bad as they could possibly be think it is mutaide the power and function There were a great number of dumped of the Court to determine a question cases, and it was impossible to cope with affecting other people's rights, however an epidemic if it were kept secret in this useful they might think it. This Court fashion. Had it not been for more or is bound by its function, and that sole less accidental visite, al, these cases would functions to inquire into the cause and have still been spreading infection. origin of the are.
The fifth defendant, who was apparent- a wealthy man, was Aned 850-the maximum penalty-and the others were gear fined $25 each,
2
..
A
Alfred Tucker, bead watchman at the docks, said that when the alarm was raised he turned out the coolies with the fire hose, and ran towards the ship. lot of smoke was coming from the engine- room, but he could not locate the fire There had been watchmen on board and in the engine-room.
A Chinese fitter, who was on board the boat, with two other Chinese, for the purpose of disconnecting the fan-engine, denied that candles were used for this purpose.
HONGKONG MAGISTRACY.
THEFT OF A BASKET.
Sentence of six weeks' hard labour was passed upon a Chinese charged with the theft of a basket which contained 57 and some clothing. The basket belonged to a man who was about to leave for Canton...
IKON.
of
Two Chinese were charged with being in unlawful possession of a quantity pig-iron. One of the men was discharged, and the other was fined $10, with the alternative of fourteen days' imprison meat.
· BANISHEE'S PEPPER.
(3) (2) Kolla
4 03 50
4.03 41
14 07-18
404.07 30
703440-24
8
Time.
m, S.
4:00 33 3 38:34
4:00 51
INTIMATIONS
LANE,
CRAWFORD & Co.
JUST
ARRIVED
SPLENDID SELECTION OF
EIDER DOWN QUILTS
Yacht
Time
Jessica Aileen...... Colleen Kathleen Buccaneer.
Position
250 540
4.01 30
www.
4:01 58
4 48.194
Points for ruce Points to date
Jessien
Aileen Colleen
HIGH
CLASS
WORK.
h. m. a.
4 34:39
PRICE
455-34
4 38 68:
4403
(5) Kathleen..
(6) Buccaneer.
Dlong ........
BANNER ONE DESIGN CLASS
Coursa-Lyemun Beacon (P) Kowloon Rock (Fy Mark Boat in Quarry Bay (8) Distance 8 miles.
Yacht
H'cap. on Course Finishing time
Ailsa....... Bonita ..... Daphne.. Haleyon...... Position
(1) Daphne (2) Ailes
Halcyon
(4) Bonita...
Scratch
Points for rave Points to date
10
"HEYWARD HAYS AND GAEL CLANS. Course:-Lycan Beacon (F) Kowloon Rock (P) Mark Boat in Quarry Bay (8). Distance 8 miles.
Yacht Handicap Finishing Carreeted
on Courso
MS. Lysboth... Suratch Owl....... Laily Ursula Tabontia owes 40 Thecla...receives 40
Dawn......
11
11
time
time
h. m. 8.
h. . B.
4 54 21
6 11 20
6 13 of
5 13 45
12 ba
454 21. DNS. 11261 D.N.S.
5.12 15
25 26 24:40
Points to date
Toinnette 40%
Pontion Points for race (1) Lysbeth (2) Dawn (3) Thecla (4)
Tabantia. Toinnetto... Owl.
Lady Ursola
The results of the first of the series of Club Championship races for Cruisers of Chinese and English rig are as follows:--
CHINESE EIG,
time
Handicap Finishing Corrected on"course time
J. S. h. m. 3..
D.N.S. 4.11 35
h. m. s.
4 03 85
017-39
5/09 502
4.25 48
8:57 46
DNS.
Yacht
Miranda ....... Scintoli
8.00 Denone Scotongden 8:00. Dorothy II 28 00 Lady Godiva, 50 01
Position Points for race Points to date (1) Dorothy II (8) Genenu
(3) Bootongdene, 3
Miranda
Lady Godiva
4
ENGLISH BIG. Course:--Hongkong. Island board). Distance 24 miles.
Handicap Finishing Yucht
on courag
M. S. Feathers... Boratch Irene.......... 8:00 Queen Bes.. Vesper ...
448·56 4. 34:50 Position Points for race Points to date (1) Feathers.. (2) Vesper ...
-- Queen Boe Irene ......
A Chinese was charged before Mr. C. D. Melbourne, with possessing pepper for an unlawful purpose, he being found in Robinson Road. On this cliarge he was discharged, but as it was proved that the man had been previously banished and, t for returning he was sentenced to twelve months hard labour and four hours' stocks,
CORRESPONDENCE.
to
con-
8.00 8:00
3
THIS DESIGN IS ONE OF MANY
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LANE, CRAWFORD & CO.
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$4.50 per tin
No. 3, Large Size
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Correcte
time
m. 8.
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of 100 of $2.30
D.N.S
D.N.S.
per tin of
Duty: Paid.
The
most
popalar
Egyptian.
ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL,
2ND DIVISION,
83RD COY, R.GA, . STAFF AND DEPARTMENTS.
The gunners were distinctly unlucky to lose this match, which took place on the their Navy Ground, yesterday, but
goalie let them down very badly. The Staff were set to face a rather strong. sun, and went straight down to their objective from the kick-off, but May put the ball behind. The 83rd Coy, quickly brought it to the other end, from the goal kick, and Pritchard was called upon to save, which he did, by kicking clear. Steele tried a shot for the Stan but Rossiter saved, and the gunners got to the other end in fine style, where Clutterbuck bad hard lines, just heading the ball over. The Artillerymen were now pressing very hard, and had a couple of good chances to open the scoring, but while they were muddling in the goal mouth, Pritchard rose to the Darricott
HAND-MADE IN Catro.
HONGKONG CIGAR STORK GRECO-EGYPTIAN TOB4000 Brons. ANGLO-EGYPTIAN TOBAGOD STORE.
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KELLY & WALSH, LAD.
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A. S. Watson & Co,
[1004-1
Powell
Answering Mr. Looker, witness said he need not have seen any Chinese leaving the engine room when he was looking at
We have received, for favour of the fire; they could have got out by way
Replying to Mr. Jenkin, this witness publication, a letter signed A Loyal protesting against some Portuguese, of the stokehold in a few seconds, without said he did not know if there were a lot comments passed by one of our being nippy." Witness passed the fan of candle ends in the engine-room. temporaries upon the decision of the
Portuguese Government to establish when he went down into the engine room, Another Chinese who was working on
Portuguese school in Hongkong. We would and there were then two or three workmen board, said that when the fire broke out point, out to our correspondent that his engaged on it. He was quite sure there he heard a loud explosion, like a bomu, protest ought properly to be addressed to the paper to whose comments be takes was no electric light bulb immediately proceed from the store-room. Smoke exception. By following that rule ho
will be able
reach precisely over the tan. There was no electric light came out thickly from the engine-room the same community that read those in the engine-room, but it was on the directly after the explosion.
comments. We mention this because the port side. This light may have been
occasion and cleared well. Mr. Looker remarked that the inquiry practice appears to be very general in shifted to the vicinity of the fans, but was for ascertaining the cause of the fire, Hongkong of using the columns of one opened the scoring for the Staff with a
newspaper to attack opinions expressed in if it was there it was not illuminated. and it could not possibly be conducive to another. The idea prevails, apparently, should undoubtedly have saved. It ap
good shot, but one which the custodian m Witness said he used to carry a candle that object to discover whether or not that the editors of the papers here are peared to be going straight towards him,
not fair-minded enough to publish about in the engine room; it was the a man came up before or after the fire criticisms of the views expressed in their when he lifted his leg and let it pass underneath. The second goal, which isual thing to do. He did not inform His friend's sole object seemed to be to journals either by themselves or their also fell to Darricott, was an even more correspondents. On behalf of the Press unsatisfactory one, the ball being shot anyone connected with the dock company anddle him (Mr. Looker) with the re-
we resent this aspersion. Readers weakly towards the side, where it ap that there was oil in the store roomsponsibility for the fire,
opinions are always welcomed so long as peared to curl round the post into goal, they are free from abuse.-ED. H.D.P.] with Rossiter standing watching cans. Above the store-room was a coal- Mr. Jenkin-Yes, and my friend's
There was no further sscoring before bunker containing about 200 tons of object is to keep it from us by putting
the whistle sounded for the interval.
The play was fast in the second half, woal, which he thought was Welsh coal, ruen up to tell lics about fetching
the ball travelling from end to end very and was, he thought, taken in at Malte spanners and so forth.
Darricott for the Staff, at quickly. Pat was a witty young recruit, who was centre forward, played a ne forcing ander two months previous to the out A third atter spoke to hearing a "noise taking instruction in marksmanship. The game, and was ably assisted by Davies break of the fire. It was probable that like a bomb" proceed from the store squad had finished firing, Pat was who made him some splendid openings brought to task for his poor shooting, and for him. The only goal in this half went there was coal in the bunker previous to room, when he was engaged on the fan- told that he must do better at the next to the gunners, Emall scoring with a very the Malte supply being added. In addi- engine. Flames, the height of a man, distance; there were to be seven rounds neat shot. Result-Staff and Depart tion to the 200 gallons of oil, they also came from the store-room, and some of of quick firing
"Now, Pat," the sergeant told him, ments 2, 3rd Coy. R.G.A. 1.
Referee Mr. Wright. had some kerosene, having taken in the flames "fell on top of him"; in the "fire at target No: 5. Falbanged away, 30 gallons at Perim. There was about shape of pieces of wood. The wood fell and hit target No. 4 seven times an three feet between the top of the store from the store-room, and was freshly lit, **What target did you aim at?" asked room and the bottom of the coal-bunker.and there was also a strong smell of the irate officer.
"No. 5, sor" answered Pat. There was also a supply of new cotton kerosene The fire, ho added, was a very
And you have hit No. 4 every time." "Bedad, sor,
retorted Fat,
Sure, waste in a tank in the store-room
would be a grand thing in war.
might aim at a private and hit s gin'ral
fierce one.
Replying to Commander Beckwith, The hearing was adjourned until
Witness said that after he had gone to Friday at 10.30 4.2.
VALUABLE INACCURACY.
succession.
I
CLUB. NAVY.
0.8 LEAGUE.
To be played on the Club Ground an Saturday, kick off at 4 pm, Club Goldenberg Black and McCubbing Railton, Stewart and Rodger; Robin son, McTavish, Smith, Chassels and Stalker.
TELEPHONE 348
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SQUARES. BLANKETS.
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