Page
"KING EDWARD
FIRE.
THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13th, 1929.
HOTEL
EUROPEAN VICTIMS KOWLOON RESI
OF HOTEL FIRE.
f.
TWO MORE BODIES FOUND IN RUINS.
DANGER OF INTERNAL COLLAPSE.
MR. ENOS SETH'S ROOM.
I paid a further visit to the King1 Edward and Savoy Hotels yesterday evening, writes a Daily Press repre and the lower doors of the Savoy were almost dry.
FUNERAL OF MR. AND MRS,
D. J. ROBSON.
MILITARY HONOURS
ACCORDED.
Naval and Military establish- ments were represented at the fimeral of Mr. and Mrs. D. J. Robson, two of the Europena victims of Monday morning's King Edward Hotel fire disaster, at the Protestant Cemetery, Happy Valley, yesterday afternoon.
DENTS' ASSOCIA- TION.
SUB-COMMITTEES APPOINTED.
THE £10,000 CON-
TRACT CLAIM.
JUDGMENT FOR DEFEN
DANTS.
MR.
JENKIN'S ARGUMENT ON TERMINATION OF CONTRACT.
sentative. No hoses were running Ma, who had been reported missing Own Scottish Borderers under Rlowing new merabars to the Com{ of £10,000 sterling in London. The
The Sanitary coolies, who had worked tremendously hard on the previous day, were not in evidence, Upon making inquiries I received the information operations had been suspended owing to the danger of a collapse of some of the internal floor sup
ports.
A bring party from the King's S, M. Parkinson and Sergt. Bar ham joined the funeral procession present members of the Scottish at the Monument. There were also Company of the H.K.V.D.C., Capt. Morrison representing Lieut. Col. dant of the Corps, other officers and non-commissioned officers present being Lieut. MacKenzie, Lieut. Forsyth, Lieut. Dunena, C. S. M. Brown, Sergt. Fletcher and Sergt. Saunderson
CORONER'S INQUIRY.
Chinese Naval Captain surnamed The Police report adds that
for a considerable time, was seen alive on Monday evening.
It was learned at the Central Magistracy yesterday morning that a Coroner's Inquiry will be held by Mr. E. W. Hamilton, and a Jury, that searching a Friday afternoon into the death. Bird, Desenho Comman
of Mr. William Woods At this inquiry an opportunity will taken to go into the various aspects of the entire affair although, as in the eases recently of the Hsin Wah disaster, and of the Race Course catastrophe eleven years ngo when 600 people lost their lives, the in- quest will only be on one body.
There is no likelihood of un oficial report of the fire being available for some days.
RUMOURS DISCREDITED. "That is all that remains of Mr. Seth's room," said & P.W.D. official, pointing to a twisted heap of rusted ironwork which supported' one corner of the charred floor. There was a heap of rubble in the corner and the scorched remains of some furniture.
I great steel beams were twist ed and torn like that by the heat," he went on," what chance would a man have if he was cus off? The heat was so intense that a, body would be completely incinerated. Beyond & stroy piece of burnt bone, I don't suppose we shall discover anything up here.
The technical side of the work of the Fire Brigade has become a watter of considerable importance in view of the heavy destruction and loss of life caused by the disaster.
The Superintendent of the Fire Brigade, Mr. H. T. Brooks, was in- terviewed by Presa representatives. Mr. Brooks said that the alarm was received from the fire alarm box On the fourth Aoor, it is at the Hong Kong Hotel comer, at
pos- sible that a body may be found,' 13.06 a.m. and within two minutes of
We descended to the fourth floor. the receipt of the call, two appli- aners were on the scene. The first to MORE REMAINS FOUND.
connect up with the hydrant was No. "Just where the floor has collap 8 pump. It also brought an escape sed over in that corner there are which was immediately wheeled into one or two fallen half-burnt joists position at a point where European and pieces of damaged furniture. I inmates of the Hotel were waiting regard that as likely spot. I on the second floor verandah. · think, if we find any human remains at all. we shall find them over there."
I saw the remains of the room from which Petty Officer Phillips made his sensational escape by
re-
swarming down knotted bed sheets, In an adjoining room stood a small dressing table balf of which was practically burnt away. Two glasses Alled with very
beer stood on it.
Search in the ruins was sumed later, and in the debris of the room which Mr. Seth occupied, kuman remains, charred beyond all recognition, were discovered late in the afternoon. They were carried. very reverently down to the foyer of the Savoy Hotel, placed in a coffin and removed to the public mortuary.
Identification is quite impossible
and it is even doubtful if the re
CT
Assistant
costs, was given yesterday in the Judgment for defendants, with Supreme Court in the case in which the Banque Industrielle de Ching claimed against Tuen Kes Hong for 811,554.75, damages for breach of an
Potter, K.C., appeared, successfully exchange contract for the purchase. defence, for whom Mr. Eldon
pleaded that the bank broke the insolvent on July 2nd, 1921, which contract by closing its doors when was the month during which the contract was current.
STAR FERRY APPROACH.
The first monthly committee meet- ing of the newly elected committee of the Kowloon Residents' Associa tion took place on Monday evening at 8.30 p.m. in St. Andrew's Church Hall, the chair being taken by Mr. C. M. Manners, O.B.E., Fresident of the Association.
mittee:-Messrs. W. J. Brown, The Chairman welcomed the fol-
Lai Im To, E. Tregillus, W Goldenburg and Capt. Riggs Chairman mentioned that the Yau- Arising out of the minutes the mati shelter wall had now been who had previously made the place that there was always a period in cleared of the insanitary squatters, Mr. Jenkin, for the Bank, argued a menace to public health, and a which performance of a contract hothed of disease, the old and in- must be made. It had been held that absorbed by the various Chinese firm people affected, having been the mere suspension of payment by a bank was not a breach of contract, charitable organisations. It was decided that the time was now op accepted certain bills. In any case because the liquidator might have portune to approach the Govern the shutting of the Banque Indus ment with a view to turning the trielle's doors did not carry the wall into a promenade for the pro-alleged breach any further than had vision of fresh air in such a thick the manager stood on the front ly populated locality.
steps and said he would not carry sub-committers were then appoint-
SUB-COMMITTEES:-The following out the contract.
ad—
Vice President and Hon. Seere CORRESPONDENCE:--The President,
tary
Mr. Jenkin submitted that there was nothing, on which his Lordship. visional Liquidator would not have could and that, in fact, the Pro-
carried out the bank's part of the contract by paying the money in London.
Heads of departments of H.3. Naval Yard, other members of the staff and many civilians were pre- sent. Mr. E. A. S. Hayward, O.B.E.. Naval Store Officer and bead of the department in which the deceased gentlenian served Naval Store Qficer, was the prin- cipal mourner. Among others pre- sent were Commodore R. A, S. Hill, R.N., Comdr, C. H. Fhilips. Lieut. Comdr. A. W. Chisholm Batten, Surg. Lieut. Comdr. Hunt,
BATHING FACILITIES: Captain Engr.-Capt. W. H. Michell, Mr. A. J. Ashby (Deputy N.S.O.). Messrs. Riggs, Messra. E. Tregillos and F. S. J. Heath and E. R. Robinson Stapleton.
Dealing with the point as to what (Assistant N.5.0.), Mr. Tichner
PLAYGROUNDS:Mr. either or both parties should do in (Chief Constructor), Messrs. Ma-W. J. Brown, Mr. B. W. Tape and the event of a contract being re thins, Holt, Quick, Telfer, Marlow, Mr. J. M. Alves.
garded se broken or repadiated, Bell, Marsh, Mugridge, G. T. May, STAR" FERRY APPROACH-Mr. counsel said that they had to show. F. Smith, W. E. Hollands, J. H.F. Easterbrook, Mr. E. Cock end their intention either in express Witchell, A. W. Bliss, C. Bannett, Mr. B. Wylie.
words or in some act which was H. Beer, S. F. Flegg, F. Foale, C.
Messrs. F. Now Fung and F. binding upon them, capable of clear E. Jones, Y. J. Bickford, Harrison, Stapleton were appointed to repre-establishment by proof of which Sayer and Fosset. Many ladies, sent the Association on the "Com- there could be no doubt. If nothing friends of the deceased couple, were mittee of the New Territories Agri- was done by either side, for an in- aisa present at the graveside. cultural Show and Captain T. ordinate length of time them there Laurenson on the Committee of was a right to infer that both par- the R.S.P.C.A.
ties treated the contract as being at an end
CHILDREN'S
Sudden and Intense Outbreak.
The two coins were borne to the No. 11 motor pump also got graveside by members of the Seot- promptly to work with deliveries tish Company, H.K.V.D.C., and brought in through the main en staff of the Naval Store Depart trance of the Hotel to the staircasement, the Rev. G. H. Hewitt, Naval and lift. Flames had broken out, Chaplain, conducting the service. intensively, in this central portion The coffins were lowered into one of the Hotel, and shooting upwards grave, over which the military these were making short work of party red three volleys. The the wood that represented the main sounding of the "Last Post Yaumiati Ferry, which was their constructional material of the in-brought the impressive ceremony to terior of the building. So sudden a close. and intense was the outbreak that the two topmost floors were slight by the time two other appliances pulled out of the station.
Yanmali Bus Service, that residents of Hung Hom and that as he was unable to carry out Defendant ought to have written Letters and plans pointing out
to the bank manager to the effect Kowloon City at present had tɔ the contract he (defendant) accept walk from the junction of Nathaned the renunciation. A mental con and Gascoigne Roads to reach the eclusion was not sufficient. There must be some communication or act only available ferry service after for renunciation. When defendant 8.20 p.m. were placed before the interviewed the compradare, he con- meeting. After discussion, it was eluded that the contract was at an decided to request the C.S.P. 10
Mr. Eldon Potter, K.C.. having arrange for Bus Route No. + to be end, but that was not enough. extended so as to serve the Yau- replied his Lordship gave judgment mati Ferry Wharf.
"Star" Ferry Approach.
The proposal of the authorities to utilise the levelled off "island" outside, the Star Ferry as a parking place, for busses was dis were passed to the sub-committee, with a request that they report thereon at the next meeting.
as stated
DISOBEYING A TRAFFIC SIGNAL.
mains are those of one or two per the fire-floats, the No. 1 fire-float; Accounts Office, Local Clerical Staff eussed and plans of the propos SUMMONS AGAINST MR. C. R.
SOS,
MR. SETH'S BODY?
the sea-wall,
These appliances arrived at 3.10, Mr. Brooks stated. They were No. 19 motor pump and the No. 9 turn- table ladder. As the work became more and more urgent, an order was sent through to the largest of for it to be brought into use from The No. 1 fire-float was also kept After a long search, the searchers under steam day and night, and it discovered another body in a very needed but a few seconds for it to charred state on the top floor of the King Edward Hotel in the under way from the time of the centre of the building. The body
receipt of the call
It was also found necessary to was found at about 8.30 p.m. last use the small fire-float, No. 3, which night amongst a heap of debris from arrived at 3.58 a.m. and took a the roof, and was taken to the position alongside the other float Public Mortuary for examination. Mr. T. H. King, Acting Superin. next to the Star Ferry Wharf.. tendent of Falice, and Mr. Brooks, Brigade Call Seat Out.
Concerning No. 3 float, it was
Floral Tributes, There were many wreaths from Naval establishments and from personal friends, among the many tokens being the following:-Com- modore R. A. S. Hill R.N.. Admiralty and R.N. Yard Technical Officers Association, Members of Commander of Dockyard Depart ment, Local Staff of Expense Store of Naval Store Office, Storekeeping Staff of Naval Store Department, Civil Service, Cashier and Staff, H.M. Dockyard, Civil Clerical Association, Directing and European Officers and Stuff of Naval Store Department, Con- pradore of H.M. Dockyard, Staff R.N. Armament Depot, Chief Er gineer Office Staff, S.E.E. Depart meat, All Ranks Scottish Company
Service
H.K.V.D.C., and H.K.V.D.C. Canteen.
Other matters including the speeding of motor cycles in Ham- phrey's Avenue, the condition of the footpath in Hanoi Road and the turnstiles at the "Star" Ferry Wharf were. discussed and left in Committee, and the meeting closed the hands of the Carrespondence
at 7 p.m.
WILSON.
DEFECT IN LIGHT.PROVED.
Superintendent of the Fire Brigadexplained by Mr. Brooks that as a dents in the Hotel at the time of should be sent to the Hon. Trea-fore Major C. Wilson at the Cen-
were present.
All the clothes had been burnt matter of procedure it got up steam and it was impossible to identify only after the larger emergency any of the remains. Turning the float had left. There was no ques- body over, a piece of striped cloth. tion of any avoidable delay in the ing, similar to that of a pyjama coat, dispatch of the second float. was found, protected by another piece of slack cloth, presumed to have been a coat of some sort. A number of friends of the missing Mr. Seth were present and it is be lieved that the remains may be those of Mr. Seth. "
Official Casualty Lisi,
persons killed at the fre is us under:-
From these two Boats three 4inch deliveries were led through Ice House Street and disposed at effec- tive points bearing on the seat of the fire.
The hearing of the summons against Mr. C. n. Wilson, of the Hong Kong Electric Company, who was alleged to have driven his Queen's Road East on February car from Arsenal Streat into
11th disregarding a red light stop The Deceased Couple.
Members are reminded that, sub- signal given by the traffic constable Mr. and Mrs. Robson were res acriptions for 1929 are now due and at the junction, was resumed be- the fire at 3 o'clock in the morning. sarer, Mr. E. Abraham e/o Messrs. tral Magistracy yesterday after- Mrs. Robson failed to alight on a Tester & Abrabam, Exchange noon. canvas sheet held in the street when Building, Hong Kong. she leaped from the verandah of the burning building and was killed. The body of the husband was iden tified later among the killed. They were married about three years age and arrived in the Colony in February last year from Sheerness.
YESTERDAY'S PUBLIC
AUCTION.
$333,000 FOR FOUR LOTS.
The naval authorities also assist- Mr. Robson was in the Army SOLD BY MESSRS, LAMMERTS,
Use.
during the war, and he was connect ed. with the Scottish Company of
Corp He was 'n keen football
At the previous hearing the de- fendant contended that no light was shown on his approaching the junction and suggested that the switch was not in proper working order.
Evidence on this point was called at the resumed hearing from Mr. A. E. Clark, Senior Inspector of ed with a tug which, moored on the
Works, P.W.D. Witness said that other side of the Star Ferry pier,
Four valuable leasehold proper on February 15th a report was re The official police list of the nine was able to get two small lines into the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence ties were offered for sale by public ceived that the control switch of In the meantime, what is known player and a member of the bow suction at Messrs. Lammert Bros. the signal light in question was Auction Rooms yesterday after out of order. On investigation a"! Mr. D. J. Bobson (Assistant as the "Brigade Call," which was
loon team, having represented them noon; they went for A total of loose contact was detected, which Naval Store Officer, Royal Naval sent through only on occasions of in a match a few days before his 9335,000. Mr. Lai Yiu Eau, one of was remedied by putting in a new Yard).
great emergency when every ap death.
the most prominent bidders of the switch. The red and green signals Mis. D. J. Bobson (wife of the pliance and man of the Brigado
Colony, secured three of the four then operated satisfactorily. On above).
were needed, was received at the Mr. P. Baille (French).
various stations, and the two ap: ed at 50 feet. Used against a 8201,000. Mr. Lai Tat Sam bought reported, but this was due to a elsewhere, with a length standardis lots offered, paying a total of February 3rd another fault was Stephen Kish (American), (and pliances belonging to the Wanchai building of the height of the King the other lot, at No. 280, Queen's burnt out lamp bulb. Class Fireman of the U.S.S. Mem- and Kennedy Town Sub-Stations Edward Hotel, they reached the Road Central, and No. 47, Lower After hearing this evidence, His phis).
were rushed to the scene, the first level only of the second storey, but, Lascar Row, for a sum of $74,000. Worship observed that no one had Mrs. Tauté Kam Shiu, alias Dr. arrived at 3.33 and the other at short as they appeared to be, they Bida for the first and third lots were seen the red light which the traffic Wong Yuk Ying, of No. 30, Pak Tea 3.36, according to the official log.
Positions for the effective use of were the means of rescuing no fewer limited to $1,000 each, the other constable alleged was exhibited on Road, Canton."
than seven persons in the fire;
two being at 8500 per bid. The the--approach of defendant's car, these hoses were taken up on the verandahs of Prince Building across the No. 9 turntable ladder mention- lot which rose from 8115,500 to
In addition, the Brigade posseated biggest jump" was for the first nor could the constable himself have seen the light seeing he was Ice House Street and also from the ed above, which, being 80 feet long. 8162,000 at the first bid.
standing under the signal stan- was defective at the time
Mr. Wong Kwong Leong, of Can- ton, brother of the above lady.
Mr. Cheung Hei Kang, Secretary
to General Chen Ming Shu,
Mr. William Woods (British), of
of Queen's Building. A had a higher reach than the escapes, corner
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HARMSTON'S CIRCUS
AND
ROYAL MENAGERIE
TO NIGHT At 9.15 p.m.
nearer point was gained by operat-Yet it could not reach higher than the four lots offered for salo
The following are the details of derde was clean there and the Grand Change of Programme
the W. E. Woods Co., of Wellington, ing the lines from the Savey Hotch the level of the third floor when
New Zealand, owners of the Great Wooda Peppermint Cure.
Leung Kwan, a room bey of the King Edward Hotel.
entrance..
SLIGHTLY ON WANE
of
Lot No. 1-Nos. 99D, 992 and summons would therefore be dis the topmost storey of which had brought into use. Again, this turn-F, Wellington Street, three newly missed.e become involved. In all, five motor table ladder was the means of erected four-storied Chinese shops pumps were working and he saving three other persons, one of and dwellings with basements. Up. phasised that there was enough them being a Chinese who was taken set price $115,000-sold to Mr. Lai THE SMÄLL-POX EPIDEMIC. Of the above, Mr. Robson and Mr, water pressure from the very start off from a precarious perch, clinging Yiu Kau for $162,000.
Mr. Brooks commented on certain Woods were burned to death. The others met their deaths through constructional features of the build a piece of masonry over the Lot No. No. 180. Wellington Street, three-storied: Chiness shop missing the jumping sheets in leaping pointing out that, deprived of
Where cacapes and turntable were and dwelling house with iron bal ing from the upper floor of the their principal means of escape by of no available in the endeavour to conies. The annual Crown rent is There were 37 fresh cases
the early destruction of the staircase burning building.
To these names must be added, and the passages leading into it from take of people trapped in the top 112. Upset price $35,000-sold to smallpox last week, 15 from Vic toriz, 20 from Kowloon and 2 from the rooms, many of the inmates were most storeys, they were urged to Mr. Lai Yin Kuu for $52,000. trapped in their rooms and forced jump into the jumping sheets that Lot No. 5.--No. 360, Queen's Bhaukiwan. This is a lower nuto to look for escape to the verandahs were brought into use. Four were Road Central and 47, Lower Lascar her over a week than there has
rescued in that way.
Bow, three-storied Chinese shops been since December 1st. It is Mrs Hobson would have similarly and dwellings. The annual Crown pafticularly satisfactory to see that The fact, he continued, that the been saved, but after jumping she rent payable on this property is the epidemic is not spreading be- rescue ladders fell short of the struck a wire stretched across the uppermost storeys and failed to street and fell clear of the sheet. 21.81. Upset price 300,000-sold yond the two big urban areas.
The number of deaths, 42, was reach those who were on these
Mr. Brooks pointed out that the to Mr. Lai Tat Sam for $74,000.
Lot No. 4 No. 1, Castle Road, an increase of 8 upon last week, verandahs was not to be taken us jumping sheets were brand-new and Chat, room boy of the King an assumption that the Brigade was intact, in contradiction of a report 204 detected two-storied on gure this year. the
a semi-detached Euro byt apart from that the lowest deficient in ita devices for saving in a contemporary that one of the rent parable on this property is
Monday's Agures were less re- life. The escapes used were the victime dropped through one of the 85.6. Unset arice $40,000-sold to assuring, ten cases being recorded, same as those of up-to-date Brigades sheets,
Mr. Lai Yin Kau for $47,000.
13 from Shaukiwin.-
we fear, Mr. Encs Seth.
The official police list. of injured
persons number five, ná follows-
General Chén Ming Shi, Civil Governor of Canton..
Mrs. Chen Ming Shu. Andrew Piccioli (American) 28 years of age, of the U.S.S. Mem- phis.
Edward Hotel. ・・
Ng Ka Yuen, kitchen boy of the King Edward Hotel
The Fire Escapes.
Mongkok, Kowloon
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