2
MOTORING
WITH
Appeal By Hon. Mr. E.D.C. Wolfe at the Rotary Club
WHY "SAFETY FIRST" CAMPAIGN
WAS INAUGURATED
An interesting address was delivered at the Rotary Club yesterday by the Hon. The Inspector General of Police, Mr. E. D. C. Wolfe, C.M.G., who gave his au dience a brief history of the growth of motor traffic in Hong Kong, and took the opportunity to tell of some of the common ways in which accidents occur Colony.
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in this
At the close of 'his address, Mr. Wolfe gave a de- monstration of the various signals which motor drivers should give:
car
Mr. T. B. Wilson presided at the meeting and there were a number of visitors, including Rotarians from Singapore, Shanghai and Tsingtao.
CO-OPERATION OF PUBLIC WANTED
Taking into consideration that before 1920 there was no traffic worth speaking of, the driving in Hong Kong is certainly no worse and in some cases compares very favourably with that in rival cities of the Far East. The professional drivers with few exceptions drive reasonably well... and the chief offenders as far as bad driving is concerned are private drivers many of whom ought to know better. (Hear, Hear).
Addressing the meeting. Mr.; roads regarded, widened and im- Wolle said:-The appalling loss of proved to make motoring mere life and the large number of per- worth while. In that year the sans seriously injured particularly Island road was completed as also by motor vehicles following on the the New Territory circular road enormous reduction in the prices form Kowloon to Tai Po, Fanling O cars created a problem some Castle Peak. and back via Tsun years ago in many countries par- Wan to Kowloon. Drivers were ticularly the U.S.A. It soon be- imported from Shanghal at high wages and local drivers began to came abundantly clear that legis- kation however carefully drawn up learn to drive. and skillfully and strictly applied did not help in any great measure to reduce the death" roll and the casualty lists. Some bright genius thereupon conceived the idea to entist the sympathy of the public in a propaganda campaign point ing out the serious consequences, of the complete disregard of reasonable rules devised for the safety of the general public by ordinary normally sensible and careful people. Carelessness, thoughtlessness or even wilful dis- regard of the elementary rules governing safety on the roads did not matter so much when slow moving horse drawn vehicles were concerned but the fast moving car very soon changed conditions alto- gether and has continued to take an increasing toll of the thought less, the careless, the unlucky in All countries of the world as the numbers of these vehicles have Increased.
Sympathy of All The main feature of the Safety Fist campaigns have always been to enlist the sympathy and help of all alike, pedestrians. drivers and particularly those who are entrusted with the instruction of the young to follow a line of con- duct which will ör should reduce
HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1934.
SAFETY
of the roads, to set an example to the ignorant and foolish instead of adding to the loss and confusion by disregarding these rules simply because others who do not know any better, do not adhere to them,
cam-
Methods of 'Campaign The methods adopted here and elsewhere are In principle the same. The extent of the paign depends very largely on the funds available and the number of willing helpers. but the prin- ciples
very are
much alike. Isolated campaigns are useless, they should be continuous over a number of years and intensive during the short periods whilst bat earried out. The methods adopted in the initial campaign bere consist primarily in a press campaign in the European Vernacular Press. In this nection I should like to express
indebtedness to the my
local Press who have been most helpful and who no longer considers that the rights of pedestrians include the privilege of wandering at will
and con-
over the roads. This idea I am happy to say is now exploded and pedestrians are begining to realize that they equally with others must. conform to the Trame rules which
THE SOCIETY OF FOOTBALL AND YORKSHIREMEN THE BROKERS
i
Third Annual Report Match Between Ex-
The Balance Sheet has been submitted as herounder:
MEMBERSHIP.
third Annual Report and change & Association
5
.
The brokers of Hongkong are
On October 3lat, 1933, the member-known for their generosity, and in better times, not a few dollars whit ship of the Society was as follows:-
from their pockets into the coffers Life Members
of local charitable institution. To-day, however, things are differ- ent, and with the trade depresión in our midst, that generosity has had of necessity to be somewhat restrained,
بود
Ladies Men
Annual Members
Ladies Men
28
Total:
113
LOSSES BY DEATH Your Committee records with much regret the loss of two members, who died during the year-
Mrs. T. Holmes
Capt. C. L. Custforth, R.N.R to whone relatives the condolences of the Society were senti
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Our Annual Cabaret Dinner was held on March 3rd, at the Hong Kong Hotel, when the President, Mr. J. Scott Harton, took the chair. The Patron of the Society, H.E. Sir William
E.C.M.G., K.B. F
Laly Peel, again honoured by
8 by
bulls* However, our
And "bears" are still as cheerful as ever, and there are just enough optimists among the ranks of the Hongkong Stock Exchange and the Hongkong Sharebrokers Associa tion to make area the glocniest of settlement days look bright.
A few days ago conversation turn- ed on football, Nat. being able to "do" each other over the shares of the Hongkong Football Association, they began to recount the glories of past fouthall matches in which they had taken active part, Stories came fast upon one another, until some bright wit suggested & match between the Stock Exchange and the Sharcbrókers' "Association.
The idea was taken up enthusias-
are made for the benefit of all, texiding, whilst amongst the guests tically and we are promised the
Closely connected with the Press campaign is the Broadcasting campaign by means of which is hoped to reach and interest many listeners-in of all nationall- tles in the matter of their own safety and that of their fellow citizens.
Films
were The President of St. George's Society and Mrs. Dowbiggin, The Chieftain of St. Andrew's Society and Mrs. Greig, The President of St. Patrick's Society and Mrs. Redmond and Mr. K. R. Davies, President of St. David's Society.
Some 200 people attended and a thoroughly enjoyable evening was spent by all. As usual, guests sasen Next come to the films. Thanks bled in "Bootham Bar" for hors to the assistance and co-opera-d'oeuvres, dinner being served in the proprietors Roof Garden. Our President's speech tion of the cinema
followed, and in proposing the health who have agreed to display warn-
of the Society he touched humorously ing notices and locally produced
upon the instinctive belief of the Safety First films on their screens
Yorkshireman that in cricket, as in during the 14 days of the Safety other things, he is supreme, his speech First campaign, and more," parti-
being punctuated by loud laughter cularly to the enterprise of a
faim studio, the United Wm. Pecl, R.C.M.G., K.B.E., proposed the
and applause. H.E. the Governor, local
Services. Ltd.. who
toast of His Majesty the King. have made a special film for the Safety First campaign, it is hoped that large numbers of the com-
will have the unity
Photoplay
could
seenes
Sir
The Cabaret programme was again very successful, items being given Mrs. Joan Tetley and Mr. J. Scott oppor-Haraton, our genial President obliging with two humorous songs in his own Ela Moor was inimitable style. rendered by Messrs. A. R. Brown, J. H. Shaw, W. Stoker and C. Jackson, the company joining heartily in the refrain,
and com-
tunity of seeing typical which are almost of daily occur rence involving accidents and loss of life which a little care
check forethought pletely.
In addition the display of warm- ing notices, slogans and posters displaying typical accidents in English and Chinese Agures large- 1y in the campaign.
Finally, but really the most im- portant item in the whole cam- paign is the instruction of the youth of the Colony in methods devised to safeguard the lives of children, so many of whom here as elsewhere figure in the casualty lists.
and now
all the
On July 28th, members of Society were entertained by Mr. and Mrs. J. Scott Harston at a garden party at their residence at Magazine Gap. Notwithstanding the typhoon, which threatened on that day, we had a very fine attendance, and we were again of His honoured by the presence.
Through the good offices of Mr. Excellency and Lady B. HH. Priestley, the Society was. entertained by the British Film Dis tribution Co. Ltd. to a performance of "The Good Companions" at the King's Theatre, on October 7th.
4
near future. opportunity in the (perhaps next week) of seeing some of our Riako "taipans" in shorts and football boots, doing their bit to keep the flag of their respective Exchange or Association flying
A silver cup has been promised for the winning side, and this cup is to be competed for annually. The Stock Exchage are favourites at the moment, but we shall want to see the composition of the teams before making any forecast.
Meanwhile we can only say that the idea of such a match is excel- fent, the more so sinos there is a distinct probability that local chari- ties may benefit by the "gate."
Society, and this is an opportunity for members to make the next function over better than its predecessoTS.
BOOKS
"The following books are the pro perty of the Society and members are invited to borrow any of these, ap- plication for which should be made to the Hon. Secretary. The Committee would be pleased to receive gifts of any other books about Yorkshire:
Yorkshire
by Gordon Home The Spell of Yorkshire
by J. Cuming Walter Yorkshire Ditties I & II
by John Hartley " Puppets in Yorkshire
by Walter Wilkinson Yorkshire LyricH
by John Hartley Yorkshire Tales II & Ell
by John Hartley. Yorkshire Puddin'
by John Hartley Tramping in Yorkshire (West
Riding)
by A. J. Brown Tramping in Yorkshire (North
and Eastby
by A. J. Brown" Great Yorkshiremen (Loaned to
Society)
by G. C. Heseltine SOCIETY OF YORKSHIREMEN IN LONDON AND YORKSHIRE SO-
No Road Sense Again bearing in mind the en- tire absence of fast wheeled traffic in the Colony until the advent of the motor car is it to be wondered at that the average local inhabitant of Hong Kong had no road sense at all? It had to be developed from nothing and matters were made no caster by the dally influx of thousands of people from the neighbouring
Much depends on the province most of whom had never
parents who often, entirely fall seen roads wider than 6 to 8 feet.
SUBSCRIPTIONS.. In the past 14 years the general in their duty in this respect. But the instruction of the young in public have, gained some ideas
Subscriptions "for the year ending the schools can help enormously about the use of streets and roada,
October 31st, 1934 are now due and and thanks to the assistance but some of the main principles are still not understood. Most people offered by the Education Depart-may be paid at the Annual Meeting, ment, it is hoped that in this where arrangements will be made to are aware that it is dangerous to walk in the middle of the road, respect much good will be done receive them. In one or two cases
subscriptions are outstanding from% also later by but factory girls can still be seen both
last year, and members concerned are the number of accidents, and by trudging along Nathan Road in periodical recapitulations of the asked to give this their early atten demonstrations of what not to do Kowloon in lines of 6 or 7 until main safety rules
tion, so us to facilitate the work of the and what to do to educate the rudely disturbed by some
Committee and officials. Members are irate schools in the Colony. who Public to such an extent that they driver
naturally considers Typical Breaches of Rules asked to note that the Society has will learn to protect themselves that they must be mad!
First and foremost is the now a private post office box (No. 588) to which all correspondence should be No Chinese and very few Not- and others, particularly children
general
.habit
addressed. against the dangers of the road. Chinese for that matter, considers stepping off the pavement with-
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING For this reason and also on ac-it necessary to cross a road at
out looking to see whether any count of the amazing ignorance
traffic is approaching. A glance
This is one of the very few occasions displayed by so many persons in
to the right before stepping off when members can meet in a body this Colony concerning the ordin
and a glance to the left on reach- during the course of the year, and your committee hope to have a good ary rules of safety, this campaign
ing the middle of the road is not
A list of names and addresses of the attendance on this interesting occa has been inaugurated in the hope
a great requirement to ensure that it will help to educate the at the white lines indicating foot you safely reaching the other sion. Your Committee will be only Members of the Society is presented Any alterations local public, Chinese and Euro- passenger crossings, but rarely
side. The disastrous habit of the too pleased to receive suggestions for with this report. reans alike in traffic matters and use them thereby making it "diff-local inhabitant particularly when the benefit of the Society and any aliculd be made known to the Hon. reduce very materially the growing cult for even a careful motorist it is :aining to duck his he thing of a new charactor for next Secretary, so that the record may be year's activities also new ideas for the kept up to date. A number of the list of accidents fatal and other not to run them down. The ab- down and dash from one veran Anaual Dinner Menu Card and members have left the Colony and sence of footpaths which is being dah to another without looking to appropriata quotations in dialect will others have changed their addresses, gradually remedied, adds to the
without notifying the Hon. Secretary; see what is coming has been the difficulties of instilling Safety cause of inore fatal accidents
In connection with the Cabarot this has caused inconvenience and the First principles into the minds of locally than any other form of items for our Annual Dinner your co-operation of all members in this the local inhabitants. It is much
carelessness. This procedure can Committee would welcome volunteers matter is requested. Names of eligible easier to walk in the roadway be witnessed in Queen's Road who will contribute to the pro- persons who are not members of the than on a crowded footpath. The
East on any wet day and appears gramme. We are sure that a good Society should also be communicated fact that danger lurks on the road
to be more common and more deal of talent can be found in the to the Hon. Secretary.. is not considered, and the motorist
dangerous when there is slight is sure to sound his hom, so why
wise.
Peculiar Traffic Problems
In elaborating the local plan of campaign the peculiar problems which arise in the Colony have had to be very carefully consider- ed. Verandahs, lack of footpaths in many streets and roads, lack of "any vehicular traffic at all until
out of place at this juncture.
right angles to the footway. It is from his point of view not the shortest way across, but he fails entirely to realize that it is the only safe way.
Pedestrians look
unfortunate
of
rain only and the roads are un-
instil road sense into one and ail, roads diagonally. The pedestrian and make people, apply it when wishes to save himself trouble
it has once been acquired..
be very welcome.
cient room.
CIETY
Members are remined that we are affiliated to the above Society, one advantage of which being that on presentation of a letter from our Hon. Secretary, a member will automatically become a member of the London Society, on payment of the usual fees. ADDRESSES.
ཐ་
common, and it is remarkable that drivers do not consider that should they have to pull up very suddenly they will certainly skid and as ilkely, as not damage others their besides theselves whilst vehicle is out of control. ·
Rounding corners so fast. that it is not possible to keep over to the left centre of the road or the dividing white lines in the centre of the road is a very general offence here where corners are so the temptation to trust to luck irritatingly frequent and there is and make a little better time on the journey: home! But is it worth it? You may be prepared you involve an innocent party who to take the risk but why should is doing the right thing!
the arrival of the motor car, are worry! A little more noise from some of these problems: A shorthorn blowing in the streets is of less for the car driver to pull up providing facilities for
pleasantly greasy, making it hope- gratitude to the Rotary Club for football history of the growth of traffic in no consequence! These are just suddenly without risking further
for children in places where this the Colony may therefore not be a few matters which can becasualties. Next comes the all too
excellent sport can be indulged in remedied by concerted action to common practice ol crossing in safety. Walking in the road- way where there is a footpath is a common source of accidents as and time." but by doing. 80
is also the practice of keeping too makes it quite impossible for
far out into the roadway where the driver to concentrate on any there is no footpath. But where one place where he knows he must
there are no footpaths, the driver slow up as it is marked in white
is often as much to blame if not So long as lines as a crossing.
more so than the pedestrian by the rule of crossing all roads at
lines when such right angles to the pavement and not allowing the pedestrian suf- by the white
These may be described as typi- cal failings "on the Dart of exist is completely. dlaregarded, accidents must be very frequent.
They
almost are Fortunately the old habit of pedestrians. walking in the middle of the road equalled by those of the motor la dying out owing to the increase. vehicle driver.":
Speeding vehicular traffic and is mainly
One of the most common confined to the ignorant and the is principal offence is that of
the driving too fast where it is ob thoughtless not forgetting
80. This breaches of safety rules here is factory girls already mentioned.viously, unsafe to do
Street Football
practice is checked to a great the neglect to give any signal when moving off after stopping. Then we come to street toot- extent by Police action but it is
concerns the young still too common and the main Most drivers at home and some ing amongst the public, that this bail. This
taxis, public car here give signals indicating whe- unnecessary waste of human life. but it seems extraordinary that it offenders are suffering and hardship indicted is no cae's business except that drivers and lorry drivers. It is ther they are going right or left a 'policeman to check it quite safe to drive fast on certain but practically no local driver who by recklessness, incompetence' and of misjudgment must stop, and that surely a friendly warning by any roads (not many in Victoria) but has stopped, not even close to the ny remarks do not include, such Lerb ever gives a signal to on- each one of us will do his share adult would help enormously to in helping to that end.
check this dangerous practice in streets as "Queen's Road, Des coming traffic to indicate that he Further by ourselves. drivers. busy thoroughfares. Wallet on Voeux Road, or Connaught Road is going to move off again. This pedestrians alike obeying the or- this point I feel that the Hong Driving very fast when the roads particular. offence is not confined
́ ́(Continued on page' 11) & debt of are slightly wet is also much too dinary rules governing the safety 'Kong public
Up to the year 1915 there were practically no motor vehicles in the Colony, the few which existed were looked upon as costly and
Objects of Campaign unwanted toys. Dr. Noble was the Arst to own a private car in the What then are the objects of the Safety First Campaign? They Colony, and the Dairy Farm, and
to all Fire Brigade, I believe share the are to teach road, sense
of alike and by persuasion rather honour for the introduction
than by legislation which repre- motor vans and motor tenders. The roads were such as to dis-sents force to get the public to with the constituted courage any would-be purchaser co-operate from investing in such a costly authorities in complying with the luxury. Owing to the complete traffic regulations provided to
ensure general safety. absence of vehicular trafide except
It is also hoped that by publish- rickshas, chairs and hand trucks, the streets in the City and. Kowing abroad to all and sundry in loon were unitted for fast moving all possible ways the dangers wheeled traffic. Lamp posts pro- arising from breaches of trame truded into the streets, the side rules and by showing that offen- ders do not merely risk their own channels were wide and deep, re- ducing the riding surface of the lives and property, but those of roads very considerably. In 1916 Innocent parties to create a feel- the cars in the Colony numbered .98 and the only other animal drawn traction consisted of the undertaker's hearse, and the Sani- tary Department's dust and water carts drawn by bullocks which were introduced in 1911.
More
"J
Roads
By 1920. sucleat main roads had been constructed or existing
owe
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