OF
HONG KONG DAILY PRESS,
Gas Works Manager's Theory
· HOW THE DO OSION MIGHT that this corrosion was not a seri- |
HAVE BEEN
CAUSED
Holder A Particularly Good Job
The theory that a hole was made in the rasometer by some external means was advanced by Mr. H. E. Stone, the general manager and chief engineer of the Hongkong and China Gas Co., "Ltd., at Central Magistracy yesterday when he continued his evi- dence from the previous hearing in the enquiry which is being" held into the circumstances surrounding the tragic gas explosion disaster at West Point on Day 14.
Mr. Stone further stated that the gasometer might have been made a target as when the tank was searched after the exple- slor, a number of foreign matter was discovered.
Mr. E. W. Hamiton conducted the enquiry," assisted by a special jury comprising Messrs. P. Tester (foreman). L. Dunbar “ and D. Drummond."
Mr. W. & Mackinlay of Messrs. Deacons, watched the pro-. ceedings on behalf of the Hongkong and China Co., Ltd. and Mr. W. M. Brown, of Messrs. Hastings and Co., represented the interests of certain property owners whose property was damaged.
West Point Not Ideal Site
The
Before Mr. Stone continued, his in the early part of 1910.
holder was designed by, Mr. A.. S. evidence, the Coroner enquired if "the fire had started outside Chung Phillips, M.I.CE. consulting en- Shing Street. The Hon. Mr. E D.gineer, London. It was manufac- C. Wolfe, inspector General of Police and the chief of the Fire Brigade said that he would not -go so far as to say that.
The Coroner: Would it be possi- ble to get in touch with Mr. Brooks und and out if there is any evi- dence about it or not? -
Mr. Wolfe: Yes.
Continuing his evidence from the previous hearing, Mr. Stone said that when he sent Mr. D. Marshall to "ask that hoses be played on No. 13. Chung Shing Street, the Company's hose had been brought to work up to that time. After the Are was under control. he got them to play on the holder's plates to cool them off in order that he might ex- amine them
Coroner: watchmen?
see the
Did you Mr. Stone: As I was running across to the holder, I saw the children of the gardener being carried into the office and on turning round I saw the watch- Mr. to men being spoken by Thompson, the accountant.
What are the regulations?--In England. we are under the Board of Trade of course. In Hongkong I do not know. Our charter of course is given to us by the Gov- ernment::
The plans and specifications are submitted to the Pubile Works Department for approval?-I can- no say. 1 understand
that the Government gave permission for the holders to be erected, that's what my staff told me. The foundation of the works was pass- ed by the P.W.D.
ous matter, and gas holders were their constructed to withstand maximum pressure and to allow for any corrosion that might be expected, after a reasonable period, say 40 years. But experience had alsa shown that even at the end of this period, the holders could always be expected to withstand the maximum pressure for which they were designed. The pressure of gas in the holder could not cause the equivalent of a column
of water equal to the depth of the seal One could not check up on internal corrosion without an in- ternal examination of the holder.
THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 1934.
LEGISLATIVE
COUNCIL
Agenda For To-day
"
The agenda for to-day's meet- 1ng of the legislative Council is
As follows:-
The Colonial Treasurer to move the following resolution:-
Resolved pursuant to section 39 1931. of the Liquors Ordihance, that the item..
:
"PUBLIC MONEY VOTES Temporary Court For Kowloon
When the Finance Committee
of the Legislative Council meets to-day item totalling $79,222, in connection with the Estimates for the current year, are to come up. for approval.
The details of the items to be dealt with to-day are as follows:- Temporary Court. Kowloon Ma- gistracy: $3.000.
It will be interesting to note that a sum of $3,000 is requested for a "On beer, porter, cider, perry and building of a temporary nature to stout 0.60" in "Part I of relieve the congestion" at Kowloon the Table to the Liquor Duties Re-Magistracy. solution of the 30th June, 1932 (published by Notification No, 417 in the Gazette of the 30th June, 1932), which Part. as substituted.
In order to relieve the congestion it set forth in the Liquor Duties In practice, such an inspection Resolution of the 20th October. at the Kowloon Magistracy, it is in the was only made when absolutely 1932 (published by Notification No. found necessary to prect
the present Magis- essential as it was a dimeult and 656 in the Gazette of the 21st Oc-courtyard of dangerous procedure to those en-tober. 1931), be rescinded and the tracy a building which can be used
Dangerous Work.
Raged in the operation owing to the work of clearing the holder of £3.9. There had been several fatalities whilst this kind of in- spection was being carried out. Moreover, the holder had to be put out of comm'ssion the whole time which was expensive and in- convenient. Experience had shown. however, that this inspection was not necessary.
following items substituted:- On cider and perry On beer (as defined in the Ordinance but exclusive of cider and perfy) note ceeding 1055 degrees o ginal gravity, that is "to say, the specific gravity of the worts thereof before. fermentation
On all other beer (as defin- but ed in the Ordinance exclusive
cider of
and perry) imported in a con- ale centrated form, or as basis, or malt "and hops. concentrate
0.80
·
0.60
0.60
Continuing. Mr. Stone said that he examined the plates left on the holder and also those ripped out during its descent. He did not think that the corrosion 29 worse than he had anticipated. The sheets and joints had become with the addition of one cert per purpose. gallon for every degrée by which unduly" weak for that
it had been so, it the original gravity exceeds 1045 Moreover if
degrees. would have been indicated by ex- plate came termal evidence. If off like that, three joints had got to come off together. Before the plate sagged out in that manner. preliminary creaks must have ap- peared.
•
re-
türed and erected by Messrs. S. Cutler and Sons, Millwall. Lon- don, The holder was specially de- signed to withstand the climatic conditions in Hongkong, the guard framing and internal bracing be- Ink of greater strength than the standard practice. It was consi- dered to be a particularly good
In order to ascertain the job, and should easily have work-
for the ed satisfactorily
usual damage to the holder, the water was pumped out of the tank and period of 40 years. The", holder.
for a when this was done, a search was therefore, had been used little more than half of its work- made in the tank for foreign mat- Since it was installed. It tex. A number of articles were ing life.
This consisted of paint had worked satisfactorily, glving round.
nad been well brushes and scrubbers found at no trouble and
The holder was con- various points and they were pro- maintained.
dropped during painting nected with the gasworks system bably by two mains. The valves of these operations. Several bricks. mains were always open. One mains of paper lanterns and elec- main connected the whole of the tric lamp bulbs and à piece of manufacturing plant and the other iron rod were found in the portion of the tank near the point in was the whole distributing sys-
which the holder was damaged. ten-one in and one out. The ef- feet of this arrangement was that As the gas holder was "found to be
by the inspection - when more gas was being manu-
La good order factured, that, is, being consumed.
made a few days previously and holder rose and vice- the
as nothing unusual was noticed by versa." The working of the holder
the painters who were working on the holder up to about half an was automatic and 'requited no at-
hour before the explosion, it was tention.
reasonable to assume that the gas holder was working normally and no leaking at any of these joints. His theory was that a hole was made in the gasometer by some external means. Even this would not have caused any damage out- side of the gas holder if the gas had not become ignited. The "gas would merely have escaped and the holder settled down in the tank.
When it became jam- med it would be at once apparent by the conditions of the gauges were under constant ob- which servation by the exhauster atten- The holder was perfectly dant. free after the fire, because he sent out all the air pressure.
Frequent Inspections, Because the holder was usually regarded as safe it required very lttle attention and therefore 'no
or in survey." either. externally ternally, was necessary, unless it Owing to Is it eustomary in England to behaved abnormally. put up gasometers in yards among the, climatic conditions in Hong- a long where there was fully populated localities as in the kong case of West Polps?-The muni- period, without rain, it was con- sidered desirable for the European cipal procedure is this: You ap- ply to the Government for per- engineer to inspect the holder at mission to use a certain site. No frequent intervals, primarily to tice will then be posted in that site ascertain that the water scals of and any objections by the owners the holder were filled to the neces-
41
+1-
Gas Invisible.
and it
The Attorney General to the First reading of
move
"A Bill to amend the Pensions
Ordinance, 1932."
33 an overflow court for minor cases.
A building of a temporary na- ture will be sufficient. The esti mated cost of this is $3,000 which sum includes the cost of the neces- sary furniture.
Volunteer Defence Corps :- Books, Stationery and Printing: $300.
Anti-Malaria - Works including cost of resumptions: $18,000.
The funds provided in the Es- timates have been fully allocated for works which are proceeding. in the various 'districts.
When the allotment for works at Was made it WAR thought that sufficient allowance SookunpoO had been made to cover the rate of progress which would be main- tained; The Contractor has how- ever, already proceeded with the work to such an extent that the amount of $10,000 allotted, has been
"A Bill to amend the Marriage absorbed, and he is pressing for permission to complete the pro-
. Ordinance, 1875.".
"A Bill to amend the law relat- ing to the profeëtion of Wo- men and Girls."
"A Bill to provide.. for levying in Hong Kong colonial light dues in respect of certain light- houses and a buoy on or near the coasts of the Bahamas and the Leeward Islanda." The Colonial Treasurer to move the Second reading of
;
"A Bil to make provision for a loan of twenty-five million dol lars for the carrying out of certain public works. for the redemption of certain inscrib- ed stock, and for other pur- poses."
LEG-THEORY TACTICS
Warning to Notts
London, June 12. The. "Evening Standard" states that as a sequel to the recent leg theory tactics adopted by Notting- hamshire in their matches against Essex, Cambridge and Sussex, the representatives of two of the most famous tricketing counties to- day visited Trent Bridge and in- Nottinghamshire
the
gramme.
able
It is considered advis
additional to provide the
funds required.
Fire Station at Shamshulpo: $15,000.
It is considered essential that fire protection should be arranged In the district of for Kowloon Shamshulpo, which. embraces an area extending to Laichikok and includes oil tanks. coal storages, the Cosmopolitan Dock etc.
The estimated cost of this new sub-station, which it is intended to build in the compound of the Shamshulpo Police Station. is $15,000. This sum covers the cost of the shed, fittings. telephones- and such accommodation "as is necessary for stan, who cannot be housed in the Police Station build- ings.
A yote, of $15,000 is accordingly requested.
Fire Brigade: Personal Emolu- ments: $1,267,
Re-arrangements of staff to bring the Fire Appliances at Tal Po, Aberdeen. Un Long. Cheung Chau and Tal O up to a state of efficiency. necessitate the provision of 8 additional Chinese Engine Drivers and readjustment of allow- ances to European Folice Officers The at the. foregoing Stations. cost of the additiorial men and adjustments of allowances for 1934 is 81.287 and supplementary vote Mr. Stone then explained "that the probability was that when it
for this sum is requested.
Botanical Gardens Improve- started the hole was comparative-formed
menta: $5.100. ly small, and it was enlarged by County Cricket Club that if fast
was used The original estimate for this the gas burning. The gas came leg-theory bowling
against them this season, they work prepared in 1932 was $5,600, out in large volume and there was heavy concentration"
was would not. in any ciréurnstances, but owing to the increase in rates burning when it came into con-
and a longer length of iron rail- agree to play them in 1935.. air, the burning It is even said that one of these,ing it is now found, on revision, of surrounding property will be sary depth, and accordingly Mr.tact with the
exterior of this pocket of gas counties is prepared to walk from that the estimated cost is $8.000, considered. I don't think the in-Marshall made a weekly spec igniting part of the house. Some the field and concede the match This item covers the erection of
tion. The examination of the spector will allow you to erect a
and sheetings was holder in a place like Chung Shing guide wheels
The Street. In London 1.5 2 rule included in the inspection. there is usually a street between last inspection prior to May 14. the holders and the houses. Like the time of the explosion, Yaumati, for instance. But there made on,the afternoon of May 11 when the holder was then found is no regulation as to that at all. If I were asked to pick a site for to be in good order. Any repairs a gasometer I am afraid I would necessary were entered in the re- prefer to get another site than pairs book and any leaks would be West Point
repaired by patching in accord- ance with the general custom of the gas industry. The patching in the sheds?-Below the water was carried out with small plates,
Site Granted. In 1863.
Is it customary to have gas rings
tanks, yes. Not near meter.
the gaso- bolted out.
WAS
Temporary repairs could be made with paper.
Mr. Stone then mentioned" that the site was granted in 1863.
Mr. Wolfe: When I came to the Colony 35 years ago, Clarence Ter- race consisted of two-storey houses. patches
They
this summer if fast leg-theory iron railings in the Gardens and bowling' is indulged in.--Router,
would have probably caused the
Glenealy and the reconstructiön of the path between Glenealy and the New Gardens which was carried away by a rainstorm in 1923. Due to pressure of other works it was not possible to complete these im- In reply to the Coroner, Mr.provements in 1933 and a sum of Stone said that the gasometer was 32,960 only was expended. sinking when he got to the top. Attorney General Personal Em- He go up to the highest point and cluments: $16.287.
acciderit.
could feel a certain amount of heat, He did not attempt to go any further because it was warm and the property was on fire and it was impossible to do anything to the plates.
of the unburned gas also entered into the bouses and ignited there. The gas in the holder before it, burned would be absolutely in- visible. I could only become visi- ble after ignition. It was possible, therefore, that both the flames and the gas got into the property to- gether. The burning gas on the edges of the holder could give Intense radiation He suggested that the radiating heat got close and the enough for the woman watchmen to be burned. No naked lights were at level with the gas holder from the property. The only repairs which had beez
Mr. Stone then, suggested that .found necessary during the last
the holder might have been used two and a half years were carried
been as a target. Things had October. 1933 when old out in
were, removed and new thrown at it. He had never seen bad small people throwing but they used to be bone-pickers ones put in and a few
found things in the yard houses in connection with the leaks repaired. The holder had often Kennedy Town slaughter houses always been kept well painted to or round about, As the place was was last rather crowded there was always Offensive trade was carried prevent corrosion, this
02
a certain amount of danger. there. As far as I remember there done towards the latter end of
the beginning of 1933 The gas holder was constructed were no houses in Chung Shing 1932" and Street at the time. The houses when the whole of the sheeting with heavy steel frame work and were but within the last twenty was scraped down, painted first across this frame work, thin steel years. I think. The Land Office) with a coat of red lead and after-sheets of one tenth of an inch in will know when the Crown Lease wards with a coat of red oxide thickness were fastened. These paint. It was also intended to sheets therely act as an envelope was lasted : ་་
Mr. Stone. Continuing his evi- paint the holder this year. There and were not called upon to with dence, said that there was no was always a certain amount of stand the pressure of more than "aurvey of the holders, except by external corrosion in gas holders, about one third of a pound to a the engineer's concerned. The as some oxygen was present in the square inch. Any shot or heavy gasometer in West Point was water and, to a small degree, in object ung against the side of erected in 1908-09 and put to work the gas. Experience, had shown the gasometer near the joints adjourned until Friday afternoon.
Enquiry Adjourned Did you notice anything about Clarence Terrace when you were at the top of the gasometer?-Yes. It had just caught fire and. It was quite possible for any one to escape from there at that time..
Would it be wise to have a wire- Betting around the gasometer? Yes The matter is now under con- sideration.
Would a spark be able to ignite the gas? It would need a hot spark to ignite a concentrated volume of gas. I don't think, it would be possible. It was concen- trated gas and would probably put the spark out. If you put a match it would be put out.".
At this stage the enquiry⋅ was
No provision was made in the Attorney General's estimate for the salary of a 1st Class Cadet Officer acting for the Attorney General whilst on leave. The emoluments of the officer appointed to, act have been provided under Head 13, Supreme Court, and cannot be transferred without the authority of the Legislative Council
Victoria Hospital: Hot Water to" Maternity Block: System $16,000
Funds were provided for this service in the 1933 Estimates, but the work was held over while in vestigations proceeded concerning the best and most economical sys- tem to be adopted. A satisfactory. conclusion has now been reached." Harbour Department and Air One Motor Roller: Services: $6.288.
Purchase of one 21. tom. Rushton Hornsby Motor Roller with Road and Grass Wheels for use at the Aerodrome Kal Tak ?
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