44
65
not be impossible to work out a satisfactory definition of "godown".
With the increased powers at his disposal, the Chief Officer should
then be in a much better position to decide upon those which should in addition to normal registration be licensed for the storage of dangerous
goods in accordance with the present provisions of the Ordinance.
"Inspectorate" Staff of the Fire Brigade:
83. The Fire Brigade has seven officers who are regarded as qualified
to carry out inspection duties in connection with the storage of danger-
ous goods. Training for such duties is carried out locally, and is
mainly of a practical nature, though some theoretical instruction is
given. During the months January to November, 1948 inclusive, 4089
inspections were carried out by Fire Brigade officers, of which about
1700 were connected specifically with the enforcement of regulations
in regard to storage of dangerous goods. The mere number of inspec-
tions carried out by so few officers indicates that the majority of
them can only have been of the most cursory nature, and it is hardly
possible for officers who also have duties in connection with training
for ordinary fire-fighting duties, to do more. We consider that the
enforcement of the Dangerous Goods Regulations and the Celluloid and
Cinematograph Films Regulations to be of paramount importance in the
prevention of fires, and fire prevention in a place like Hong Kong,
where there is such a congestion of habitations and where the terrain
and the narrowness of many streets places extraordinary difficulties
in the way of the fire extinction service, is even more vital than in
other countries with larger cities and more extensive built up areas.
84 We therefore recommend the establishment of a branch of the Fire
Brigade which should be engaged primarily on inspection and fire pre-
vention. We understand that the Chief Officer already had similar pro-
posals in view, and that he considered seven qualified inspectors would be sufficient for the duties which they would be called upon to performL. The salaries and allowances of such officers are anticipated to be an
extra charge on the Revenue of about $40,000.00 a year, but together with additional clerical assistance, accommodation expenses, etc., the