K 13
REPORT BY THE CHIEF OFFICER HONGKONG FIRE BRIGADE.
1. Cost of Fire Brigade.—The cost of the Fire Brigade for the year 1924 was $199,570.00 as compared with $166,786.00 in 1923 and $177,799 in 1922. Special Expenditure amounting to $49,187.00 is included. This heading comprises the addition of 1 First Aid Fire Tender and other equipment enumerated in the Superintendent's Report.
2. New Fire Float.—Tenders were called for the new Fire float referred to in my 1923 Report and construction commenced late in 1924. The accepted tender amounting to $170,000.00 calls for delivery of this float, which is provided with a goitre telescopic tower fitted with a powerful monitor, within 9 months. There are two monitors capable of delivering 2,000 gallons per minute each. The increasing number of fires in the harbour added to those on shore near the water front shows the wisdom of making this further provision for ships and water front fires.
3. New Central Fire Station. During the early part of the year the steel framework of the building was completed. A regrettable delay in starting work on the superstructure followed and the actual contract for completing the building was not let until September last. However the new contractors Messrs. Trollope and Colls have got to work with commendable energy and it is anticipated that the structure should be near completion by the end of 1925.
4. Recruits.—The difficulty of obtaining suitable recruits and of retaining men after completing their training continued throughout the year. However there is now a fair prospect of obtaining all the men required. On completing their training they enter into an agreement to serve for 3 years. This arrangement should considerably reduce the number of resignations. The firemen recruited shortly after the reorganization of the Brigade have now reached a high state of efficiency as two demonstrations given during the year showed. The provision of a Challenge Cup for the best Motor Escape team and other prizes has proved a most useful incentive to increased efficiency. The thanks of the Brigade are due to those firms which have contributed so generously to the Prize Fund.
5. Sub-Officers.—The appointment in 1924 of four native Sub-Officers with a good knowledge of English has proved a step in the right direction and a great improvement on the old interpreters who had no knowledge of fire fighting, and fully justifies the further provision of such officers in the 1925 Estimates.
6. Motor Drivers School.—The question of providing an adequate number of competent drivers has been satisfactorily