# REPORT BY THE CHIEF OFFICER
# HONGKONG FIRE BRIGADE.
1. Cost of Fire Brigade.-The cost of the Fire Brigade for the year 1925 was $333,846.00 as compared with $199,570.00 in 1924 and $166,786.00 in 1923. Special Expenditure amounting to $179,305.00 is included.
2. New Fire Float.-This vessel, which was described in my Report for 1924, was successfully launched in December, 1925. It is expected that she will be ready for service in March 1926.
3. New Fire Station.-Building operations were somewhat affected by the Strike, but it is anticipated that the premises will be ready for occupation before the autumn of 1926.
4. Recruits.-The difficulty of obtaining suitable recruits and of retaining men after completing their training continued for the greater part of the year.
Arrangements which had nearly been completed for the enlistment of a certain number of Chinese other than Cantonese, fell through on account of the Strike. The unattractiveness of service in the Fire Brigade is partly due to the long periods during which men have to stand by in their Stations in readiness for Calls. In November 1925, the pay of 2nd Class firemen was raised from $17 to $20 a month. During November and December, as many recruits were obtained as during the whole of the rest of the year, in spite of numerous rejections on medical grounds. The position at the close of the year was nevertheless still most unsatisfactory. There were only 35 Chinese firemen out of an Establishment of 85.
During the first fortnight of the Strike, there were no fewer than 24 desertions from the Fire Brigade, including 8 men out of 9 from No. 2 Fire Float, which was moored at Yaumati. As the total Chinese strength of the Brigade at the time was less than 90 men, the percentage of desertions was very high. In the Cantonese Contingent of the Police Force, only 8 men left out of a total of over 500. The remainder of the Chinese members of the Brigade were then sworn in as Special Constables. This had the effect of improving their morale, and the defections practically ceased.
5. Sub Officers.-There was no difficulty in maintaining the increased Establishment of these useful officers.