K 4
repaired in 1924, and that such fatigue would not be apparent to a Surveyor at his routine inspection. The jury returned a verdict of "Death by Misadventure" and commended the Coxswain Tang Fu, of the motor-boat "Fuk Wo", for rescue work. He subsequently received a Belilios Medal.
26. Shooting Incident.-At 09.00 hrs. on July the 2nd, Police Sergeant A.61 Scott, the Police Armourer, was found shot dead in the Armourer's shop at Police Headquarters. Investigations revealed that Sergeant Scott was examining a defective revolver which had been sent to him for expert opinion. No one was in the Armourer's shop at the time of the incident and at a coroner's enquiry, a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.
27. Collapse.--On May the 23rd, a pile-driving machine collapsed at Kansu Street, Yaumati. The cause of the accident was apparently due to a sudden strong gust of wind during a heavy rainstorm. Seven Chinese persons were killed outright or died from injuries received. A verdict of "Death by Misadventure" was afterwards returned by a Coroner's jury.
28. Cholera Epidemic.-In July 1937, the Colony was visited by a serious Cholera Epidemic. The Police Force was called upon to assist the Health Services in their arrangements to combat the disease. Police were on duty at the Railway Station and wharves. All incoming passengers were medically examined and inoculated before being allowed to enter the Colony. Sixteen inoculation centres were opened and Police controlled the very large crowds who availed themselves of this free service. Special action was taken against hawkers selling certain foodstuffs likely to spread disease.
29. During the epidemic 1,081 persons, including 2 Europeans, died of the disease. P.C.D.202 Pi Chi Hui was unfortunately one of the victims. The Police Force was congratulated by His Excellency the Governor for services rendered during the epidemic.
30. Typhoon. During the night of September the 1st and 2nd the Colony experienced its most disastrous typhoon in thirty years. The blow commenced early in the evening of September the 1st and reached its climax between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. on the morning of September the 2nd, No. 10 Typhoon Signal being hoisted at 02.25 a.m. At one period the wind velocity was reported to have reached 164 miles per hour. Police were on duty in all districts during the whole of the typhoon and many plucky rescues were effected. Police on duty on the sea front, tied together by ropes, rescued some 70 persons who were isolated on various wharves, including the entire crew of the S.S. "An Lee" whose stern had been swept high and dry on to Connaught Road Central.