SECRET
1 February 1951
2
M
Appendix to Minutes
of a meeting held in the Colonial Secretariat Hong Kong on 12/1/51.
Work has started on the building of the first five brick atic water tanks in Wanchai and Kowloon. The plans for a sea- water reticulation system in central Victoria are held up for lack of equipment and materials from the U.K. Telegrams to Secretary of State have requested priority consideration for these items. ancillary equipment to increase Fire Brigade fighting power has also been ordered.
Air haid Warning Svsten
9.
Other
36 sirens are on order from U.K. and 5 can be improvised locally. The R.A.F. have indicated that they can probably fly these sirens out if approach is made through Air H.Q., Singapore. Delivery in U.K. was stated in February 1350, to be 6-8 weeks; information on delivery is at present available.
10.
no further
Pending receipt of the sirens, a warning system will be improvised using Radio Hong Kong and Rediffusion, existing sirens, notices in cinemas, public address cars and any other available means. Sandbags
11.
6,000 sandbags have been purchased locally and work on the conversion of gunny bags to 1,000,000 sandbags in the prisons has commenced. 10,000 have been made to date, and a rate of conversion of 200,000 a month is aimed at. Sand for filling is available and
experiments in machine filling are being made.
12.
Enquiries from Secretary of State as to the possibility of purchasing bags in U.K. or U.S.A. have so far produced no reply.
Priority Repair and Demolition Squads
13.
4 depots will be established, 2 in Hong Kong and 2 in Kowloon. Each will be staffed by a mixed body of about 13 Engineers, Architects and Inspectors of Work, together with the necessary Foremen and labourers. European staffs have been allocated. the additional equipment necessary is being arranged.
Rescue Squads
14.
The purchase of
5 light rescue squads under the command of the Fire Brigade are organised, and training has commenced. Lists of required stores have been prepared. Most of these are available in the Colony.
Black-out
15.
Prototype shades for street lights for use with appropriately powered bulbs have been tested by the Police Department and R.A.F. in consultation, and sclected. 31 miles of streets will be so lighted until a warning is received, the remaining streets remaining unlit. Plans for the manufacture of sufficient shades and the stockpiling of the bulbs are proceeding.
SECRET