Generally there was a feeling of calm optimism; the Colony had not got through the wood yet, but our enemies, though they had, under Bolshevik influence, striven their utmost, had failed to ruin the trade of Hong Kong.
The Rents Ordinance, which restricted the landlords' right to raise rents was allowed to lapse after having been in force for four years.
The New Year opened with the fire on New Year's day at the Hong Kong Hotel, a great part of which was completely gutted. The damage was estimated at nearly two million dollars. There was one casualty; a bluejacket, who was assisting in fighting the fire, fell from a window and died of his injuries.
As a result of the fire a Committee was appointed to consider the fire fighting organisation of the Colony. Most of the recommendations of the Committee have been adopted by the Government.
Another calamity befell Hong Kong when on the night of 19th/20th July, a terrific thunder-storm exceeding in intensity any storm recorded within the last thirty-five years burst over the Colony. Several buildings were struck by lightning, one Indian soldier being killed in the barracks of the Punjabi Regiment in Kowloon. Nearly 20 inches of rain fell in the space of 8 hours. The damage, to Government works and property exclusive of Military, Naval and private losses ran into well over a million dollars, and will not be fully repaired under about twelve months. There were landslides, roads were washed out, and nullahs torn up. A huge boulder crashed into the pumping station at Pokfulum, killing 4 men, and seriously interfering with the water supply to the hill districts for some weeks. The lower levels of the City of Victoria were flooded to a depth of several feet and all the ordinary activities of the Colony were suspended for some days. The Peak tram service was totally suspended for a week. The rapidity with which essential communications were restored reflects the greatest credit on the officers of the Public Works Department.
The number of piracies on steamships was greater than it had been for many years. The most serious case was that of the S.S. Sunning", which whilst on a voyage from Amoy to Hong Kong was captured on November 15th, by pirates who had travelled disguised as passengers. Resourceful and daring action, for which the Chief and Second Officers of the ship were mainly responsible, led to the re-capture of the bridge. The pirates endeavoured to dislodge the officers from the bridge, but were repulsed time after time. Finally they set fire to the vessel, but the fire though it greatly damaged the ship did not help the pirates, all of whom were, so far as can be ascertained, either killed, drowned or captured. Of those captured eight were convicted of piracy and hanged.
A Commission was appointed to enquire into anti-piracy measures in general but its report had not been received by the end of the year.
Generally there was a feeling of calm optimism; the Colony had not got through the wood yet, but our enemies, though they had, under Bolshevik influence, striven their utmost, had failed to ruin the trade of Hong Kong.
The Rents Ordinance, which restricted the landlords' right to raise rents was allowed to lapse after having been in force for four years.
The New Year opened with the fire on New Year's day at the Hong Kong Hotel, a great part of which was completely gutted. The damage was estimated at nearly two million dollars. There was one casualty; a bluejacket, who was assisting in fighting the fire, fell from a window and died of his injuries.
As a result of the fire a Committee was appointed to consider the fire fighting organisation of the Colony. Most of the recom- mendations of the Committee have been adopted by the Government.
Another calamity befell Hong Kong when on the night of 19th/20th July, a terrific thunder-storm exceeding in intensity any storm recorded within the last thirty-five years burst over the Colony. Several buildings were struck by lightning, one Indian soldier being killed in the barracks of the Punjabi Regiment in Kowloon. Nearly 20 inches of rain fell in the space of 8 hours. The damage, to Government works and property exclusive of Military, Naval and private losses ran into well over a million dollars, and will not be fully repaired under about twelve months. There were landslides, roads were washed out, and nullahs torn up. A huge boulder crashed into the pumping station at Pokfulum, killing 4 men, and seriously interfering with the water supply to the hill districts for some weeks. The lower levels of the City of Victoria were flooded to a depth of several feet and all the ordinary activities of the Colony were suspended for some days. The Peak tram service was totally suspended for a week. The rapidity with which essential communications were restored reflects the greatest credit on the officers of the Public Works Department.
The number of piracies on steamships was greater than it had been for many years. The most serious case was that of the S.S. Sunning", which whilst on a voyage from Amoy to Hong Kong was captured on November 15th, by pirates who had travelled dis- guised as passengers. Resourceful and daring action, for which the Chief and Second Officers of the ship were mainly responsible, led to the re-capture of the bridge. The pirates endeavoured to dis- lodge the officers from the bridge, but were repulsed time after time. Finally they set fire to the vessel, but the fire though it greatly damaged the ship did not help the pirates, all of whom were, so far as can be ascertained, either killed, drowned or captured. Of those captured eight were convicted of piracy and hanged.
A Commission was appointed to enquire into and 1 anti-piracy measures in general but its report had not be by the end of the year.
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