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17. Other items of interest which attracted huge crowds to the Colony were the day and night processions organised by the various Chinese Guilds; illuminations, flood-lighting, firework displays and night flying.
18. It is estimated that from the 10th to the 14th May, about 85,250 persons entered the Colony to view or to take part in the festivities. 54,327 persons were recorded as having entered by river steamers, launches and junks, and 30,920 by the Kowloon-Canton Railway.
19. Throughout the celebrations every available member of the Police and Police Reserve was called out for duty. All leave over this period was stopped, and the men had to work long hours under trying conditions controlling traffic and pedestrians. The Criminal Investigation Department devoted special efforts to rounding up pick-pockets and criminals of this type and so to protect the crowds of sightseers.
20. The complete absence of untoward incidents or serious accidents is a great tribute to the general public who showed good humour and willing response to Police control.
21. The Police are much indebted to the Chairman and members of the Chinese Processions Committee for their helpful co-operation in adjusting their arrangements to traffic requirements.
22. Letters of appreciation of the work done by Police were received from His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government and Mr. Ho Kam Tong, Chairman of the Coronation Celebration Chinese Processions Committee.
23. "Dojima Maru" Disaster. At 8 p.m. on the 17th May, 1937, the steam launch "Dojima Maru", owned by the Osaka Shosen Kaisha, which was lying alongside Queen's Pier embarking passengers for the S.S. "Rio de Janeiro Maru", suddenly blew up with a terrific explosion. Of the 48 persons on board - all males - 4 members of the crew and 27 Japanese passengers were killed outright, while 2 Japanese subsequently died in hospital; a total death roll of 4 Chinese and 29 Japanese passengers.
24. Police and Fire Brigade were quickly on the scene and, with assistance rendered by passers-by and several medical practitioners who came to the scene, the wounded, totalling 15, were sent to the Government Civil Hospital. The dead were removed to the Mortuary. Men from His Majesty's Navy also rendered great assistance in the rescue work.
25. An enquiry was held by the Senior Police Magistrate sitting with a special jury. Expert evidence established that the explosion was due to the boiler of the launch bursting through fatigue of a steel strip with which the boiler had been
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17. Other items of interest which attracted huge crowds to the Colony were the day and night processions organised by the various Chinese Guilds; illuminations, flood-lighting, firework displays and night flying.
18. It is estimated that from the 10th to the 14th May, about 85,250 persons entered the Colony to view or to take part in the festivities. 54,327 persons were recorded as having entered by river steamers, launches and junks, and 30,920 by the Kowloon-Canton Railway.
19. Throughout the celebrations every available member of the Police and Police Reserve was called out for duty. All leave over this period was stopped, and the men had to work long hours under trying conditions controlling traffic and pedestrians. The Criminal Investigation Department devoted special efforts to rounding up pick-pockets and criminals of this type and so to protect the crowds of sightseers.
20. The complete absence of untoward incidents or serious accidents is a great tribute to the general public who showed good humour and willing response to Police control.
21. The Police are much indebted to the Chairman and members of the Chinese Processions Committee for their helpful co-operation in adjusting their arrangements to traffic require- ments.
22. Letters of appreciation of the work done by Police were received from His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government and Mr. Ho Kam Tong, Chairman of the Corona- tion Celebration Chinese Processions Committee.
23. "Dojima Maru" Disaster. At 8 p.m. on the 17th May, 1937, the steam launch "Dojima Maru", owned by the Osaka Shosen Kaisha, which was lying alongside Queen's Pier embark- ing passengers for the S.S. "Rio de Janeiro Maru", suddenly blew up with a terrific explosion. Of the 48 persons on board- all males-4 members of the crew and 27 Japanese passengers were killed outright, while 2 Japanese subsequently died in hospital; a total death roll of 4 Chinese, and 29 Japanese pas- sengers.
24. Police and Fire Brigade were quickly on the scene and, with assistance rendered by passers-by and several medical practitioners who came to the scene, the wounded, totalling 15, were sent to the Government Civil Hospital. The dead were removed to the Mortuary. Men from His Majesty's Navy also rendered great assistance in the rescue work.
25. An enquiry was held by the Senior Police Magistrate sitting with a special jury. Expert evidence established that the explosion was due to the boiler of the launch bursting through fatigue of a steel strip with which the boiler had been
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