1926-01-02 — Page 6

WATSON'S

CELEBRATED

DRY GINGER ALE

Its unique dryness," delightful aroma and rich flavour are features which give this beverage the IMMENSE POPULARITY it deserves.

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A. S. WATSON & CO., LTD.

ABEATED WATER MANUFACTURERS,

....

INDADUNDIAKURDDOG

•Powell

Gentlemen's Outfitters

Hongkong Hotel Buildinge

Poddar Street.

SALE! SALE!!

SALE!!!

SPECIAL WINTER SALE COMMENCES ON MONDAY NEXT, DECEMBER 28th for 4 DAYS ONLY.

We are offering a large Selection of Gentlemen's wearing apparel at prices far below replacement cost,

SEE WINDOWS (After Saturday)

Upon payment of a small deposit any goods witbe laid aside until the 31st inst.

DAIRY FARM NEWS.

FOR BREAKFAST

Ltd.

Try

our Famous Beef Sausages, made from an exclusive recipe; only the best ingredients are used. 40 cents per lb.

The Dairy Farm, Ice & Cold Storage Co., Ltd.

SPECIAL NOTICE.

All new firms and all firms who

have not already sent in their

applications for insertion in the

DOLLAR DIRECTORY for 1926,

are kindly requested to do so

as soon as possible.

THE HONGKONG DOLLAR

DIRECTORY

Wyndham Street,

HONGKONG

THE CHINA MAIL.

HOTEL FIRE.

ARRIVED

NEW VICTOR RECORDS

S. MOUTRIE & CO., LTD.

Victor Distributors

The China Mail

Overland China Mail.

(The weekly edition of the "China Mall" Annual subscription, H.K. $13. Including pastaga $15, payable in advance.)

SATU

AY

work" of the man under him:

Mr. P. Condon, Station Offcort In the was spotted coming but when the their diap

space of time at hose co erned anita

(Continued from page 1.) back of the outbreak had been have not been able to iss

broken, but there was a bad gash statements, Right at the top of the build-in his hand and he was attended. The cause of fire is being in- ing, where the top of the lift well to by Ambulance men.

vestigated.

"

is situated, the flames began The Rev. G. T. Waldegrave Damage will have to be assess spreading. At first the blaze superintended the Boy Scouts ed but a rough estimate is moved towards the windows over-and Mr E Ralphs directed the $2,500,000 this figure being boking the back passage and then Ambulance detachments both strictly unofficial and given for flanked all the way down towards rendering yeomen service in an what it is worth.SI, the tram route-but only on the unobstrusive manner.

Another report is that the In very top. Also the blaze widened Cosmopolitan Volunteers,

surance amounts to $3,500,000;" near the spot where it started' Cosmopolitan crowds of civilians, this sum including the revenue, but the new building (the block on with a sprinkling of service men for a certain period, All figures the Queen's Road side, including started a relay of furniture are subject, to confirmation. the jewellery store of Messrs. movers. Chater Road was soon a A rumour that a room coolia of Lane, Crawford's and the Hotel heap of costly articles, brought or the third floor had been killed or Co.'s motor office) neverthrown out by willing handa in injured has not been borne out and seriously threatened and has not which the naval and military seems likely to be untrue. suffered in the least,

reinforcements showed up pro- minently.

Was

I

Salvage has already begun. Articles taken up to Central Creeping Downwards. Bit by bit the fire crept down To assist the Police, the Surreys Station are being dried and some wards towards the lower floors, threw out a cordon of pickets with were claimed by owners this this factor being most evidentmen at "the fix." However there morning. from Des Voeux Road at which end was no one central authority. On The ladies' department of Lane, the outbreak was the heaviest. the one hand police officers in Crawford, Ltd., has been trans- Parts of the roof caved in at "civvies" and pressmen were held ferred and half of the jewellery intervals. Burning débria fell up without compunction while department facing Queen's Road through floors and ceilings thereby unauthorised men wandered about has been taken over increasing the scope. Added to if the "danger zone:""

not

4

on our New Year rejoicings and for the great and almost irrepar- able losses sustained by so many (Every evening except Sunday. Annual

the danger of the fabric coming Mr. P. P. J. Wodehouse. (C.SP.) subscription,

visitors and local residents. excluding postage abroad, H.K. $86, payable

down was the presence of large as Chief Officer of the Brigade had OLD HISTORY RECALLED, in advance. Local delivery fros.)

Ring in the New.

water tanks on the roof and the a strenuous day and he was assist Everything new is not neces- possibility of their shooting down-fed by all his senior officers

Just about eight years ago à fire. sarily to be welcomed just because wards once the weight became too together with the inspectors from in the Hongkong Hotel was put Central Pickpockets who had down as having originated in the of its state of newness. Novelty great. does not always make for happier The grill room (first floor, ok expected to reap a harvest in the same lift shaft as the one involved conditions.

was Reform is often a building)*

renched Chinese lines of spectators were yesterday.

Chinese plain misnomer for retrogression. The although its ceiling., (the floor of disappointed.

At that time the Fire Brigade. “ Tour of yesterday may be dead the second floor) was burned. clothes men mingled judiciously depended mostly on members of and the Kaiser may be deprived of This flooring is, however, intact. with the crowd and the writer the European Police. The writer all vestige of power; but in the Curious to relate, there are noticed at least two suspicious recalls-Writing strictly from lives of nations and individuals rooms in the old building unaffact-characters, who had apparently memory-the fact that Detective Tears and Kaisers are very real ed either by water or fire. The been peering down the pockets of Sub-Inspector Dorling who went entities in forms other than masses of salt water it was netes-star-gazers, being bundled out down yesterday to superintend the rulers of countries. The greatest sary to pour in to confire the unceremoniously.

Flocking up of the silver in the autocrats, for example, may be conflagration ruined what the fire At no time was there any appre-strong room was one of those who found amongst the extremists in did not eat up. Last night there ciable danger of the old building attended the outbreak the last Trade Unions once they have were six inches of water in Pedder coming down but the facing on time.

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London Offles:The Far Eastern Advertising Agency (London), Ltd., 24, Devonshire Street | Bloomsbury, W.C1.

Hongkong, Saturday, January 2, 1926.

}

FIRE LOSS..

paved for their selfish selves Street and the state of the valu-the roof overlooking the tram lines A detachment had just return- pathway strewn with power, pos- lable grill room can better be seemed to the layman, to bed, in the middle of winter and tion, and pounds. The most imagined than described. One rather unsecure when the beams at about the same time of the vehement denouncers of "olo levewitness described it as aland rafters had gone.

trama

-EXCITING ESCAPES,

Residents' Experiences..

When the fire broke out many Some

Taggart, the Managing Director,ment are honoured eventually in hose batteries and even with of erection situated between residents were dressing.

with rooms

wish for

this

year, from a 14-hour stretch at a customs" have been proved to be reservoir leaking in all places.

Danger of Vibration. big Cheungchau Island blaze. The barnacled with shameless and About 8.40 am, generally At first trams were still run-men were returning to Central tyrannical notions in their rela- accepted as the time when the fire ning, turning backwards in both when they saw the fire engine tions. with their fellow-men. was first noticed.. Round 11 directions from the Post Office, leave the old station in Queen's "Ring in the New" may have a lo'clock there were still some who Then it was decided that there Road. Getting up at the double semblance of a happy sound for thought the old building would be might even be danger to the they turned to, did their work and a fleeting moment. Congratula-gutted. At 2 p.m. it was plainly building from the vibration on were almost immediately called to tions may soon be succeeded by evident that the firefighters were the road. The circuit was cut off attend the disaster at Aplichau Scenes of conviviality and re-

curges. It is, of course, just absolute masters of the situation to obviate any possibility of con-Island (opposite Aberdeen) where joicing over the advent of a New human nature, and nothing else, but it is another question if the tact with any wire that might be almost the whole village was

to live in hope that the mere ring-building has been saved.

severed by falling masonry Year were unfortunately speedily ing in of the new will add to the

of burned to the ground. Those Who Assisted..

which there was hardly any", This last fire was not in day- converted at the Hongkong Hotel sum foul of individual and collec

-Vice-Admiral Sir Edwyn

Charred window frames fell light but late at night. into scenes of havoc and desola- tive happiness only to discover,

from rooms on the two highest very when the ringing sound has Alexander Sinclair was tion wrought by the conflagration ceased and is forgotten, that it early arrival, directing opera-Boors into the passage on the east yesterday. The very unexpected-was only a delusion and a snare. tions mainly from the

of the "old" building. The hose ness of the transformation was. It is, however, fortunate that we corner with the precision of an Alexandra Building. poured u With his constant stream on the corner of sufficient to arose strong emotion should be permeated by optimism trained fire-fighter.

instead of pessimism o71 the fing lieutenant. (Lt. the Hotel and the building which of sympathy-firstly with the threshold of a New Year. Nor Dangerfield) and a signalman, he bow houses the Gas Co.'s show Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, does it matter greatly at the was in constant touch with Naval room, the roof of the latter only extending half-way up the hotel. Limited including Mr. J. H. the direction of a state of better on the Praya, with batches on moment whether resolutions in detachments supervising pumping

Exchange Building-in courše directors, shareholders, and staff the observance or the breach. volunteers doing poineering work Powell's main establishment and were still asleep. Others were at the hotel was attended to by the breakfast and a few had left the -and, secondly, with the numer-The mere ability to make fresh inside the building.

Also noticed was H.R.H. Sub-women coolies and workmen en hotel. The first general warning

With ous guests who lost practically resolutions is tangible evidence of

wooden was the blowing of police whistles", A frame of mind capable of func-Lieut. Prince George, R.N, who gaged there. everything they possessed in the tigning for the good not alone of by the state of his uniform could buckets they cooled the side from all sides. The residents way of personal effects. It was the individual bat of the com- be seen to have been in the thick facing the blaze and ther. tore off whose rooms were nearest the the facing of highly inflammable actual blaze had no choice but to indeed a rude shock to all somunity, toward which each has a of it.

matting.

vacate them as speedily as they If the mere Commodore A. J. B. Stirling, directly affected, and the genuine duty to perform.

Among the many people taking could and this many of them did a "Happy New Year" R.N., must have been principally pictures around the scene was a still in their night attire. So rapid sympathy of the whole community seems, superficially even, to augur responsible for the great practical photographer from Messrs. Lee was the spread of the flames that will be extended to one and all in something more

aid from the Royal Naval Dock- refreshing. circumstances of such a distress mentally, physically, and finan-yard, skilled men giving in Fong, No. 7, Wyndham Street, one gentleman who was dressing what the old year valuable aid where it was so badly China Building, this man obtain hurried to the breakfast room to Climbing over the parapet of when the first alarm was given ing nature. Not only visitors to brought, let that wish be echoed needed.

cially, than

The Commodore waded a remarkable set of snapshots, find his wife and by that time it the Colony, but local residents and re-echoed far beyond the also on the spot..

at the Hotel were narrow groove of the individual Mr. J. Scott Harston (one of some of which are reproduced on was impossibl for him to return affected by the losses, although life. But, let it be free and the Co's directors) was constant parts of the danger zone Lee effects. Others were more for- page. Wandering into other to his room to save any of his antrammelled from the taint of ly in the danger zone and he was Fong secured photos of the view tunate in that their rooms being some were fortunate enough to cant and insincerity and hypo- subsequently observed to be con- from practically all sides. further away from the scene of save their belongings before the crisy." A mere wish for. "A Happy versing with the Hon. Sir Paul

the first outbreak or being on fire reached the height of its New Year" cannot carry very far Chater, who is another director.

It is regretted that Mr. J. H. Even in their distress the lower floors they were able to adve fury.

unless a truly earnest effort be made to encompass the fulfilment Taggart (managing director) hotel management made excellent part or all of their belongings, For a parallel to the distressing of that wish by personal effort was prevented by illuess from arrangements for the people or either by carrying them down- conflagration of yesterday one and personal action, whether it doing what he could for the con- their hands. Accommodation has stairs themselves or by having must hark back to the many dis- be made in relation to the indi-cern which has practically grown been found in the old building and the lowered over the verandahs vidual or the community. "Ring Up under his "nursing." Mr. at Repulse Bay and meals were by ropes. Owing to the curiotia asters that have synchronised in the New by all means; but W. J. Hawker (assistant general being served at tiffin.

way in which the fire spread along with the Yule-tide festivities at ensure that the new is something manager) was here, there and The P.W.D. have barricaded the top floors; one gentleman who Home disasters that have inevit-

wax at breakfast when he heard everywhere. Other members of Pedder Street and put up are. ably cast a gloom over the whole

the staff turned to in all capa-lights. It is understood that a the police whistles and who was THE NEW YEAR..

cities with the result that a sub- survey will be made to-day to unable to approach his room on nation and repressed the general

stantial tiffin was served in the decide vital questions.

account of the danger, was later exuberance of spirits at the ANY HAPPY GATHERINGS Fedder Street corner) long be

first floor dining-room (in the Mr. Taggart's Illness.

able to rescue the greater part of festive season. Unlike many of

As atated above Mr. J. H. his effects before the fire turned these calamities, however, the The birth of the New Year hav- put out!

fore the flames had actually been Taggart, the Managing Director, and swept along the whole length conflagration that marred the ing been celebrated before the understood, will be maintained.

This service, it is has been lying seriously, ill, and of the building towards Des Voeux therefore unable to be on the Road Central. Und it was de- New Year rejoicings here rester disastrous fire which has cast a

Fear of Collapse.

scene of operations yesterday.finitely established that the fire gloom over the Colony, nothing was Shortly after retrieving his On enqiry this morning. It was was utterly beyond the control of day was free from any gruesome absent from the many public and effects he being a resident Mr, learned that Ms. Taggart is much all but the greatest efforts of the list of fatalities. So far as can private gatherings to me their H. J. Pearce of the P.WD was better in comparison with his con- Fire Brigade, a small knot of be ascertained at the moment of success, The Carnival at Repulse basy at work, advising, in a dition during the preceding three partly dressed residents, including writing only one death is to be Bay was marked with the vivacious technical capacity, where there or four days. Naturally, owing several women and children, attributed to the Hotel fire, the

thee and gaity inseparably a part might be danger of collapse to his serious condition, he is waited. hopefully in the public of these funtesons, also the overdow through strain or saturation by being kept in ignorance of yester lounge on the ground floor, some. victim being one of the Naval gathering of the Hongkong Hotel water day's conflagration.

taking the opportunity to don contingent who succumbed to in-

their few rescued garments." Am enjoyable time was spent by Mr,, A E. Wright (Ballding

The Casualties.

When it became only too obvious juries received whilst gallantly xpe 140 guests at the King Edward Authority) arrived afterwards Able Seaman Bachelor, of assisting in fighting the flames. Hotel where the Camiyal spirit was and was unfortunate to sustain a HMS. "Hawkins," who had just them to return to their rooms and that it was out of the question for To the relatives of the deceased, again in ovidence The America nasty fall by slipping on some come out of hospital a few days that even the place, where they and to the Navy, of which he was community gathered at the American petrol which had leaked on to the ago and was

due to go Home were then assembled would in time. indeed az ornament, most genuine Club the Presidents annual dhace rector Public Works) was "Alexandra Cafe building into away to take refligemmany of

shortly, is the unfortunate man Club at the Craigengower Cricket road

The Hon Mr. H. T. Creasy lied, falling from the bid become untenable, they drifted sympathy will be vouchsafed by tool place, the abup's 'oor the entire community. It must H.M.S indeed haveKY

to the beren?

tragic Home

really better than the old!

on the Kowloon

7768

Carnival

Subsequent Steps.

on the scene as were many the passage. He succumbed in or elsewhere in town, many of cutive and dubordinate officers, hospital.

then ret ing later to

consultati with Hotel staff, was taken to

from shell shock,