NEW, 1929 GRAHAM-PAIGE
SEDAN and TOURING MODELS
Touring from $2,300–Sedan from $2,550.
Sale Distributors for Hong Kong & South China:
KOTEGATE & CO. Pedder Building, 3rd floor. Telephones C. 93 and C. 741.
ChinaTMTM Mail
BAT
ping Lurustury
No. 27,125
HONG KONG
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1929.
HIGH LIGHTS
OFFICIAL CASUALTY LIST
MR. ENOS SETH STILL MISSING
FIRE BRIGADE DENIAL
Mr. Robson's Funeral This
Afternoon
MORE INSURANCE FIGURES
High lights on the big fire at the King Edward Hotel are given below. Up to the time of going to press the body of Mr. Enos Seth had not been discovered, despite the fact that the rains of the building have been thoroughly explored by salvage parties,
Together with the oficial casualty list a statement emanating from Fire Brigade headquar- ters is published.
Mr. Robson's funeral takes place this afternoon with military honours, including the attend- ance of members of the Scottish Company of the Volunteers and a firing party from the King's Own Scottish Borderers.
SURVIVORS RELATE EXPERIENCES
The official Police list of the nine
killed persons
at the fire la as under:-
Mr. D. J. Robson (Assistant Naval Store Officer, Royal Naval Yard).
It was pointed out that all those who jumped from the lower floors were safely caught in the canvas. Those who were killed were those who jumped from the fifth floor of the hotel building. They missed the
Mrs. D. J. Robson (wife of the canvas. above)..
Mr. P. Baille (French). Stephen Kish, (American) (2nd Class Fireman of the U.S.S. "Memphis"),
In this connection several things. It is pointed out off- cially, had to be taken into consideration, principally the height of the jump. From the fifth floor the jumping sheets spread out in the street below would neces- sarily appear a small target to jump Mr. Wong Kwong-leong of Can-straight into. Then It must be con- ton, brother of 'the above lady.
Mrs. Tsui Kam-shiu, allas Dr. Wong Yuk-ying, of No. 36, Pak Tse- road, Canton.
Mr. Cheung Hel-kang, secrotary to General Chan Ming-shu.
Mr. William Woods (British) of the W. E. Woods Co., of Wellington, | New Zealand, owners of the Great Woods Peppermint Cure.
sidered that the rescue work was carried out at night, and this, too, may have contributed to error of judgment on the part of the jump- era.
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THE BIG FIRE
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Both the Robsone were short- WOODFULL GETS A LI CHAI-SUM ON
sighted and, in view of what has been said by a boy who is now in hospital, it is presumed that with the smoke and because of the dark- ness they bad little idea as to the position of the jumping sheet at the corner of the lane and the pave- ment. Their bodies were both bad- ly mutilated by the fall. All with whom they came in contact and, particularly, the Hotel staff, speak very regretfully of their exemplary courtesy to everybody. They were in the prime of life and will be long remembered.
CENTURY
THE FIFTH TEST
VERY PATIENT BATTING AT MELBOURNE
RYDER'S 1,000 RUNS
HUNAN STRIFE
OPTIMISTIC VIEW
PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF IMBROGLIO LIKELY?
CONGRESS SECRETARIES
SIR SIDNEY BARTON AS MINISTER
IN ABYSSINIA
SHANGHAI CONSUL - GENERAL'S PROMOTION
DISTINGUISHED CAREER
Shanghai, To-day. His Majesty has approved of Bir Interviewed by Reuter, Marshal Sidney Barton, H. M. Consul-Gen- Li Chal-sum was optimistic as toeral in Shanghai, to be Envoy Extra- the peaceful settlement of the Hu-
ordinary and Minister Plenipotent!- nan imbroglio. Otherwise he was
At Melbourne this morning Aus- tralia added 61 runs to their over- night score for the loss of another wicket, Ryder being caught in the Tales of Survivors
gully off Tate after compiling most To Chat, the room "boy" on the patiently the total of 80. Patient non-committal. He stated that heary at Addis Ababa, Abyssinia. 3rd floor who was severely injured batting, in fact, characterised the is arranging to leave for Nanking Reuter. and is now in the Government Civil play throughout, runs coming by this evening, Hospital, has spoken about his ex-ones and twos. periences but, unfortunately, condition is such that he is still prone to rambling in his talk. He says persistently, however, that from the 3rd floor he could not see the jumping sheet because of the smoke and the darkness. Faced with no alternative, however, and preferring to take a risk he leaped down.
cer at the R.N. Dockyard. The Hong Kong
Defence Corps, of which he was a member, is sending a detachment and the 2nd Battalion the King's Own Scottish There are two flights of stairs in Borderers will provide the firing the hotel'; one, the main stairway of party. The cortege
the wood, which was burned out, and; Monument at 5 p.m.
the other, the fire escape, of stone, at the back of the building.
passes
It was also intended to inter the remains of Mr. P. Baille (Max Pickman, the lusioni) to-day but, the "China Mail" learned on inquiry, the papers for the three funerals had not been signed then.
The funeral of Leung Kwan, the room "boy," la also being held this afternoon, when the whole staff will attend.
!
Ambulance Aid Exceptionally good work WOR dows by the St. John Ambulance corps, who arrived promptly on the scene, assisting those who were in the members of the Corps rendered medical and other assistance to the injured, working assidously until
a
There was a crowd of 5,000 when the game reopened, states Reuter, in very hot weather, with the wicket on the fast side, Ryder made couple of fours with drives to the off during the morning and these were the chief hits recorded. The "Aussio" skipper, in the course of his innings, completed his quota of 1,000 for Test cricket,
W.
Fairfax,
Yeh
Sir Sidney's Career Shanghai, Yesterday.
Sir Sidney Barton, K.B.E., C.M.G., Marshal Li Chai-sum arrived this who succeeded the late Sir Everard afternoon from Canton, and is stay- Fraser as Consul-General at Shang- ing with Mr. Chu Chang-nien, Coun-hai in 1922, was born in 1876. In sellor of the Foreign Office.
1895 he came to China as student Nanking, To-day. Interpreter, was employed on ape- The Central Executive Commit cial service at Weihaiwel from tee of the Nationalist Party has ap- December, 1899, till October, 1901, pointed Mr. Tai Chi-tao chief secre-acting as Assistant Commissioner. tary and Mr. Chu-chang Was interpreter to the British Con- acting chief secretary of the third tingent, China World Force, during national.congress of the Nationalist operations at Tientsin, from June Party. The appointment of Mr. 26 till July 31, 1900. For his ser- Yeh as acting chief secretary is bevices then he received the China cause of Mr. Tai Chi-tao belag in Medal with clasp and was mention- ed in despatches. He was pro- Marshal L is commander-in-Consul at Peking in 1901, and chief of the National troops. In later Vice-Consul at Tientsin, and Kwangtung and Kwangal, chairman Shanghai. Employed in the Mixed of the Canton branch of the Central Court at latter city and was called 19 Political Council and Chief of the to the Bar at the Middle Temple in
When his 1910. In National General Staff.
he was Chinese 38 very close colleague General LI Secretary at Peking and was award-, Tsung-jen became embroiled with ed the C.M.G. in 1918. In 31 the National Government at Nan- 1917 he was given the local rank king following the Hunan coup, of 1st Secretary in the Diplomatic 12 Marshal Li was appointed by Nan- Service and of a Counseller of Em- king as one of the commission to bassy in 1919. Was made K.B.E. investigate. Marshal Li's visit to in 1926. Sir Sidney la the youngest Nanking is to serve on the com- son of the late Captain James' 137 mission and to attend the third Barton, RN. and Mary Barbara,
Nationalist Party,congresni
142
The 200 went up after 321 min utes' play and shortly after lunch was taken with the score 203 for three wickets. Ryder lost his wicket by the fifth ball of the last mourning-Reuter. This fire escape leads off each over. floor upwards to the roof, whence ENGLAND~~~1ST INNINGS there is a bridge across the lane J. B. Hobbs, 1.b.w., b Ryder to Alexandra-building, and down | D. R. Jardine, c Oldfield, b into the basement.
Wall Down Drain Pipes
R. Hammond, c Some on the 3rd floor, when they b Wall were roused, failed to reach the E. Tyldesley, a Hornibrook, b fire escape or were too far away Ryder.. to climb along verandah ledges to G. Duckworth, c Fairfax, b
Hornibrook the Savoy Hotel. In the meanwhile, those on floors higher up who had E. Hendren, c Hornibrook, b begun to move still had me to reach the fire escapes who M. Leyland, were fremmed back by the ing eaten its way up the main stair case and the wooden landing.
Leung Kwan, a room boy of the Chan Ming-shu, chairman of the jured. From 3.30 am.. yesterday Degan to mɔve a litt medaler
King Edward Hotel.
Andre
Injured Persons Improve All five injured persons (General Kwangtung Provincial Government, Of the above, Mr. Robson and Mr. Mrs. Chan Ming-shu, Woods were burned to death. The Piccioli of the U.S.S. "Memphis," others met their deaths through To Chat and Ng Ka-yin of the hotel missing the jumping sheets in leap- staff) spent as comfortable a night ing from the upper floors of the burning building.
I
The official Police Ist af Injured person number, five, as follow:-
General Chan Ming-shu. Civil
Governor of Canton.
Mrs. Chan Ming-shu. Androw Piccioli (American), 28 усага of uge, of the 11.9.5. "Memphis."
To Chat, room boy of the King Edward Hotel.
Ng Ka-yuen, kitchen boy of the King Edward Hotel.
Coroner's Inquiry
that a The Police report adds Chinese Naval Captain surnamed Ma, who had been reported missing for a considerable time yesterday was seen alive last evening.
It was learned at the Central Magistracy this morning that a Coroner's inquiry will be held by the First Magistrate, Mr. E, W. Hamilton, and a Jury on Friday afternoon, into the death of Mr. William Woods.
At this inquiry, It is understood, an opportunity will be taken to go into the various aspects of the en- tire affair although, as in the case of the Race Course catastrophe 11 years ago, the Inquest will only be on one person.
On inquiry at the Central Fire Station this morning, a "China Mall" man' was informed that there was no likelihood of an official re- port of the fire being available for some time, as there are still many things to go into before any such report could assume any semblance of completeness.
Still Untraced
Mr. Enos Seth, a member of the well-known family, who was on a visit to his cousins in Hong Kong, is still missing and the opinion is expressed that he must have perish ed in the flames.
No trace of his remains had been
discovered up to two o'clock this afternoon and it was not anticipated that anything would be found. It was pointed out that if the firs could melt fron bedsteads, anyone who was caught in the thick of the blaze could be burned to cinder.
Brigade Denial
Many prominent persons in the Colony visited General and Mrs. Chan yesterday, among them being
dawn.
men
A few of the hotel staff, like one
Fairfax
Oxenham...
9
Fairfax,
b
H. Larwood, b-Wall- G. Geary, b Horalbrook
M. W. Tate, c substitute,
Hornibrook
3
C. White, not ent
Total
Extras
4
15
Transports Active
Nanking Yesterday." Four transporta fall of pro-Nan- 9king troops sailed up the Yangtsze 13 River during the last 24 hours and about ten more transports are still anchored at Nanking.-British
519
as could be expected and have made, St. John Ambulance
It is also worthy of note that the or two of the American blue-J.
turned jackets, made considerable pro- improvement.
out to assist victims and preserve gress downwards by going through They are all in better condition order in the destructive are on bathroom windows to the drain than yesterday.
Fall of wickets: 1 for 64 runs Saturday morning, when a three-pipes and climbing down these.
Those who ran down the fire (Jardine), 2 for 146 (Hammond), stareyed building in Jervois-street
for 235 (Hobbs), 4 for 240 (Duck- was gutted, and the same duties escape some went up and over to
Alexandra-bullding and safety- (Tyldesley), 5 for 260 was undertaken by them during found themselves in the basement. worth), & for 401 (Hendren), 7 for the small hours of Sunday morn-Smoke had begun to all the place 409 (Larwood), '8 for 428 (Genry), ing, when a Chinese house ia Wing Lok-street was burned down, and the relections of the flames 9 for 470 (Tate), 10 for 519
in the glass of the windows creat- (Leyland). ed an eerie effect, as though flames were reaching down on the ground floor and basement.
DEMAND FOR NEWSPAPERS
In view of the great demand of the "China Mail" yesterday and today, it has been decided to print a larger edition than usual of the "Overland China Mail," which will contain che full story of the catastrophe at the King Edward Hotel to- gether with reports of the funerals of the unfortunate victims. This will enable our readers to send Home a com- plete and connected narrative of the whole disaster-the worst in the history of hotels in the Colony. The "Over- land China Mail," the only illustrated weekly published locally, will be ready as usual in time to post by the Home- going mail. Orders for extra copies should be placed im- mediately to
prevent dis- appointment,
H.E. the Governor (Sir Cecil Clementi, K.G.M.G.) who was pro- fusely thanked by General Chan, and Mr. Li Yau-daun C.B.E., Chairman of the Hong Kong Chi- nese General Chamber of Commerce.
Excavation Heid. Up
That part of Ice House-street be- tween Des Voeux-road, and Chater. road has been fenced off, but the east side pavement la passable.
Excavation by the Sanitary De partment was carried through all
The Third Floor
Five of the nine who perished in the disaster were on the 3rd floor, one on the 4th and three on the 5th (top).
From accounts of some of those who escaped, it appears that per-
sons on the 3rd floors were in the the flames greatest peril because
The lock of Wall the basement door (into the lane) Hornibrook was smashed and a number reach- Oxenham ed the stroot by that exit after Grimmett having gone down the fire escape. Fairfax
Ryder Property Dropped
The sensational speed with which Kippax
Naval Wireless,
48-HOUR WEEK
BRITISH GOVERNMENT ASKS FOR REVISION
LEGAL AMBIGUITY
Geneva, Yesterday. At a meeting of the governing body of the International Labour Organisation, the Minister of La bour, Sir Arthur Steel-Maltland,
1 expounded Great Britain's reasons
1911
younger daughter tillarid Barclay, 10th Baronet of Fierston, Ayrshire. He married in 1904,
Mary Ethel Miss
Winifred MacEwen, elder daughter of Mr.. Alex Palmer MacEwan.
.
THE TUNNEL
IDEA STRONGLY. WELCOMED BY LORD DERBY
RELATIONS WITH FRANCE
སྐ
In all parts of England Inter- est In the proposed construction of to a tunnel under the Channel connect England with the Con- tinent is rapidly growing.
Men prominent in every sphere are publicly expressing their belief
for not ratifying the Washington in the desirability of it.
BOWLING ANALYSIS.
49
Q 蟹。 R. W. B 123 3
48
3 8 142
45.1 15
86
1
.26 11
40
0
.27 4
84
.18
5
29
2
ន
2
0
the conflagration sprand mitigated AUSTRALIA-1ST INNINGS against any attempt by the staff to W. M. Woodfull, not out ....... rally. All was confusion from the A. Jackson, run out
forty-eight hour week Convention.
In a special communication to
102
30
He said that Great Britain has the "Daily Mail." the Earl of Derby always favoured the principles saya:
88
8
underlying the convention, both in As a private Individual, wishing theory and in practice. He also to see a better relationship be- -declared that British Industries, į tween England and France, 80 with very few exceptions, have strongly welcome the idea
I
203
actually conformed to the Washing. tunnel. ton principles. '.
of a
He mentioned that the matter
had practically cut off possible exits shortly after the alarm. Residents in rooms at a distance from the fire escape (on the western side, Le by the lane separating the hotel from Alexandra-building) had & effects. Those who went over the J. S. Ryder, c Hammond, b Tate chance in the first few minutes, roof dropped most of what they Once that chance was lost, they carried and this was consumed by were completely isolated.
the flames.
moment the alarm went round. A A. F. Kippax, e Duckworth, b few got out with a handful of White
Mr. P. Baille, Mr. Cheung, Hai- Of the staff of a hundred or 80, kang (secretary
indeer Can only about thirty were on the pre- Ming-shu), Mr. and Mrs. Wongmises at the time, the majority Kwok-leung of No. 86, Pak Tse being in their quarters (near the road, Canton, Mrs. Wong also being fire escape or other exits) and the known as Dr. Tsui Kam-shi, and minority being made up of room Leung Kwan a "boy," were all on boys on each floor. the third floor. All five jumped into the streets and were killed.
had retired for the night.
Temporary quarters' for the staff have been provided by the manage- ment in a Chinese hotel. ¦
The bar was closed as usual at midnight aud, by about 12.45 am, Mr. and Mrs. Wong had only all those who lived outside had gone arrived in the hotel at 11 p. and the rest of the employeeN four hours before the outbreak. They had come down specially to meet their son who had been studying abroad and was return ing. Much sympathy will be felt with Mr. Wong, Jr. in his bereavement.
Mr. & Mrs. Robson Second-class Fireman Stephen Kish of the U.S.S. "Memphis," who with several other American blue-
+
jackets took night-beds, was on the
Insurance Figures From further inquiries, t ap pears that the respective owners of the block of buildings and the two hotel companies are fully protected by insurance.
. Extras
Total (for 3 wkts.) Fall of wickets:-1 for 54 runs
Sir Arthur emphasised the fanda came up for discussion recently at (Jackson), 2 for 143 (Kippax), 3 mental danger of ambiguity in in the Liverpool Chamber of Com- ternational law, in 80 far as merce, of which he is president, for 203 (Ryder).
that each nation is able to apply its and recalled that he on own Interpretation. The submis occasion gave his opinion that- sion of ambiguities to the Perman-
REPARATIONS
FUNCTIONS OF PROPOSED NEW BANK
EXPERTS AGAIN MEET
London, Yesterday. The Committee of Experts on Reparations held a plenary session this morning in Paris and discussed the functions of the proposed new international bank for dealing with reparation payments.
new
ent. Court of International Justice was a remedy almost worse than the disease,
He further contended that these ambiguities warranted the govern- Ing body putting forward the Con- vention for revision.-Reuter.
HOME WEATHER · ENGLAND REVELLING IN MILD
HEAT WAVE
London, Yesterday. Great Britain and Europe gen
rally are now revelling in a mild heat wave as a contrast te recent
Arctic conditions.
There has been no rain, and the
A
would be of tunnel the greatest possible value.
in
er
A
cles-- the-
two
bringing about relationship between
countries (England and" France), and there is no doubt. a tunnel would materially asalat: the interchange of visits, both official and private:
Holiday Traffic
Then there was the second point of view which must be taken into consideration-name- ly, that if a tunnel would make it easier for people to come to England it would equally make It easier for people to go from England to the Continent.
The Sub-committee, presided over by Lord Revelstoke, one of the The China Land Investment Co.. British delegates, was appointed to last night and this morning. It
owners of the King Edward Hotel draw up a report regarding the shows that not one of the storeys čiḥ Noor. His comrades escaped premises, have insured their inter- functions of the new bank especial-
There is a great attraction to has had all its flooring carried away, but Seaman Andrew Piccioll was esti in the building and the Hongly in its relation to the exchange serious floods which were previous holiday-makers to go abroad, there being pieces of each left. injured.·
Kong Land Investment, & Agency market and to measures to prevent
and in some ways the attractions ly apprehended have not materialis=" Most of the damage was above the Mr. and Mrs. D., J. Robson were Co., Ltd., mortgageed have inaur-heavy fluctuations in that market.
abroad outweigh the attractions main entrance, mostly In the direc- on the 6th floor as was Mr. William ance for $275,000
The new sub-committee will ed.
16. THI offer at home, though tion of Des Voeux-road and partly Woods and Mr. Enos Seth. The| The Land Investment Co. are also consider.
how the
Reports from, Cologne state that
one hopes that the balance may up Ice House-street, in
Rabsons' room was at the corner of also owners of the Savoy Hotel bank would stand in con- the sun has assisted ice-breakers
be altered soon... I felt there- A definite denial was made at the Up to this morning no body had Des Voeux-road and the back lane premises, which are Insured for nection with the Central. Banks and the use of dynamite in avert
for that we should have to Fire Station this morning of the been found. The second floor had so that they were cut off very short- $401,600 and two years rental, of the issue and what credits ing a catastrophe. The milder
think what effect holiday traffic allegation made in another paper been excavated. A part of the ly because the main ebaircase and Both the land investment Co.e its resources would be able to bear weather on the lower Rhine has re-
through a tunnel would have on that some of those who jumped were flooring of the third floor then stood landing was ablaze and they would policies are with the Hong Kong and, lastly, how the capital of the sulted in the breaking up of masses
our own
wn seaside resorta. killed because they went through the in the way, the Public Works De- have had to pass that way either to Fire Insurance Co., Ltd which, It new bank would be constituted of Ice which were packed near the
frontier. WE
Lastly, there if the use of the Jumping sheets,"
partment insisting on it being reach the fire escape or the Bavoy is stated, las re-intred on usual | British Wireless Service. Only two sheets were in use dur-shored up before, anybody will be Hotel. Bir. Woods, however, oc lines with other companies..
The floss have moved seaward tunnel for commercial purposes. allowed to go on to it. After the cupled a room adjoining the Savoy The Savoy Hotel's 3) property
before the snow waters from the Undoubtedly it would be a great third floor, it is hoped to work on Hotel and near the fire escape". It fully coNNI
mountains and the loe from the advantage not having to break toward the top, ca
Is thought that, as the result of Are, as is that
upper reaches have begun kurb- bulk, and being able to sand goods. Arrangements have been made for a previousness, he failed to Hotel, which
ciably to move. It is therefore, right through to thels destination; a military funeral for Mr. D... J. realise the situation and thereby $140,000.-/-
unilkely, that the river wil food but at the same time. It would Robson, Assistant Naval Store Off-lost his Hie.
(Continued os
to any serious extent. — Reuter, have to be considered at what costu
ing the fire. They were both shown
to a "China Mail" reporter this morning and were in perfect condi- tion, not a stitch being broken in the whole of the surface of thé stout canvas.
AY'S DOLLAR
losing rate of the dollar on to-day was 1/11/18/16.
No comments yet.
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