1948-02-05 — Page 12

*

BUREN

THE PERFECT

SWISS WATCH

CHINA MAIL

HONG KONG, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1948.

'Kwong Tung' Fire Enquiry Jockeys

Telegram

From Secretary Of State For Colonies Expresses Condolences

Main Deck Covered

With Baggage

Preached,

Didn't Practice

London, Feb. 3. After writing

a school гянду on Safety First, 11- arar-old Henry

Hemmings

of Birmingham, was killed today when he slipped from the back of antry from hanging. - which he was Reuter,

incans

on

on board ship the wharf, and after the ship hail sailed. He agreed that there was thus na of cheeking how many passengers were actually board when the ship sailed. Or dinarily, he said, the number of people buying their pasange on board after departure did not ex- eced 100.

WILS free

Each passenger

allowed lbs. about 40

baggage. Above this there was a charge fr excess quantity. This was Erhecked on board after the ship had sailed, when passage tickets were collected.

There was ΠΟ limit to the quantity of baggage carried, long us excess charge was paid,

Witness could not say whether up same practice with regard to ex

was adopted by

other river steamera.

customary

Hurt In Collision

(By "Rapler")

Cine Processing Undertaken. Projection Room Serviceable. ASIA PHOTO SUPPLY

10 low House St.

Shocking State Of Shanghai Street Shelters

Shanghai, Feb. 4.

In the course of their train-Mayor K. C. Wu today promised to investigate con- ditions in winter relief shelters in China's largest city, as the price of rice soared to a new alltime high, promising to increase the num ber of Shanghai's hungry and homeless,

ing. Blue Sky (Mr. K. Kwok)

And

Kiding Meteor (Chinese Bor) came into collision with winnlog other near the each post.

Both riders were thrown off

their mounts. The Chinese Rid-Rice leaped to CN$1,600,000 for a picul (133 lbs.) ·

ing Boy suffered slight concus- sion and had to be carried back to the Jockeys' room where he was attended by Dr. C. C. Ma, who happened to come in to the morning gallops. After ex- amination Dr. Ma ordered that the boy be sent to Queen Mary Hospital for further attention,

Mr. K. Kwok was found to be suffering from a slight injury to his left leg and was able to walk about with the help of a stick.

After the collision both pontes galloped for two or three rounds and were then caught on the course and brought back to the stables without any ill

ffecta.

TEAMS

with a further increase predicted before Chin- ese New Year, February 10. The Mayor's inquiry has been prompted by stories in the English language "China Press" describing Relief Shelter Number Three. More than 300 men were found sleeping

vile toom,

herded into large unlit buildings made of bricks or mats.

The men were sleeping on lenge of raw on a mud Boo late were not allowed to go into the court- ard, making the air inside fetish and

eating.

Shanghai Talks With London

Tel. 83188

Davis Cup Entries

New York, Feb. 3.

nations' Twenty-nine have challenged the United States for the Davis Cup, it was of- ficially announced here today.

the

or.

The draw a determine der of play will be made later this week, All bur four of the challeng ing nations have clected in enth- pete in the Europeau zone. Audralla, Canala, Cuba and Mexico have en- tered for the North American zone,

Zone Competing in the European

be: Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Czechoslovakia, Brazil. Den- mark Egypt, Frative, Great Britain, Luxembourg. Hungary,

tiny.

the Norway, Poland. Portugal, Romania, Spain Sweden. Switzerland, Turkey and Yugoslavia. Last year 22 nations challenged for thais

greatest lawn temis trophy in the world,

in this year's Eleven countries competition dial mot enter is 1947, On the other hand, Greece, South Africa, Monaca und New Zealand, all of not who competed last year, are atmong the challengers this time. Reuter,

Shanghal, Feb. 4, The first radio-telephone con- versation

Shanghai between and London since 1937 was held when the yesterday afternoon Chinese Government Radio Ad- A test ministration conducted they preliminary to the opening of

the line.

Mr. T. C. Loo. managing

Meals consisted of two howlx daily altic paste--a mixture of braken rice and brenn waste, 1oya

They received no vegetable scraps.

sut get a beating drinking

water from the camp Supervisar if tried to step outside.

A large number of those in

ar homes, last wese ave jobe ar shelter have rounded up because they weir shal

According to the paper, relief re- bily dremel or 111. cipietus wept and begged visitors to release the "on ba

the

"In my opinion the potassium chlorate was con- cerned in the fire," said Mr. R. C. Terry, Gov- ernment Analyst, at the official enquiry into the fire on the river steamer "Kwong Tung," which opened yesterday at the Harbour Office. Mr. Terry was giving expert evidence on his analysis of the substances found at the scene

***** of the, fire. He took three samples of white

room to operate the The engine powder which he found on analysis to be

bilge pump, which was the five potassium chlorate.

He

males 11:41

bis J. Jolly, Pro.

seny Assisting Mr.

While in the engine room he the way aricl on Lt.wren dreka were the Court. sident of

the lighting from compradore start found that Commander

Stirling picked up the J.B.I.

suddenly faded out. them to render shore had (RN) and Captain W. Lumsden and requested

Hie immediately connected (Master Mariner).

what help they could.

with the ship's lighting by starterss baggage Mr. C. Y. Kwan held a watch-

He then went down the Staring the dynumo. The ship was Ing brief for the charterers, the Yhut Cheong S.S. Company, Inboard ludder trading to the main in darkness for about 10 minutes. He went up on deck and no- sperler Francklin was for the deck where the Bre had criginal-

saw two seaman fleed that the shore, lighting cable ed, and there Polier, and Mr. K. H Lee, Scere

He immed tary of the Yuen On Shippung putting out the fire with extla-had been broken.

ately repaired it and once again Company, represented the wners, guishers.

About 10% of those in the heye switched on the shore fighting. Before proceedings began, the

He could not say whether there

shelter raised their hands when ask. President read a telegram receiv.

Asked by the President whe- || Wong.

ed who had not had enough to eat. ed by His Excellency the Gover

was any stampede as for most of the time he

In the engine ther he ever made Inspections on Against the Chief and Petty Offi.

Women Kowtow or from the Secretary of States

bul when he emerged the main deck before the ship's cers, II.M.S. Tomar on Sunday, at

Sonic Women kowiewed-banged ile would certainly say that room, for the Colonies as follows:

sald walch-1.30 pm. the C.C.C. will be repre departure, witness did excellent there was 11 a lot of noise.

their heads on the fluar in the Jearn with great regret of the Inspector Graves

In his pinton the breaking of men were specially detalled for sented by:G, Haug Chuy (Cap.

style of showing subservience-hefore W. Hong Sling. In work in controlling the mob go.

Wnceived caused by the this work and instructed to keep tala), HP, Lim,

Social Affairs Commissioner WHA The lire in the S.S. Kwong Tung.ing up the gangway, otherwise the cable have been greater stampede.

a look out for parcels of a sus A.11. email, Cs. Can I Wong Kai-shin, saying they had not had Government Purchasing

Britain that new IQA Please convey my sincere sym- there would

He himself only A.M. Omar, P. Email, R.R. Irance. enough food and begged to be return mission in Two Revenue Off. Chan So, Walchman, said that picious nature. relatives of. th se loss of life,

transmitters and other equip to their husbands and children. cers assisted

"The forward part of the vessel when

CN$40,000,000,000 collected durinx hai shortly, and it is expected crowd.

These watchmen directed pas- the fire broke out.

winter relief campaigns. It cares that upon their arrival servlees Reuter. It was his duty to supervise the sengers to stow their baggage

for 3,000 persone,

uther be started with ax not to obstruct embarkation of deck passengers, properly so

traglé acculent

resulting

זי

athy to the killed and injured."

The Court then adjourned fur half an hour in order to Tamil arize the members of the Curt with the general lay-out of the vessel.

Capt. Trott

He was carried off the deck floor by the mob and carried un to the wharf. At no time did hts feet tach the decks.

was

said it was Hung for friends to accompany passen- gets on hard to see them off. He could give no estimate as to the the number of such friends on night of the disaster.

Inspections

The following are to represent

C.C.C. against the Navy on Saturday at 2 p. S. Ramchand (Captain). G. Hang Choy, P.J. Billimoria, E.A. Lee, R.R. Iranee. D. Leonard, Crabtree, K.Y. Tam J.P. Tsui, A.R. Ismail, Robert Tay. Reserve:

ald

director of the CGRA, conversed Soviet

with Mr. J. Bulchin, engineer of the overseas telephone

de-

partment of the British Post Speed-Skaters

Office, for several minutes.

ATC to

today.

St. Moritz, Feb. 3. The tests

continue The Soviet Union will senil spend- week exceptating representatives to the Euro- throughout this Sunday and it is hoped the Mei- pran championships at Hamar, Nor- vice may shortly be made avail-way, next week, It was learnt here able to the general public.

CGRA, meanwhile, han re The Russins have paid their sub-

the International Skat from Information

thecription to Coming Union during its meeting here and two of the best skaters in the Soviet Union, Kuulrachev, 500 metres see and Petrov, 158 metres skater,

in controlling the he was on the main deck in the made occasional cursory inspe.-B.S. Chowla, LM. Oinar. Reserve: ed a shelter is being supported ayment will be shipped to Shame will contest fumpeau events against

"The whole trouble was that some passengers already in the wharf was trying to make their way track to the ship for their Luggage.

"The fire was already out but Resuming after the adjourn- ment the first witness, Caplain there was quite a lot of smoke of Charles Trott, Master of the s.s.a white and dark brown colour." The Fire Flont had by this Kwong Tung at the time of the

their use of Are, in answer to vark us ques- time arrived and

tions.

A. Kuruneru.

BOWLS

The Annual

"Attaboy" Howie

the

He was not aware of the time the passage-ways and the gang Match will be played at the K.R.G.C. 200,000 refugees reported to have European countries and Southị

He did

on to the

No deck chairs were on hire to steerage but passengers were not prevented from using them pro. vided they caused no obstruction, Private cooking was not allow ed by pussingers.

от

overrun

the

A radio-telephone circuit be tween Shanghai, Hong Kong and Manlin is also contemplated. - Reuter.

the best skaters on the Cominent.~-

ICE HOCKEY POSTPONED

of the outbreak and did not know ways.

on Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 10.30 p.m. there was a fire until he heard

Lunch and Tea will be available and members wishing to partake are the noise of the passengers,

Stayed On Board

requested to book (either by Tele- entering phone to the Steward not jump

their name on the list in the Clubs wharf but remained on board!

Fr.m crowd. tions from the Court, stated that! searchlights gave a lot of assta-controlling the

After the match the presentation uf Could passengers be persuaded Rot later that Sunday, Feis, E. where he was he could not see The Kwong Tung arrived from tance.

Passengers could not be pre-

+ any of the passengers had to deposit their baggage in a trophies will be made to the Winners Canton at 8.00 am, on the morn. ing of the fire and was berthed inted from sinking is the main fallen into the water. He notle-baggage room asked the Preal-and Runners-up in the Club Competi-of China raised in open market rate secretary of the Amateur Athle-that gathered to watch.

decks, but watchmen were al ways on the alert.

on the East side of the -Yuen On wharf.

Light Failed

Mr. J.

10

This compares with an estimated, will streamed into Shanghai during the America,

by past year from areas the civil war,

Government efforts to alleviate the

St. Moritz, Feb. 3. situation have fallen short of

Owing to the hal conditions of goal because of lack of money.

the lee he to the hut won, the ice- Prices Soar

London, Feb. 3

hockey match between Switzerland Gilbert, of Edinburgh, and Britain was postpuned much Commodity prices continue to rier

Central Bank and Mr. EHL Clynes, honorury the disappoinment of the huge crowd and to keep pace

from CN$119,500 to CN$131,500 frtie Association, have been ap There was also no chance of re- d that soINO of the passengers dent, to which the witness repli- tion

open market is thus gain pointed referee of the track and US$1. The

waturn's figure-skating not because they ed they could small baggage : carrying

The Chinese Cadre have Kared their baggage might get|

ing on the black market, which field events respectively in the owing to ice conditions and a start while kaving the ship.

the from

USSI, officially withdrawn

steady at about CN$150,000 10

will now be made with the third Wu Hol Keung, welchmen an mixed up.

of Hong Kong

The city has announced that the

figure tumorrow morning-Reuter. board the ship, stated that he Since there was no check on! Second Division

rates for public utilities will be in- of passengers on Football League.

All outstanding matches have creased tomorrow from 25 to 30%. was at the aft cargo port door the number

-Asociated Press. on the main deck controlling the board before the ship ft, how

was the number on the applies-therefore been cancelled. passengers embarking and direct-

tion for clearance arrived al, ing them to their placts.

was another question asked by the President.

were

He arrived on his ship at 7.30 P.., shortly after the fire, en-

le reckoned that there were quired of the Chief Oficer what the commotion was and told that between 100 and 500 passengers there was a fire in the aft tweenon board at the time of the fire. deck. The frward and aft large The re-Aghting equipment on

opened.board the ship was up to date. doors were cargo port

of the ire the At about 7.05 pm, he saw n The

the time middle door

AL never wns opened,

ship was on shore lighting. This bursts of flame at the foot of the the starboard side failed very shortly after the frestanway en

capvas broke out but it was a matter of and a little later saw anure than 20 seconds whenhose being played on to the fie, the Captain.

"You have seen the disorderly from the which was soon extinguished. He had two gangways in post-lighting was resumed

There was a wild lampede by condition of the baggage on the fion from the forward and after cargo part on the port side. There

the passengers to get ashore but main deck after the fire. Would the ship to was an additional gangway lead

he did not see any of the pas-you have allowed setigers bring any baggage with leave that might, with the bag- ing to the salcon deck,

gage in that condition, if there theat.

All the eargo pert donirs on the starboard alde were always clos ed.

stantiate his statement,

"Goods

were passengers'

snid,

hip's supply.

The shore wiring might have been damaged er disconnected by the crowd's stampede.

Passengers began embarking at 5.00 pm.

The main deck was completely passingers

when he goods. covered with baggage visited it at 7.30 pan.

Powerless "We are powerless to prevent passengers from operating their luggage on the main decks. It is not a proper practice had been going on for many years," he said.

room

Witness said he did not know. as that was the responsibility of

GOLD ON FRENCH FREE MARKET

Paris, Feb. 4.

Gold went on a free market in France today for

the first time since 1939. Government bill to permit free trading in gold was enacted last night by the Upper Chamber of the French Parliament.

He did not see any passengers hadn't been a fire?" asked In A

The Chamber of Deputies, the grammo, is intended to bring Lower House, passed it let gold out of hiding for use by

The merkure, part of the Government's anti-inflation pro-ed

in procedure but the

upon hearing shouts of "fire" he minutes. There was another ap- sion. cases where

the

sinoke.

potasslum

the nation.

The Government had extend

until nocn tomorrow the deadline for turning in 5,000 franc notes, which have been outlawed as legal tender in an other effort to bring hoarded money into circulation.

bills.

This

Olymple Games-Reuter.

Pennsylvania, Feb. 3. Bob Soht, of Michigan University, strain the 100 yards breaststroke here in the new world record time of 48 neepads flat, bettering the official mark for the distance by five-tenths of a second.-Renter.

66

suning

the

St. Moritz, Feb. 1. The historic Olympic Bag was to- night stalen from its runs over the Olympic ire stadhum here probably by an aver-anhitiuus souvenir hun. Leer-Revier.

'Now's the time

for luxury"

du Maurier cigarettes are a luxury at any time."

"And in any mood,

too."

"Of course, Good moments are all the

better for that' exquisite flavour."

"And when the times are 'out of joint" how quickly du Maurier makes them bearable t"

There was no cargo on buard the fire and he at the time of

"It is not unusual for friends from the to sub-

wharf trying to get spector Franklin, manifest produced the

He re-

Up To Captain of passengers to see them off to back on to the boal.

Witness replied that that was amed on board throughout the on the main deck the beats," he said.

for the Captain to decide, but he be luggage."

He could only remember one stampede.

besides Passengers, he had detected

rushing | thought the ship would have week. neension when

carrying hazardous the gangway, were also rushing soiled and the baggage been pro-

up the smirway, and he suggest perly stowed after galling.

Herold Tiplady, Divssionat A baggage

or reserveded that had the people remained

have escaped Oflicer Fire Brigade,

aald the was concerned in the fire." space for baggage would not be calm more could

Fotassium chlorale, he said, Brst call from the ship was re- acceptable to the passenger, who through the stairway.

has been known to explode it Dense Smoke

ceived at 7.15 pm. on Jan. 31 would not leave their baggage.

"Portinl suffocation and the

Chun Sing-ynu, seaman of the and he arrived on the scene with self and to inflame organic mat

City employnes in Marseilles the result of

stampede would

s.s. "Kwong Tung," who said that the first appliance in about three tar in contact with it on percus-

struck and said they would re- have been the chief cause of the

rushed to the fire hose box on pliance and a fire float.

orgenic mat- main out until the Government loss of so many lives,

when it "No starboard doors were ever the port deck but found he could He had great difficulty in get-chlorato inflamed.

redeem the outlawed All the four ladders leading in opened at any time.

not bring hose down the ting on board due to the great ter, the matter itself would prob. announced how and the main deck

chlorate decomposes. cleared "Both stairways were

on the bow Blairway to the main deck owing congestion, but when he did get ably burst into flame while the would

on to the ahip he saw two mem-potassium

Four men were arrested in when he visited that part of the and starn of the vessel were re- to the dinse smoke.

actually forming a white smoke. ship,

adily accessible."

He dropped the hose down the bers of the crew had

fire with Are possibly accounted for the dense Paris after offering to buy 40 Dead low water

None of these who rushed oft side of the

5,000-franc notes at half their was at 6.40

ship, climbed down extinguished the p.m. and passengers could castly the ship were carrying their bag-

after it, and trained the hose on hoses.

people in the water There was no trace of acid on faco value-Associated Press. have jumped ento

the whart i guge.

the fire from an open grill win-He saw from the main deck.

Asked by Mr. Kwan whether dow. The fee, which was some and a European Police inspector, the ship; but this was only to be

expected after the playing of fire KCC DANCE The ship was to have solled at the spreading of luggage on the

eight feet sway from the win-helping them out.

At the scene of the fire he saw hoses on the seat of the fro. 9.00 p.m. that night and in his decks had been a practice for a dow, was put out in about îf-

some while powder and a bottle The samples received from the of so many long time and if it occurred on teen minutes. opinion the Couse

Tho smoke was of a white and fcf held which he took away and Police consisted of two bottles of acid and a stone deaths was panic. The passen- all river vessels, ho replied that gers could have easily gone up to it was the practice.

yellowish colour, and was being sent to the Government Chemist glacial acetic

Samples Analysed lar, of concentrated nitrate acid. the main deck.

blown by the wind towards the

Richard Creese Terry, Govern- Both are dangercus, said witness, gangway.

the meat Analyst, said he collected but he could hardly connect them When he looked down The third witness, Leung Tau.

with the fire. whether the Second Engineer, said he was staircase he could see the fire at various samples from the scene

Potassium chlorate was an ar- of the fire on Feb, 2, and war closed cargo port doors could be asleep in his cabin when the fire the foot of it. opened or not.

brcke out and was awakened by After the fire was extinguished also handed some samples by the ticle which was not readily re cognizable by the ordinary per Franklin the commotion, Asked by Inspector

He left his he saw Ave expended fire extin- Police.

reddish sub-son, concluded Mr. Terry.

Search whether he noticed passengers cabin and went to the aft upper gulshere lying fat on the main

stance which he found to be the deck by climbing up the side of deek in the vicinity.cf the fire. throwing baggage on - to wharf, he replied "No."

the ship. His cabin was by the Lau Moon, another seaman, vegetable tanning extract of

he assisted the similar nature to cutch.

man, in charge of ship searching He noticed firomon picking up side of the engine room on the told the Court.

Threo other: bedies and some were rendering salcon deck:."

previous witness in bringing the

samples were units, told the Court he made a white powder which he found to preliminary Inspection of the first aid. He agreed that the

When he reached the bout deck hose down from the top deck. Police did excellent work.

Hung Yuk-shu, No. 1 compra-be potassium chlorate; and three "Kwong Tung" at 8.30 pm, on

India laid down her terms for) presen William John Andrews, Chief everything seemed to be all over,

Wong Chol, Third Engineer, dore of the ship, was in the box ether samples were charred sack Jan. 81, but

Security Council netian in the Wa when the detailed search said that at about 7.00 pm for more than an hour, and was Ing..

Kashmir dispute yesterday, and when passengers were embark closely questioned by the Presi- The reddish substance was made at 7 pm...

dangerous 10 way

Searches by the Revenue D Fakistan promptly rejected them. There'll never be a better cigarette

No progress VI.B made in ing, he heard a cry of "Savej dent of the Court.

sold that altogether with great difficulty.

partment, said Mr. Redman, wei Hung

three-hour Lite" from the steerage aft tween

Council meeting to- there were 40% passage tickets The potass|LLERİ chlorate,, on for probiblied exports and u

was definitely mailfested cargo; and shy pir.ward the tiling of the con- was then in the engine sola on Jan. 31, made up of 11 the other hand,

In fael and cele which were suspected of be-troversy --Associated Press. of "Fire" from the lower deck room and intended to go up to lat class cabin, 5, 1st class un-dangerous, both

Printed and published for the pro- and immediately connected up the main deck. Leaving the en-berthed, 15 second class 37 2nd also when in contact with other Ing of a dangerous nature were

mibstances.

removed to the wharf. the fire hose, which was located gino room hy saw glow by the class, and 384 slecrago...

"In my No cargo was carried.

opinion,” makl... Mr. ... Hairing was adjourned to 10 Limited, by Walter James - Kratko, j "on the bost deck, and passed it stairway, on the starboard side

potassium chlorate l'an, today.

Winder Housy, Hong Kong.

At 7.30 p.m. there was still a certain amount of excitement, but

he could not say

Oficer, and he was on board at the outbreak of the fire which was about 8.45 pm.

Cry Of "Fire!"

He immediately came out of deck,

his cabin when he heard a cry

lie

Second Engineer

One sample was a

and Inimediately went back into Paunge tickets were sold on Terry, "the

+

鄒 Revenue Officer Joseph Red-

and turns

was net

Arrangements for the Kow- Club's annual loon Cricket Chinese New Year Eve dance! have now been completed.

A first-class dance band has bean engaged and dancing will continue from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m: The hall will be decorated in a red and green motif the club's colours), and during the evening a special buffet supper will be served.

· Members and.

frienda

аго

urged to book their tables for

this event without further delay.

Lake Success, "Feb,

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