CO129-168 - Sir Kennedy - 1874 [9-12] — Page 337

the matter may be refored to the -Right Honorable the Secretary of State for the Colonies

.

I have, sea, (Signed) R. Rowell.

(True copy.) I forstaina Antune

ac

Colonial Secretary).

CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE

TO THE

ACTION OF THE CAPTAIN SUPERINTENDENT OF THE HONGKONG POLICE FORCE

During the Typhoon of September 22-23, 1874.

HON. R. ROWETT TO HON. J. G. AUSTIN,

HONGTON, 23rd September, 1974.

MY DEAR MR. AUSTIN,---Permit me to bring the following circumstances to your consideration in

connection with the Typhoon of last night.

At a little before one o'clock this morning the steamer Albay from Manila came ashore on the Praya, inside Douglas Lapraik & Co.'s wharf and just opposite my office. The Typhoon was at its worst at the time. Loud cries were heard coming from the ship, when lights were displayed and a rope was thrown on board,

The Captain, officers, orew and passengers, to the number of 40 in all were thus enabled to get on shore, and were placed for shelter in the Engine House of the Hongkong Fire Insurance Co. The Captain stated that when he arrived in port last evening there were 46 persons, all told, on board his vessel.

These facts were reported at the Central Police Station by Mr. A. P. McEwen, at 1.30 a.m., and a statement was taken down in writing by Captain Superintendent Deane, who instead of sending assistance to the shipwrecked men, refused to allow any of the Police to turn out, on the ground of its being dangerous for them to leave their quarters in such weather; and this notwithstanding the fact, of which he was also informed by Mr. McEwen, viz., that another steamer was coming on shore at the time he left the Praya,

Mr. McEwen then returned to the scene of the wreck, and together with Lieutenant Prior of H.M. 80th Regi- ment, and Mr. C. W. Baird, he returned once more to the Police Station with 36 of the shipwrecked men, the Captain of the Albay and his 3 officers remaining at the engine house. The men, who were all natives of Manila or Malays, except two European passengers, were then taken care of by the Police for the night.

My object in drawing your attention to these facts is to inquire whether you do not consider that it is the duty of the Police to be alert in moments of great public danger, and whether it would not have been more in accordance with the object the Government bave in maintaining such a force, that they should have been sent wherever their aid might have been needed to save life or property, than that they should have been kept in barracks while private individuals were able and willing to assist their suffering fellow-creatures at some risk to their own lives?

The Hon. J. G. Ausers,

Colonial Secretary

&c., &c., &c.

Believe me, yours faithfully,

(Signed)

R. ROWETT.

No. 165.

CAPT. SUPERINTENDENT DEANE TO HON. J. G. AUSTIN.

Victoria, HONGKONG, 24th September, 1874.

333

Immediate.

STR.In reply to H. E. the Governor's minute on C. S. O. No. 2792, I have the honor to report that I did refuse to risk the lives of the Police under my command by ordering them to leave the Barracks in the height of a Typhoon at 1-, on the 23rd Instant.

Mr. Rowett entirely overlooks the fact that the danger did not so much arise to persons living on the Praya going outside their doors to render aid, as to a body of men taken through the streets of the city, when, in the worial of a local newspaper," the atmosphere was principally composed of tiles, brickbats, jalousies, verandah-beams and foliage."

At 2.50 a.m., however, when the barometer showed that the heaviest blasts of wind had passed, I did turn out the men, and we went over all parts of the town; in some places over our waists in water, and experiencing the greatest difficulty in passing along the roads.

I have further to observe that at least 36 of the crew of the Albay bad been already saved when the report was made, and that the danger of a second steamer was a mere conjecture.

I have had a good deal of experience in typhoons, and I have not the slightest hesitation in saying that I should have been guilty of the most wanton rashness bad I ventured the lives of the Police, before I did, on the night. in question.

As to any ideas of risk to my own life I will content myself with saying that in a previous typhoon, when a fire in the city was reported, I went myself, but would not allow the men to go.

Fhave the honor, &c.,

(Signed)

W. M. DEANE, Captain Superintendent.

to

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The Hon. J. G. AUSTIN,

Colonial Secretary,

&c., &e.. &c.

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