CO129-447 - Governor Sir May - 1918 [1-3] — Page 483

•87.

Sir,

REC

21254

No. 1 MAY 18)

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

HONGKONG. 13th. March, 1918.

476

Sar

10781

Jar

5781

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of, and in the name of the community to thank you for your telegram of the 28th. ultimo in reply to mine of the 27th. ultimo reporting the disastrous catastrophe by the collapse of temporary stands at the Race Course on the 26th.

ultimo.

2.

I enclose a photograph of the temporary stande, which are erected annually to accommodate Chinese and other sections of the community principally of the subordinate class, before and after the collapse.

3.

For some reason which is at present under investigation the greater portion of these matshed structures collapsed and most unfortunately the debris took fire immediate -ly afterwards with the result that 570 persons were burnt to death. Of these 532 were Chinese, 15 Portuguese, 14 Japanese, 8 Indians, and 1 Eurasian. Six subordinate Civil Servants (4

Chinese and 2 Indians)lost their lives.

4.

The cause of the collapse is at present

the subject of enquiry before the Coroner and a special Jury and a full report of the proceedings will be furnished to you

as soon as possible.

On the 28th. ultimo I held a special

meeting of the Executive and Legislative Councils whereat

RIGHT HONOURABLE

the

WALTER LONG, M.P.,

&c.,

&c..

&c. ..