CO129-448 - Governor Sir May - 1918 [4-6] — Page 291

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N°

142.

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Sir,

C.0

34015

290

REC

F JUL 18

GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

HONGKONG. 16th. May, 1918.

Ber 2125.4.

now

In continuation of my Despatch No. 87 of the 13th. March last, I have the honour to forward for your information the enclosed copy of the finding of the Coroner's Jury after a patient enquiry extending over 21 days conducted with ability by Mr. J. R. Wood, Acting Firat Police Magistrate.

2.

The Coroner put no questions to the Jury

on the conduct of the Government Departments concemed in the enquiry because, as he explained, he thought it desirable that any language adopted or criticism made should be in the Jury- -men'e language. He indicated at the same time "that whether a verdict of criminal negligence against any person concerned was found, it would appear that this calamity was one which could most probably have been prevented by the exercise of foresight and foresight which one might reasonably have expect- -ed before the event and which one certainly found easy to expect after the event".

3.

The most important part of the Jury's

finding is the animadversions made upon the Public Works

Department and the Police Department which comprises the Fire

Brigade.

With reference to the Jury's remarks on

(a)

these Departments, I desire to emphasize the following points:

E RIGHT HONOURABLE

WALTER LONG, M.P.,

&c.,

&c.,

&c. ..