1918-04-04 — Page 3

Page

Don't you think if some Inubinge in the basement of No 12 had been cut it would tage caused a lot! subsidence -- It might have caused a floor to collapse, but I don't think the collapse of the floor at that are) would effect the whole stene

ture.

The sinking of any floor would natur ally create a panic?-Yes.

Which would cause the people to rush to the staircases, so that the sinking of the floor might lead to the collapse of the whole structure - Indirectly it might havo that effect.

The Coroner: The panic might lead to the collapse, whether that panie was con- nected with anything in the structure or not?--Yes.

Mr. Bowley Cross bracing not only strengthens the spot where it is put in, but strengthens the whole structure

Yes.

COLONEL YOUNG. Colonel Young, late of the Royal Engi neers, who saw the matsheds collapse, said he first noticed a slight depression in the highest point of the ridge.

Questioned regarding his experience he said he had been "bridger" but he bad not built bridges with bamboo Insh ings, which made a great deal of differ

ence.

36

ME LO'S STATEMENT,

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS,

| HONGKONG WAR CHARITIES.

HOW THE FUNDS HAVE BEEN

DISTRIBUTED.

With reference to the letter dated 10th March, from the Hon. Secretary, War Charities Committee, Mr NJ Stabb the Hon. Treasurer, submits the follow- ing statement showing the distribution of the amounts that have passed through the hands of the Committee from Jan. 1910, when the fund was opened, up tỏ

Mr. Lo then addressed the jury, He said I propose to indicate shortly the attitudo which my clients, who are the families of some of the deceased persons who perished in the fire, desire to take up as regards this inquity; and to make certain submissiona on their behalf. Al though they are among the people who suffer most, and are therefore the most interested in the result of the inqury, they do not wish to endeavour to fix the blame on somebody irrespective of whethe 15th March, 1918. This statement ther any blame could properly be found. will be laid before the meeting of the On the other hand, they feel that it is General Committre to be held under the part of their duty to see that if the Chairmanship of .. the Governor at the City Hall on Monday next at 539. disaster was found to have, in fact, been p.m., to which the attendance of the caused by negligence, they should do what British Community is invited-

Esd they could to locate the responsibility

the Order of St John of Jerusalem and to urge that steps should be taken to British Red Cross Society and prevent any roourrence of the disaster.

do not wish to dwell upon the Contral

Committee evidence at any length, because I feel Blinded Soldiers and Sailors that the Jury appreciate it perhaps more But I would like to make than I do.

a few observations. To begin with, I feel that I am right in saying that until Colonel Ward gave his evidence, the evi dence of the technical experts consisted of a series of satisfied commendations upon The the contractors' skill and ingenuity, evidence subsequent to Colonel Ward's evidence, however, including that of the Captain' Superintendent of Police, points conclusively to the fact that the sheds were. built, at all events, upon a faulty basis. There were three hypotheses as to the There is, how cause of the collapse.

Prisoners of War

Core Committee Royal Flying Corps Hospital Others Families Fund Y.M.C.A. Hut Fund

The British Women's Hospital (Star and Garter Building Fund) i French Red Cross Dreadnought Hospital Lord Roberts' Memorial Work-

shops....... British and Foreign Sailors

Society......

Dr. Barnardo's Homes .... Relief in North France Minesweepers' Fund The Blue Cross Fund National Committee for relief

fleur

over, no evidence that a panic was the cause. There is no satisfactory evidence

in Belgium that the sheds were tampered with. The only other hypothesis is that the sheds fell from certain inherent weaknesses, Hospital Auxiliaire 113 Hon. and I submit that the mode of construc ion is more than a possible explanation Shipwrecked Fishermen and That ig all I Mariners Royal Benevolent disaster. the

Fund want to say as regards con-

I want, however, to make Soldiers and Bailors Families

Association

realion

The Coroner: Behind sheds and 15 inclusive there were no supporting struts whaterer on the side towards the Golf Club. In place of the struts the builder put in cross bracing in the party walls of these sheds. Do you consider that that Wils satisfactory substitute for the strutal-I do Diagonal bracing proper-of ly put on is quite sufficient. Every trestle for a bridge is made in that way.just a few observations as regards

Looking at the plan showing the brae ing at the front and back do you think, if you had been orecting these sheds, that you would have considered the bracing at the back suficient?-It is difficult to any at a moment's notice, but if the bracing at the back-was thoroughly fixed to each uprigh; I should think it would have been enough.

the provision of precautions against fire. Although it appears to be common knowledge that matshed fires, once fairly started, can very seldom be put out; though there had previously been several big mintshed fires to act as a warning to the Authorities, the evidence shows that no precaution of whatsoever nature was public taken to ensure the safety of the

admits that in the event of a fire outbreak. A understand it, Mr. Chatham- his department was at fault but he thought that that fault ought to be shared by

Church Army Fund Queen Mary Royal Naval

Hospital Fund... Arethusa, Training Ship Sailors' Memorial Fund Scottish

Women's Hospital (for Home and Foreign Service)

poration Royal Patriotic Fund Cor-

sisting disabled Military and Imperial Association for na

Naval Officers

Now we come to the front 7--The fronts predecessors in title. Well, per Education of cers Child-

to be very insufficiently

seems to "me braced

These sheds were put up for people to see the races-I know, braces would be

in the way.

Can you longe the front entirely open without endangering the security of the sheds-It might have been done by a sort of lattice work above the beds, but that would be sturvely practicable. I do not think you could have made the front structurally sound without obstructing the view in some way. Witness added that to secure longitudinal stability bracing should be connected with the tops of the uprights and the ground sleepers It has been suggested that a source of weakness is the fact that there are three storey matsheds in the row.. Do you think there is danger in having three storey matsheds or not? They could be made structurally sound.

disaster.

ren, Rugby War Memorial... Ladics Emergency Committee

of the Navy League Russian Prisoners of War

Help Committee Indian Soldiers Fund Sub-

Committee County of London War Hos

pital Martouret Hospital (Fonda

tion Allhusen) Recuperative Hostel for Sailors

and Soldiers Serbian Belief Fund Lord Kitchener National Me

morial Fund....

bulance Fund

Society

As Union Jack Club ....

THURSDAY, APRIL 4T, 1018.

SPORT.

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

The second division match which should have taken place yesterday between the Staff and Departments and the esth Company, R.0.A., was postponed, the Btaff being unable to raise à team.

CHINESE INFANT'S STRANGE DEATH

At the Hongkong Magistracy, yester- day, Mr. A. Dyor Ball held an inquiry. into the circumstances surrounding the death of a Chinese female infant.

Dr. McFarlane said there was a small bruise on the top of the head and cause of death was hemorrhage of the brain, which could have been caused by a fall. 24,502. 3.0 Sister Agatha, of the Italian Convent, deposed that she received the child, who 5,817.12.

was in a dying condition, from two women whom she supposed to be the 6,558. 5.1 5,000. 0. 0 mother and the grandmother. There, was 4,197.15 1 3,604. 9. 20 slight swelling on the left side of the

Shend.

Sister Cirilla stated that she looked after the little child for three days, but nothing could be done for the little one, who died. The child was named Cirilla before its death.

2,501 7.101 2,330. 6. 0 2,000. 0.0

1,525. 0-0

The father of the deceased child said 1,500, 0, 0 1,400 0 0, the little one had been sick. four days 1,000, 0.0

previous to being taken to the Convent. 014, 3. 0 3:006. 6.11 He took the infant on February 4th to u goldsmith's shop, and while there the 302 7.11

infant was placed on a cushion on top 500, 0. 0 of a chair. The cushion slipped, but the baby who was very frightened, was 500.00 beld up by its mother. When taken to the Italian Convent the child was danger 341, 8, 1ously ill

The mother of the child said that, while 300.10. 0

in the goldsmith's shop, the child noci dentally knocked her head against the 300 0.0 300, 0, 0 counter, in an endeavour to reach a clocks. Mr. Dyer Ball said no blame could be attached to anyone. Death was dus to hemorrhage of the brain caused by an accidental fall.

300. 0.0

282. 8. 3

200, 0, 0

48

HONGKONG POLICE RESERVE. 200, 0. D ORDERS ISSUED BY MR. F. C. JENKIN, O.B.E.

.200. 0. 0

SEARCH SUPERV18015./ The following revised duties are ordered 200, 0,:0

Ra a result of changes at the Wharves. a) Men warmed for No. 3 (Hau Tax) 200, 0, 0

Wharf will do duty from 8.30 to 9.15 p.m. instead of p.m. (h) Men wamed for general patrol

Import Supervisors (Wharves 1 to 12) will not do this duty, but will, in- stead, do Export duty on No. Tap) Wharf from 7 to 9. p.m

Bar will (c) Men on Import duty first shift.

Wuchow supervise outgoing also

the Steamers (if any) leaving On, Hoi On, or Yuen Yuen Wharves. All concerned will alter their Warning Notices in accordance with above and with Ordera of April 2nd and 3rd.

200.00

200, 0. €

200, 0. 0

200. 0. 0 200, 0, 0

184.14. 4

150.16.2 -100.. 0.0

100, 0. 0 100. 0.0

100. 0:0

BAND PRACTICES,

Ping

Friday, April 5th; Tuesday, April 9th: Friday, April 13th; Thursday, April 18th;

Tuesday, April 30th

CLARIONÉT, ULASS.

Mr. Chatham's predecessors were at fault too, but the really astounding thing

au

me is that although the water pressure was actually tested in 1014 by a respon

the sible officer of the Crown, namely, the A.S.P, and found to be inadequate that did not seem to suggest to any one that Wo some precautions were necessary, have it in evidence that a three inch but as main-erald not gire enough water the race meeting takes place only once a your

it would not have been a very arduous thing for a water tank to be sent to the race-course and a hose con nected as was done in this case after a very great deal of delay. What is more, as far as the evidence goes, it appears that the three storied matsheds were first built about the time of the report British Sportsmen's Motor Am- of the A.S.F on the water supply-Charing Cross Hospital And three storied matsheds, although Soldiers and Sailors' Help they may be well built and structurally sound, have proved to be nothing but death traps in this regards the regulations and inspection I think you gentlemen of the jury will have made up your minds that there were no regulations, that it was never pro fessed there were any. As regards the inspection I think it must have been rather a cursory inspection. Mr. Sara inspected the sheds on three occasions, but the contractor himself admitted that the matsheds had practically not been Marylebone Hospital Supply Joined on February 20th last. If the shods were called upon to carry begun when the first two inspections

100. 0.0 No. 3 Company--100 J. Low, 85 Ho Yan. Depot

100.00 Tak a weight greater than they could bear, were made. Therefore, it really meant Paddington V.A.D. Hospital.

0811 Ambulance-93 Elon Yan Lam, 183

183 Cheng Bhe Kan, 196 Mok Kwan Hing, 169 how would you expect that fact to dis that the sheds were inspected once

Having

to these points thin Halifax Relief Fund *****

Peterbead Minesweeper and

52. 0 0 Mak Biu Ting, Yong Patrol Flotilla Fund

Drummers. 170 Lai Wing Iu, 6 J. A.

Hung. cannot be said in any way to be an Lord Mayor Treloar Crip- unforeseeable occurrence; it could

30.0.0 plis Hospital and College

Com- ought to have been foreseen. In short, it The Children's Aid is not an act of God, but the work of man

mities You will of course, form your own Pipe Fund opinion as to who is to blame, whether the P.W.D. alone or the 0.8.P. alone, or Lady Victoria Herbert's Fund for assisting friendless Pris- both, I am really not concerned, but I sub

oners of War in Germany. mit to you there has been negligence on the part of someone, and having fixed the Boldiers' Club Association ......

close itself?-It is impossible to say. It it is abgar clear that the disaster

might mean that the foox was not strong enough and then the floor would break and go down in the middle.

ربا

Fund

French Wounded Emergency Belgian Red Cross Belgian Prisoners of War in

Germany Montenegrin Red Cross......... Polish Victims Relief Fund ... Syrian and Palestine Belief

Fund

Referring to Mr. Bird's theory, witness said if the whole structure was diagonally braced it would never go out of the vertical. There would not be à collapse responsibility upon the proper quarter, Newspapers for the Flect

sideways.

the important thing is as regards means of prevention in the future, and this

submissions.

Daughters"

Do you think the collapse might have brings me to my matsheds of more Lady Roberts' Field Glass

been caused by cutting the lashings?- Yes, it might, especially if the lashings

were disgoral.

100. 0. 0 Tuesday, April 18th; Friday, April 10th.

100. 0. 0 100, 0. 0 100, 0.0

100 0. 0

50, 0, 0 40.14.0

36.17.10. 25. Q. G

20.0.--0

TO PROMOTION,

Pc. 1 Mow Fung, Warning Officer, re- assumes his former rank of Inspector with seniority of this date.

STRENGTH.

By Order,

T. F. HOUGH, A.S.P. (B.) and Adjutant Hongkong, April 3rd, 1918.

GERMANS AT TSINGTAU."

Dr. Akiyama Civil Governor of Taing- tau, is quoted as saying that there are 20.0.0 about, 300 Germans at Tsingtan, mostly women and children. In the early days 17.12. 1 of the Japanese occupation the Japanes

authorities notified the German 10. 0. 0 military aunt applications for relief- 50 would receive favourable consideration.

No 20

appeals have been made, however, the Germans either helping each other or 209,450. 6.11 obtaining assistance from other German

commatinities in China

Committee Royal Soldiers'

Home I submit that no

Fund storey should be allowed, that than one it repropur regulations framed Lady Lugard Hospitality Fund both

as to the number of persons to be Invalid Children Association...) { nccommodated, the number of exits, etc, Earl of Lonsdale Charing and that in the absence of a sufficient. Cross Hospital water supply from the main, a fire tank, and a fire engine should be in readiness, and that no cooking arrangements should be permitted. If the nature of the case makes these elementary precautions against fire impossible, then I submit that the only alternative is not to have matshede for the races at all, but to have proper brick buildings built.t to hav

If the lashings were but in the base ment of shed 12 would that bring the thed down-I suppose I must say yes, or I shall be asked what the lashings were there for. But a man would never cut ma

the lashings supporting the floor above him and so bring the floor, aimselt It would be suicidal. If the diagonal

Instings in this basement were cut it "would have little effect.

Dealing with various local weaknesses witness remarked that he did not think each shed needed to be stable in itself, but it was necessary that each straight row of sheds should be stable in itself.

The Coronor: Do you consider it dangerous to allow floors of different tercia do not see why hey should not be allowed.

for

My clients do ingt, propose to approach the question from the point of view as to whether or not the lessee were liable, be cause, in any case, they do not wish to pro seed in that connection, but I would like to read to you a very interesting recent case, because incidentally it might be of assistance to you when you consider the responsibility of the Government in the matter I take it that what amounts. to negligence on the part of the lessee would be evidence of want of care to the public

the OD part of the Government. Mr. Lo then read a judgment in a case recently delivered at home in which an inmate of an hotel, who was seriously. Even although you at Aupposed to be injured by a fire in the hotel, ened the It was estab deriving support from adjoining aheda proprietor for negligence.

fished that proper precautions: had not I don't see that that affects it. If been taken against risks and the you have an inficxible front and an in-prietor was held liable. flexible back you can do what you like? The enquiry was then adjourned until

in between.

The witness was then cross-examined by Mr. Bowley on the various points of alleged weakness in the structure.

Pro-

this morning, when it is expected that the evidence will be completed. Mr. Bowley will address the jury on Friday, afternoon.

The equivalent of the above

amount is

The Sub-Committee have ex

pended on materials for the local working parties various guns have been dis-

bursed locally for supple- menting pensions, entertain- ments, tobacco, etc., for the troops, amounting to The expenses of the fund, 20- cluding cables, advertising, discounts and sundries amount to

Total amount expended to

15th March, 1918 Balance of account in London,

ERZI 18%. 8d....... Balance of account in Hong

kong

Total subscriptions to 15th

March, 1919

$558,055.01

101,762.58

11,319,06

$673,218.63

5,103,41

It appears that the German residents have abandoned all hope of the recovery of Tsingtau by Germany, and are endeav ouring to conciliate the Japanese resi dents.

In addition, the following gifts in kind Com- have been distributed by the mittee:

GAIL Lonor. Philippine Co. 40,000 cigars... Meerkamp & Co. cases tobacco. Wasamull Assomull3 chests tea. 2,081.08 La Imular

....1 cases cigar cuttings Philippine Co. 1 case tobacco. Philippine Co2 cases tobacco. Wassiamoll Assomull.5 chests tes. La Insular

I case tobacco cut-

tings 3 cases (20,000 cigars, 19,852 33 Philippine Co.

236-packages to- bacco). C'tone Library, Amoy 4 baskets book. Meerkamp & Co.4 cases tobacco. La Insular..........I e280 cigara Meerkamp & Co... case pipe tobacco, To Lady Roberts Field Glass Fund- 1 stand telescope, 21. hand telescopes, and

65 binoculars,

$698,254.37

N. J. STARE (Hon. Treasurer). Hongkong, 15th March, 1918. (Continued at foot of next Column.)

INTIMATIONS

SUMMER

UNDERWEAR

WADE FOR THE

BVD

·EZIT RETAIL TRAGI

AN ALLY

FOR COOLNESS

“B.V.D. ”

LOOSE-FITTING

KNEE-LENGTH DRAWERS

AND

COAT - OUT UNDERSHIRTS,

AS ILLUSTRATED.

$1.25 and upwards the garments.

WE STOCK AÍSO ALL SIZES"

IN INDIA GAUZE, CELLULAR, SILKEFTE, WOOL, ETC.

LANE CRAWFORD

AND COMPANY.

K&

Stand for

ABSOLUTE RELIABILITY

in

ENGINEERING INSTRUMENTS

vand

DRAWING MATERIALS.

Bize Print Paper, Drawing Paper,

Profile Paper and Cloth,

Drawing Instruments, Drawing Inku, Drawing Tables,

Water Colours,

etc.

Engineers' nnd Architects' Levels, Railroad and Mining Transits, Bange-Finders

Angle Mirrors,

Ranging Poles, Levelling Rods,

Measuring Tapes and Chains,

etc.

BOLE AGENTS:

Andersen, Meyer & Co., Ltd.,

Hotel Mansions,

Telephone 1990.

W Powell

NEW STOCKS!

TELEPHONEIS-49

Lid

JUST ARRIVED!!

GRAFTON'S

COTTON VOILES

FOR

SUMMER DRESSES, BLOUSES, TEA GOWNS, EVENING WEAR AND CHILDREN'S DRESSES.

THE FINEST AND MOST (VARIED ASSORTMENT

ST.

OF PATTERNS

IN THE COLONY.

GEORGE'S DAY CELEBRATIONS.

IN AID OF THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS. THE TOMBOLA.

E Success of the Tombols depends upon the presentation of Prizes and wale of Spills. ***Residents are reminded that all gifts such as Carice, Ornaments, Jewellery, Furnitur Glam, Silver Ware, etc. (clothing excepted), are suitable and they are asked to contribu Buch gifts generously.

Many Ladies are now collecting gifts, and a depot to which intending donors, have not yet been spproached, may send will be advertised later. R

In the meantime everyone is asked to set askle all superfinous articles to make t Tombola a Buccan