1925-09-05 — Page 5

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RESCUE WORK.

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER

SEQUENCE OF EVENTS.

The experts have explained how, once

In order that I may deal with the whole question of responsibility for loss of life the foundathus began th slip, movement before proceeding to other matters, it would take place in the mass abore. This will he convenient to considers at this large mass rapidly acquiring momentum, stage the arrangements mute for the it is suggested, overturned the wall, push. resotie of persons buried alive under theed up the surface of the lane and kitchen with part of the subsoil below, ad thrust, the whole, mass forward into the base of the houses. The whole affair was over in twenty or thirty seconds, and except as regards the initial movement the sequence of events is of no great importance. Several movements no doubt took place simultaneously. M

"ཎྜ, དྷྭ་

RIDERS

We also with to add this allowing riders,

1-Examination has shown that retsin

HON

RENTS:

PETITION TO H.E. THE GOVERNOR!

ing walls in this vicinity appear to be ACTION, BY TENANTS PROTECTIVE

ASSOCIATION: built similarly to the No. 1 retaining wall; that the foundations are on gradite in a forward state of decomposition and that there is a constant seepago of water A petition has been presented to H.E. from the basis thereof and it is therefors The Governor by the Hongkong Tenants recommended that such walls be thorough Protective Association, saking that the ty examined by experta and immediate steps taken to strengthen and/or rebuilds Rents Ordinance, permitting an in- se

As you are aware the problèns was a very difficult one, and misdirected effort, however well intentioned, was likely

crease in "rents of not more than 15 per to hinder rather than advance rescue

This jury argently recommends than cent of the standard rent shall be work. I think you will agree that the

The ninsoary of the wall was clearly the Government appoint a Commission suspended until trade conditions in the atarost, possible, was done to extricate

very good, as has been shown by the of Experts to investigate the questions of Colony return to normal. without further injury, and" when

difficulty oxperienced in breaking it up. responsibility and supervision by the

The Petition is as follows : tricated to attend to those who had been End weepholes buen provided sa liberally Fublic Works Department of all road buried alive, and that great credit is due as in the retaining walls built by the making, buildings now and old, building. That your Petitioners are the Chatt those who undertook the work, and in Rosds Department in recent years, and sites, retaining walls, hillside and par-man and Vice Chairman of The Hongkong Tenants Protective Association which haz had there been proper drainage arrange-ticularly the drainage of the Colony

| over 7,000 members, "who are representa- particular to the members of the Policements for the subsoil as the foundation, Te is further recommended that the Force, Fire Brigade, and St. John's Am-conditions would probably have remained members of auch Commission shall not live of upwarda of 100,000 residents of

Hongkong substantially kd they were when the wall include any Government Official and that bulance Brigale:

was built and the disaster might not have | such Commission shall be given the fullest occarred

powers to examine the conditions of all PRECAUTIONS FOR FUTURE, danger pots in the Colony, to call Similar conditions appear to obtain for experts and officials and collect informa other walls in the neighbourhood. How tion from responsible persons to examine

That by virtue of Section 34 of the are similar collapses to be prevented the present Building Ordinances with, n This is a question for experts, and I can view to their amendment and Anally to Rents Amendment Ordinance, 1923. (No. only suggest that the P.W.D. should at recommend ways and means through 8 of 1905) the rent of any tiomestic once collect all the data obtainable in which an end will be put to such deplor tenement may as from the 30th day of this neighbourhood, an to cracks and able accidenta na have happened recently June, 1995, be increased to an extent not bulges in retaining walls, alteration of in this Colony with loss of life and exceeding fifteen per cent of the standard slope and other indications of movement, enormous waste of both public and pri- rent thereof.

Ivato money. state of subsoil at foundations, etc.

We have been unable to elicit in evidence, nor can I suggest any way in which the work could have been perform, ed more efficiently."

CORONER THANKS JURY.

That your Petitioners have during the past four years been in close touch with the housing conditions in Hangkorg and in particular the conditions of the working and coolie classes? B

5 That your Petitioners verily believa that notices increasng the rent as provid- ed by the Rents Ordinance, 1992 have been given to ninety per cent of the tenants affected by the said Ordinarice.

POSSIBLE CAUSES OF DISASTER The matter might rest there but for the great importance of discovering the, real cause of the catastrophe so that means may be devised to prevent similar disasters in future. For this purpose I must refer briefly to the general question

4. That owing to the political situation of springs and underground waters and their origin. Ultimately all springs are would be well that this duty should be In conclusion, this Jury desires to ex-that had arisen in the neighbouring Pro- derived froin raidall either through put definitely in charge of one responsible press their commendations to the Police, vinces in China by the 30th day of June. direct soakage into the ground or by officer. Careful consideration should at Fire Brigade, members of the Tung Wah 1995, and the resulting State of Emer adakage through the beds of lakes, rivers, the same time be given to the arrange-Hospital. the St. John's Ambulance gency that then existed and still exists and streams. In localities where stratiments for dealing with storm water drain-Corps and all volunteers who participat. in this Colony the cost of living has in fed rocks such as sandstones and lime-age above Caine Road,

ed in the rescue work: also they desire creased and the business of small trades stones exist which permit waters to per A geologist will soon arrive from to associate themselves with the Coroner's men has decreased. colate, a spring may emerge at a point Canada to continue the Geological Survey expressions of sympathy with the bereaved far distant from the sources of its origin of the Colony and he is being asked to families. at the surface and may have syphoned investigate and report on the courses underneath an intervering valley or taken by underground waters, and on mountain range or even below the sen question of bringing them under co bed.

trol, or, if that cannot be done, of avoid The Island of Hongkong has, however, ing the most dangerous areas in future no such permeable rocks but is composed building operations. The Engineering entirely of igneous rocks, course grained students of the University might obtain granites being below with a capping of some useful practical experience, and at a very hard fine grained rock above; the same time bo of service to the com- great deal of time on the spot. He would and under these geological conditions any munity, if they were to assist the Geolo-also like to thank Mr. Ho Kom Tong for springs which are found on the Island gist in this work. When these preliminary the trouble be took in collecting witnesses must be derived from rainfall on the investigations have been carried out the and bringing to the notice of the other 7. That the effect of the increase in Island. Excopt for certain cracks and matter might then be referred to a small members of the Jury and the Coroner rent is shown by the numbers of dis- shear zonce due to movements in the Committee of Experts, but I think that himself possible sources of evidence.traints for rents issued out of the earth's crust in past ages, it may be until a considerable amount of preliminary Many more witnesses could have been Supreme Court during the undermention- taken that all these igneous rocks of work has been done the time of such n called, but he did not think anything ofed months namely:→ Hongkong are practically impervious to body would be wasted. The question importance bad been omitted. He would

Distraints. water. Bearing this in mind, consider should, however, be thoroughly invests have much pleasure is recommending to what becomes of the rainfall on the gated before the next wet season, Whe❘ the Chief Justice that they be excused Island. A portion will find its way to ther or not such a committes is appointed duty as jurors for some time, though he the sea by surface drainage, some will there is no doubt that most careful atten- was sorry that, by doing so the Colony remain in the soil as in a sponge and tion should be given by the PW.D. and would be losing the service of such able he again evaporated, and some will by architects generally to the precau- men. He also thanked Mr. Jenkin for porcolate down through the upper solltionary inensures suggested in para 3 of bringing forward several matters, which until it comes to hard rock which it can the Experts report..

escaped his (the Coroner's) memory. In inot penetrate. Of this latter portion

conclusión, he expressed again, their joint some will doubtless find its way into deep cracks and crevices and so go down to the sea, but the rest must percolate downhill close to the surface of the hard TOCK.

CONCLUSION.

la conclusion, Gentlemen, you will bring in a verdict of death in accordance with the medical evidence in the case of Chin Ping Wong To justify you in The cliffs above Po Hing Fong in the bringing in a verdict of manslaughter you neighbourhood of Lugard Rond are form- would require to satisfy yourselves that od of the fine grained hard rock to which the gross negligence of some person or I have referred. Decayed granite, with persons was responsible for the disaster, unaltered crystals of quartz, surrounded and it would be necessary for this pur by a pasty mass of decayed felspar and pose that you should come to some con- mira, is to be seen at the base of the clusion as to the causes of the collapse. Western Bank wall of the site. This For a verlict of death by misadventure substance sped up all along the base it is not essential that you should adopt of wall No. 1 and from below the pave weat of Im Mi Lane, and was also found when holes were dug through the undamaged portion of the pavement of

The Coroner then thanked the Jury personally, and also on behalf of the

That this increase of rent is a hard- Government for the time they had devot- ship to the classes most seriously affected ed to the enquiry. Their work had not by the present situation, namely -The been confined to the days spent in Court proprietors of small business and chops by any means, but they had spent and wage carcera, the great majority of whom are permanent residents in the Colony and are law abiding and peaceful persons,

sympathy with the relatives and friends of the deceased.

PRECAUTIONS FOR FUTURE.

EXPERTS SUGGESTIONS,

In the report on the Po Hing Fong disaster prepared by Lieut-Colonel C. Russell Brown and Mr. P. R. Warren certain suggestions were made regarding precautions that might be taken to pre- any theory as to the causes. If you have vent collapses in the future. The experts 207 comments or recommendations to wrote

make with a view to the prevention of With regard to the question as to what similar occurrences in future you should precautions could have been taken to pre the lane and the kitchen floor of one add these by way of rider to your verdict,vent this collapse it must be realized that and for this purpose you may consider during the course of the 23 years which of the bousca still standing.

We may therefore conclude that theit desirable to indicate what in your have elapsed since wall No. 1 was built, granite ends and the fine grained rock opinion were the causes of the disaster. begins somewhere above Po Hing Fong It will be my duty to bring any recom- and below Lugard Bond, the true nature of the underlying rock of the slopes being as a rule concealed by a surface layer of boulders, and earth which have rolled slown from the cliffs above in past ages, and revealed only where cuttings peno- trata through this layer.

mendations which you may make to the notice of the Government.

"THE JURY'S FINDING. The Jary retired for half an hour, and then returned, the following verdict

Wo find that the deceased Mr. Chiu Ping Wong, mat his death according to Any underground waters, derived from the medical evidence from misadventure rainfall higher up the slopes, either and injuries, received, which were caused. through direct soakage or from the beds by the fall of the houses of the Pe Hing of streates or mullahs, must necessarily Fong Street, due to the collapse of the be found at the base of this surface layer No. 1 Retaining Wall, south of Im Mi of boulders and earth, in greater or laps Ende ge

quantity according to the conformation This Jury are agreed in the main with of the locality. In dry weather these the views as expressed by the Coroner underground streams will diminish in his summing up of the case, but from volume but after continuous heavy rain the evidence submitted and the experts' they will increase and rise higher into the report we are of the opinion that the soil above the rook surface. Mr. Gold No. 1 retaining wall, as originally de- smith in his evidence has testified to the signed, did not provide for a sufficient presence of such streams in the cuttinge margin of safety also that the founda for the new road above Conduit Road, tions were insuficiently drained. Fur. Mr. Creasy in his evidence, and Col ther wo are of the opinion that when the Rossell Brown and Mr. Warren in their inspection of the walls was made in 1903 joint report, refer to the accelerated dis and prior to the commencement of build integration of the granite subsoil undering operations of the new No. 9 Polios maat conditions, and you have seen for Station, an error of judgment was made yourselves the pasty mass to which the in deciding not to rebuild or strengthen granite has been reduced, the quartz the No. 1 retaining wall.. grains alone remaining unaltered. As the Experts and witnesses evidence, as experts have pointed out increasing de well as personal examination, show in composition of resistant rock into non-our judgmont, that the soakage of water. resistant slurry behind the wall would from the open lot where the building ope gradually and steadily increase the pres- rations of the new No. Police Station

are on the foundations, and, at the were in progress could at the most have, same time reduce the resistance to slip been only contributory causes of the ping at the base of the wall. It was collapse, but it has been conclusively probably only a question of time therefore shown that the whale dren in the immed when the wall being surcharged, would into vicinity of the No. 1 retaining wall, slip at its band. The collapse would take has, for a number of yours been water- place when there was some special socess logged and there has been a constant af pressure, such as would result from coming of water from the bottom of the mcreased volume of underground streams No. 1 retaining wall and into Blake

time when the anges at the top of Gardens, thereby demonstrating insuffi the wou were pad/ani!

changes have gradually occurred in the nature of the material behind and under the foundations which have entirely alter ed the stresses and the factor of safety in the original design.

In April, 1925

May, 1925

June, 1923

July, 1924 August, 1995 *September, 1923

(Two Cays),

69

146

28

That the tenants affected by the

increase of rent above the Standard Rent until the trade conditions within the Colony resume a normal state.

Rents Ordinance cannot afford to pay an

Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray that His Excellency the Governor and the severn) members of the Legis-| Iative Council will be pleased to amend the Rents Ordinance, 1922, so that the right of Landlords to increase renta as provided by Section 34 of, the Rents Ordinance 1999 may be suspended until "the further order of His Excellency!

the Governor-in-Council.

(signed) Wong Kai Ying, Chair- man Ho Tien Chi, Vice Chairman.

NAVAL WEDDING.

JERMAN-MILES.

The wedding was solemnised at the (a) As previously stated, we are of Union Church, Kennedy Road, yester opinion that the original design of day of Lieut. Milton E. Miles, U.S. wall No. 1 should have been such as Navy, Executive Officer, U.S.S. Pame to allow for a greater distribution panga and Miss Wilma Jerman, Wash of pressure on the foundations in 1ngton, DC, who arrived in the Colony anticipation of the material behind on Thursday by the a Presiden and under the wall changing into Cleveland The Rev. E. J. Malpos thoroughly decomposed granite cap officiated. - able of retaining a high degree of The bride who was given in marriage moisture, as is now known to be by Mr. RC Tredwell, U.S.. Comm the cake,...

General for Hongkong, was attended by Mrs. C. R. Murray, wife of Lieut Murray, U.S.S. Helena, as Matron of Honour.

(b) In view of this collapse it is aug gested that close attention be given to the condition of old retaining walls similar to No. 1 whose founda: Lieut. Commander Greene W. Dugger, tions are considered suspect owing US Navy, commanding the U.8.8.

of the Tampanga, wis best man, either to the dampness of foundation sub-soil or to the small-After the ceremony a luncheon was nesa of the factor of safety adopted given by the U.8. Consal-General at the in their original design.

Hongkong Hotel when amongst others The number of such old walls is there were present, Lieut. Commander G not likely to be great, but if after W Dugger, Lieut. Commander and Mrs. careful consideration, any such are Casto, Mrs. Douglas Jenkins, wife of the found to be suspect, we suggest that American Cons in Canton, Lieut and rubble drains or earthenware pipes Mrs, C. R. Murray, Lient. and Mrs H should be laid to drain the founda- de Gromil, Lieut. Dallas Groves end tions and to pick up any spring Mrs. Groves, Mrs Emerson, Mrs. water which may exist leading it Kearny, Mrs Lowell, Mrs. Steepe and of through the foundations to a Ensign Hardin. A doten men from the lower leyol

U.8.8. Pampanga also attended.

(d) In rebuilding, important, retaining walls Tortland Cement would no doubt be used in place of the me

and red carth used in old designs (1) When heavy retaining walls have to

(e) Also modern practice would allow for more weepholes and the Wall would be backed with hand packed rubble to allow water accumulating at the back of wall to have: free socess to the weepbotox

Unlined at fint of meat Oolumn)

rebuilt od siten which are the naturally damp such as rosy CASE when wall No. 1

St

is suggested that some meth counter forts; abould be adopted in addition to the drainage of the foundation FORT

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