1929-01-05 — Page 5

Page

CANTON-HANKOW *RAILWAY.

SHAUKIWAN BOAT YARDS AFIRE.

SURVEY WORK TO START LAST NIGHT'S BIG BLAZE.

AT ONCE.

ROUTE TO BE BUILT IN FOUR YEARS.

FROM OUR CHINESE CORRESPONDENT, Į

CANTON, January ith...

#

MANY HOUSES BURNT DOWN.

SMART WORK BY RA. MEN,

A fire of a size seldom seen in the Colony broke out last night at Shankiwan shortly after 8 o'clock close to the Fung Keung Rubber

Mr. Chuck Honk Shing, head of the Highways Department, hus re- | Factory, where a fatal explosion turned to Canton from Nanking recently occurred. The blaze could where has been in conference with be seen even frpin the Western Mr. Sun Fo, Minister of Communi- District, and many ladies and gen- cation of the Nationalist Govern- tlemen journeyed down in motor- ment. Mr. Chuck went to the cars and on cycles to see the con capital last month in response to agration. E summons from Mr. Sun Fo to "talk over the proposed completion

The fire broke out in a small boat building yard on the waterfront in of the Canton-Hankow Railway. Gee Ma Dei, Shaukiwao, which is It will be remembered that Mr. | situated about 200 yards before the Chuck was appointed chief serveyer tram terminus. All along that part of the proposed route from Shiu- of the fore-shore were dilapidated kwan in Northern Kwangtung to boats and matesheds, occupied by Hankow..

impoverished boat people, and there were also several other yards where junks were built and repaired.

In conversation with locni press- men Mr. Chuck said that the Cauton-Hrnkow Railway is.far the most important line of communi- estion through China. Its early completion is of the utmost import- pace. At Present Mr. Sun Fa is contemplating an issue of bonds to raise the hecessary money for its completion which is put at $35,000,000.

Huts Destroyed.

Fanned by a strong wind the blaze soon tore along the water- front, going westward, and within fifteen minutes about twenty of such j dwellings were razed to the ground, The officera in charge of the Royal Artillery, at Lyeemun Forts at once ordered eighty men on duty. They As to the surveying of the route, were there keeping the crowds away Hunan authorities will start from before the fire appliances arrived on Changsha youthward while Kwang-the scene." The Artillery men then tung will start surveying froni lent a hand with the hoses and were Shiukwan northward.

husily employed for fully an hour.

Asked as to how long it will take to complete the permaheat way, Mr. Chuck said about four years. He thinks that Kwangtung will have to raise 4 or 3 million dollars towards the total cost. This money will be paid back in 'the course of żen years,

Fire Floats. Fire-floats also came racing to the scene and did very good work, attacking the fire from sea-ward, while the engines were playing their bases at the rear.

The conflagration kept sprending. however, and was finally checked after it had burnt down over fifty houses. It was impossible to keep it under control owing to the

Continuing, he said that the Nationalist Government has already sent to Kwangtung $10,000 towards the survey and work will start amount of timber kept in the boat about the 20th of this month. There yards. All the buildings in that will be several corps of surveyors, locality were an easy prey to the consisting of 50 persons each and flames owing to the fact that they the survey of the whole route will

were no more than matsheds or be completed in about six months. wooden structures.

Fire Isolated.

a

The fire font particularly did CANTON'S FIRES IN splendid piece of work when the fire was finally cut off by concerted ly playing the hydrants on another ship yard.

1928.

COST 21 MILLION DOLLARS.

At 10.30 p.m. the fire was brought under control, and the last of the ship yards saved. The area barat down was about a quarter mile square. It was one big tract of TPROM OUR CHINESE COREMPONDENT.] glowing débris when our represents-

tive left the scene.

1,249 SHOPS BURNT OUT.

CANTON, January, 4th. According to a report just publish ed by the Canton Fire Department,

· 1,249 stores

and buildings were burned down during the past year, the total loss being approximately $2,300,000 There were altogether 132 üres during the year and 27 lives were lost.

The monthly list of fires is as follows:-

January February

No.

May 5

No.

of Shops

2.and Buildings

Destroyed,

է:

No.

of

Lives Lost.

Q

2

I

Great credit is due to the fre

brigade, the floats and the B.A. men. They worked hard and in- cessantly and they were at length able to bring the fire under control before more damage was done.

Neighbouring Houses.

לי

THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, JANUARY 5th, 1929.

"ST. GEORGE FÖR MERRIE ENGLAND.”

At one time the block of concrete buildings immediately in the rear of the burning mass appeared to be doomed. Inmates of those houses were vacating with whatever they could take with them, but after an- other twenty minutes of hard fight- ing against the sweeping fame, they were told that their houses bad been saved,

One of the most noticeable fea turca of last night's blaze was the smart and prompt turn out of the ambulances and the St. John's Am

BRILLIANT FUNCTION AT CITY HALL.

SUPPER ON THE BANKS OF THE THAMES,

THE TUDOR ROSE IN EFFECTIVE SCHEME OF

DECORATION.

ARMS OF ENGLAND'S-TOWNS.

St. George for Merrie England." was the legend inscribed in letters of light across the facade of the City Hall last night on the occasion of St. George's Ball, and inside the building, despite the foreign soil on which it is errected, were many memories of the land, we love and honour. St. Seorge himself, a brilliant figure in golden armour, shone above the grand stairway, against his red cross. flanked on either side by huge St. George's banners. The masses of greenery which almost hid the stairway and the entrance hall and the coats of arms of many of the towns and cities of Engiand which were hung on the landing and in the ball rooms brought vivid memories of that green and pleasant land" which all English hearts must turn at. Christmastide.

His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government (the Hon. Mr. W. T. Southorn. C.M.G.). was present with Mrs. Southern, and the Chieftain of the St. Andrew's Society and the President of St David's Society. His Excellency Major-General C. C. Luaril. G.B., C.M.G.. Commodore R. A. S. Hill, EN.. raembers of the Hong Kong Government, and local residents with their "ladies, helped to complete the galaxy of fair ladies and brave men which made the ball' so typhically English.

Supper was served in the Theatre Royal, the stage having been converted into a Wood on the banks of the Thames. The official party was accommodated at a horseshoe shaped table on the stage, and the whole theatre was brilliantly illuminated by numbericas red and white rose lights.

Over 700 guests were present at the ball and special, arrange mente were made for their convenience by the Peak Tramway and Star Ferry Companies.

pleasure of knowing that English- men are selebrating all the world over at the same time, we do know that it is essentially an English day.

Euring our nous too frequent visits to the old country we who have made our homes abroad realise, especially during our com- ing and going across the sons, realise better what the name of England stands for than those who hover leave her shores.

St. Georgs's fag, the red cross on the whilo-fold embodied-in the white ensign flown by all ships of the British Navy is better 'known and more highly respected ali over the world than any other

:

de, who live oversens are the

better able to understand the open- ing lines of those verses of Rudyard Kipling, "The Flag of England";

Winds of the World give answer,

whispering to and fro What do they know of England, whom only England know.

+J

I must not detain you any longer but before sitting down I wish to thack our excellent and hardwork. ing Hon. Secretaries and the mem- bers of the various Sub-Committees whose hard work and loyal co- operation have enabled me to wel come you here to-night.

ard

Your Excellencies, Ladies Gentlemen, I give you the toast': St. George and Merry England.

The Official Party,

The official supper, party was `AC- commodated at the horseshoe table on the stage of the Theatre Royal. while the rest of the guests found tables placed for them in the auditorium. Those included in the official party were:

The President and Mrs. Southern; | H.E. the Officer Administer the Government and Mrs Bird: Vice- President and Lady Tyrwhitt; H.E. Major-General Luard C.B., C.M.G, the scheme of dECORA | A similar scheme of decoration and Lady Follock, Commodore R

A. S. Hill and Mrs. Luard, His TION.

was arranged in the lounge and Hon. Sir Henry C. Gollan, Et., card room, a welcome feature of C.B.E. and Mrs. Shonton: Hon. Sir St. George's Ball which is the first the former being a huge mirror Joseph H. Kemp, K.C., C.B.E. and big social event of the year, was held which reflected the dancers in theirs. Creasy, M.B.E.; Chieftain of yesterday instead of on the tradi-ball rooms and very considerably St. Andrew's Society and Mrs. contributed to the brilliant effect. Wynne-Jones, President of St. tional Twelfth Night which falis The library had been converted into David's Society and Mrs. Mackie; this year on a Sunday. The ball a bar under the sign of Ye Rose Hon Mr. E R. Hallifax,_C.M.G., of two years from 1925, and the venience and comfort of the guests. was revived last year after a lapse and Crown, and every possiblo C.B.E. and Lady Chow; Hon. Sir arrangement was made for the con- Shou-Son-Chow and Mrs Swan; brilliance of the function of last

Hon. Mr. H. T. Creasy, C.B.E. and Mra. Alabaster, M.B.E. Hon. Dr. ARRIVAL OF HIS EXCEL-

R. H. Kotevall, C.M.G.. LL.D. and night makes ita continuance as an acaual affair quite certain

Mrs. Harston; His Honour Mr. Justice Jacks and Mrs. Kotewall;

Hon. Mr. W. T. Southern. C.M.G.), D.B.E. and Mrs. Hynes; the Very His Excellen the Officer Ad-on. Mr. A. C. Hynes and Mrs. ministering the Government (the Skinner: Colonel R. B. Skinner, Jacks; Mr. R. Hancock and Mrs.

accompanied by Mrs. Southorn and Rev. Dean Swann and Mrs. Han- Capt. A. J. White, A.D.C., ar

cock; Dr. 0. M. Harston and Mrs. rived at 9.30 and was welcomed by Cock; Mr. C. G. Alabaster. K.C., be President and members of the C.B.E. and Mrs. Bellamy: Mr. W. Committee. He was conducted by W. Hornell, C.I.E., H.A. and Mrs the President to the ballroom Dowhiggir: Mr. H. B. L. Dowbig- and preceded by the drums and and Miss Tyrwhitt: Mr. F. A. between two lines of "beefanters '', gin and Mrs. Lindsell; Mr. E. Cock. fes of the Queen's Regt. the Permy and Miss Luard: Mr. L. C. aty into the ball room being F. Bellamy and Mrs. Sommerfelt heralded by a fanfare blown on an Mr. R. E. Lindsell and Mra English coaching horn by Sergt. Marcel; Mr. C. P. Marcel and Mrs. Manley of the Queen's, who was

Comyn; Mr. S. T. Butlin and Miss dressed in hunting pink.

Johnson.

achieved in

committee of

undertaken by a committee of five The scheme of decoration Wee gentlemen who were faced by no easy task. After the truly magnificent affect honour of St Andrew's Day, the decoration St George's Society might well wonder how they were to uphold the honour of England They have succeeded admirably for the City Hall last night was not only very lovely but it was destinctively English. The red and white of the St. George's standard. and the roses, which in emblem and in silk and paper imitation, contributed largely to the scheme of decoration, together with the cante, of arms of English cities and towns, and the portrait of St George, made an effect which will not easily be for- gotten

St. George.

Special thought had been given to the lighting which was most elfes tively arranged, red and white lamp shades being prepared to the whole building. The painting of St. George, the work of Lieut.-Col. L. G Bird. D.S.O., the President of St. George's Society, which stood at the head of the grand staircase, wia brilliantly illuminated' by concealed decoration of the entrance hall and spotlights, and the whole scheme of stairway was arranged to lead up to and concentrate the attention upon St. George in his golden

armour.

A Pergola Of Wisteria. One of the most charming and original features was the pergola | hung with wisteria which led from the landing of the staircase to the Theatre Stage. Special floor boards were laid to obviate "the necessity of walking up or down stops and

bulance Brigade." They were in the 1 thick of it, rendering assistance į these had been painted moss green.

wherever wanted. The firemen, under the supervision of Mr. Brooks, did splendid work in saving pro- perty and lives."

Mouth.

of Fires.

9

... 18

205

March

April

10

14

June

5

C

July

8

0

August....... B

September... 13

2

October 28

November

December 20

999

- Total...139

1,240

Homeless Wanderers.

די

Small concealed lights among the greenery served for illumination, and it did not require, greas imagination as one passed through the pergola and into the theatre to believe that the pissage had been through some Thames side garden.

The Theatre.

There were pitiable scenes when the aged dwellers sat crying by the roadside, telling the passers-by that all that they had in the world had The stage itself had been truns been eaten up by the flames. Little formed with the aid of scenery and children, strapped to their mothers' | growing plants into a woodland backs, were wailing piteously out glade beside the Banks of the POST FOR MR. CHAN, HING of fright, while the men risked their Thames. The red and white scheme lives by plunging into the burning of lights and bunting was again WEN.

houses in a vain endeavour to save made use of, and a bank of roses a few belongings,

was massed in front of the stage.

The Ball Booms,

In the St. George's and St. An- drew's Halls, red and white bunt-1 ing and coats of arms of English towns draped with flags had been used to very clever effect.

J

In St. Andrew's Hall, a picture

LENCY.

THE BALL.

COMMITTEES.

Gezeral Committee. Although dancing had been in

Lieut. Col. I. G. Bird. D.8.0. progress for the last half hour the (President). Hon. Mr. W. E. L. ball officially opened with the Official Lancers in which the Fre. Shenton (Vice-President), Hon. Sir sident of St. George's Society led E Pollock, K.C., Mr. R. H. B. out Mra. Southorn and His Excel- Hancock, Dr. G. M. Harston, Mr. lency the Officer Administering the WA. Dowley, Mr. C. G. Alabaster, Government was partner to Lady Pollock

The acts were as follow:-

President's Set.

Lieut. Col. L. G., Bird, D.S.O. and Mrs. Southorn.

Government and Lady Pollock

H.E. the Officer Administering the

CM.G. and Lady Tyrwhitt

H.E. Major-General Luard, C.B., Commodore R. A. S. Hill and Mrs. Luard.

Vice-President's Bet. Hon. Mr. W. E. L. Shenton and Mrs. Alabaster, M.B.E.

Hoa. Mr. E. R. Hallifax, C.M.G., C.B.E. and Mrs. Shenton."

Mr. C. G. Alabaster, K.O.. O.B.E. and Mrs. Creasy, M.B.Z

Mr. W. W. Hornell, CTE., M.A. and Mrs. Jacks...

THE SUPPER.

The Official Party were escorted into dinner by the pipe and drum band of the Queen's and the beefeaters (in full grey heards and carrying ferocious looking har- berds), who took up their position behind the high table.

Half way through the excellent supper (served by the Hong Kong Hotel) a fanfare on the horr na nounced the boar's head which placed before the President was carried round 'the stage and

The health of His Majesty the King was drunk on the proposition of the President.

THE PRESIDENT'S WEL-

COME.

The President said:-

C. O.B.E. (Past Presidents), Mr. L. CF. Bellamy. Mr. J. Bentley, Mr. P. S. Cassidy, Mr. E. Cock, Hon. Mr. H. T. Creasy, C.B.E.. Mr. H. B. L. Dowbiggin. Mr. W. J. Eldridge. Mr. W. W. Hornell, C.-E., MA., Mr. R. E. Lindsell, Mr. T. E. Pearce, Mr. F. A Perry; Hon. Mr. E. D. C. Wolfe. C.M.G., Mr. C. P. Marcel (Hon. Treasurer), Mr. S. T. Butlin (Hon." Secretary).

SUB-COMMITTEES. Invitation and Reception. Lieut. Col. L. G. Bird, D.S.O. (Chairman), Hon. Mr., W. E. L. Shenton, Hon. Sir R.. E. Pollock, K.C., Mr. R. H. B. Hancock, Dr. G. M. Harston, Mr. W. A. Dowley, Mr. C. G. Alabaster, K.C., O.B.E., | Mr. W、 W. Hornell

Decoration.

Mr. E. Cock. (Chairman), Hon. Mr. H. T. Creasy, Mr. W. A. Cornell, Comdr. Newill, D.S.O., Mr. G. H. M.. Bannerman.

Music And Dancing. Mr. W. A. Dowley (Chairman), Mr. H. B. L. Dowbiggin, Mr.' Ġ.. Grimble, Mr. C. Bulmer Johnson.

Cloak Room.

Dr. G. Montague Harston (Chair- man), Mr. B. L. Lindsell, Mr. G. G. Wood. Mr. J. Bentley.

Card Room,

Mr. L. C. F. Bellamy (Chairman), Mr. H. C. Resker, Mr. P., Cassidy, Mr. E. J. Edwards.

Wines And Bupper.

Mr. W. J. Eldridge (Chairman), Mr. T. E. Pearce, Mr. F. A. Perry, Mr. V. C. Labrum, Mr. G. B. Labrum, Mr. S. Baker, Mr. F. G. Horridge, Mr. J. P. Robinson, Mr. D. Sherman, Mr. J. Smith, MË. W.

(rHox "OUX CHINESE CORRESPONDENT. thing could be learned as to the Up to a late hour last night no-

extent of the damage done, but it CANTON, January 4th.

was believed by the police officers Mr. Chan Hing Wen, who re- that no one had perished in the gently successfully completed his fire. long distance flight in the seaplane

A CHIMNEY. FIRE. Kwangchow, has been appointed Just before this big outbreak of Commander of the Bocca Tigris fire, the Brigade received a call of His Majesty the King was draped Your Excellencies, Ladies and Farts. the -present commander from a house at Bonham Strand with Union Jacke, and in St. Gentlemen,-I need not remind you W. Hirst. having resigned. Mr. Chan is the West. Two appliances were des Commander of the Chang Chow patched but on arrival it was found Victoria was draped with flags of in England than "New Year and surer, Forts and knows a great deal about that only a chimney had caught fire, St. George. Huge red and white made famous for us by the greatest MY. ST. Butlin and Mr. A. eoast defence. His old position which was soon extinguished with lamps of original design. were poet of all time. Although unlike Sommerfelt, Joint Hon. Secre will be filled by Mr. George Bow. out, any damage being done. suspended from the ceilings. Your Scottish friends we have not the "tories.

POWELLS

10. ICE HOUSE STREET.

FOR

PYJAMA'S

that will give

REAL COMFORT.

and a

LASTING SLEEP. · Your selection is easily accomplished from the stock we have just received, we also make to order.

Viyella Flannel...

Tricoline.. Trimola Silk

... (Nett) $13,50

Union

7.50

13.50

8.50

13 50

13.50

8.50

8.50

Sea Island Cotton "Altas" Pyjamas

B. V. D. Sleeping Suit

We allow 10% Discount for Cash

" .,-

INSPECTION INVITED.

To-day's Newest Dance Successes®

By:

Columbia

RECORDS

THE BEST OF ALL BRITISH AND AMERICAN

"DANCE BANDS

THE ANDERSON MUSIC CO., LTD.

WURM'S

STOMACH DOCTOR

The Best Bitter for the Stomach,

Best Remedy "for Poor Appetite, Deficient Digestion and Disorderly Stomach.

Obtainable at

THE WING ON CO., LTD.

THE SUN NEVER SETS ON

EXSHAWS BRANDY

THE FIRST CHOICE OF ALL

CONNOISSEURS

THE CONNOISSEUR COMES TO CALUBECKS.

SOLE AGENTS :

George's Hali the picture of Queen that this is a festival day greater Mr. C. P. Marcel, Hon. Trea- CALDBECK, MACGREGOR & CO,

(Inebrporated under the Companies Ordinanon of Hong Kong.

TEL. 0.75.

LTD.