1929-04-11 — Page 4

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THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 1929.

KING EDWARD HOTEL DISASTER.

VERDICT OF CORONER'S JURY.

NO CENSURE OF PUBLIC DEPARTMENTS

PRESENTATION TO DR. HARSTON.

PIONEER EYE DOCTOR IN HONG KONG.

50,000 PATIENTS: 5.000. OPERATIONS. PUPILS CARRYING ON HIS WORK.

Harsten who

GOVERNMENT INACTION DEPLORED. will be leaving the Colony on Satur

Yesterday the inquiry was concluded at the Dentral Magistracy into the King Edward", Hotel Ars disaster on March 11, in which eleven people lost their lives. The Cotoner, Mr. E, W Hamilton, took his seat at 12.15, and the foreman of the jury, Mr. N. S. Brown, submitted the following statement on behalf of himself and the two other members of the jury (Mesars, 0. Little and L. C. F. Bellamy):-

Vardict.

We find that William Woods met his death by Misadventure. Death was actually caused by burning.

Observations.

י

"It is to be deplored that these | recommendations were not given effect to by the Government. It legislation had been passed, and considered regulations had been made promptly on the lines indicat There appears to have start-

ed above, the King Edward Hotel. would have been compelled to ed at the bottom of the staircase instal adequate external fire-es- in the main hall of the hotely and capes, in which event the danger probably started in a mixed collecto life in case of fire would have tion of luggage which was lying been greatly minimised, if not there. There is no evidence as to almost entirely eliminated.. how the luggage became ignited but, on the other hand, there is no evidence to suggest that it was due

to arson.

ak

The Jury are not satisfied that the fire originated through dalec- tive wiring, but they consider it highly desirable that Government should be invested with powers to require that the electric installations in old buildings used as hotels, large office blocks, etc., are main tained in an efficient and safe state. The internal design and con- struction of the premises was such that without adequate external means of escape the building was, from the point of view of danger from fire, unsuitable for occupation as an hotel.

"The Jury consider that the Management of the Hotel were seriously remiss in having the base ment gate at the foot of the stone steps the only practicable fire exit

in the hotel-kept locked.

"THE FE BRIGADE-The Fire Brigade deserves commendation for the speed with which they reached the scene and the manner in which they handled the situation. The

threat to other buildings by a fire of this magnitude in 20 congested an area was serious, and that the fire was prevented from spread ing across the narrow streets speaks for the efficiency of the Brigade.

"No blame whatever can attach

་་

that the Report of the Committee "The Jury are strongly of opinion above referred to should receive the immediate and effective atten- tion of the Government."

day on retirement was honoured at the Tung Wah Hospital yesterday, when the Hospital's past and pre- sent committees, members of the medical profession, and a few per: sonn! friends met to say good- bye" to him

The opportunity was also taken of making a farewell presentation of a cheque. to Dr. Harston, which took the form

“Pichophanté Fiatrols, Moist Four-ikros

- IT GIVES -

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Yet this wonderful enter tainment is not costly. Wo have Orthophonic Victrolas at our store whose price is within, resch of even the modest in- come. Convenient paymenta

(c) The management is not res ponsible for not having an external fre-escape.

In the course of his speech the (d) If either or both of the said pital, Mr. M. K. Lo, drew special Chairman of the Tang Wah Has exits from the fire-escape were attention to the fact that Dr. allowed to he kept open, Harston had treated gratuitously apart from guards, which would be necessary by day specialist to the Tung Wah Hos- during his long connection as eye and by night, how could the 'pital, no fewer than 60,000 patients ... hotel management deprive

thieves from entering the pre-5,000 operations.

and had performed no less than mises of the hotel?" "Irrespective of what has been day's function were Sir Robert En Amongst those present at yester

gentlemen of the jury when they Li Yau Tsun, Mr. Li Fick Mui, Dr. the mentality of these learned C.M.G., Mr. Ho Kom Tong, Mr. stated above, I fail to understand Tung, the Hon. Dr. R. H. Kotewall, censured the management, for this S. To Wong and many others. simple reason, that the majority of the people who escaped from the CORONER'S OBSERVATIONS. through one or other of the exits burning building saved themselves

MR. M. K. LO'S TRIBUTE. above-mentioned.

Addressing the gathering Mr. If anyone had the care and time they had devoted of the gates being locked, I would this morning to make a formal pre- The Coroner thanked the jury for perished in consequence of either. Lo said: We are met here to the case, and said he would make have had nothing to any against Harston on the occasion of his de- certain recommendations to the their remarks, but as there had beer. parture to England on retirement

Dr. G. Montague S Moutrie & Co.,Ltd. Chief Justice with regard to their no evidence put forward at the in from Hong Kong. Before making future exemption, although he hadquiry to the effect that the locked the presentation, I feel that it is no powers to do anything is that liasement gate had caused any only appropriate that I should say respect himself.

death or injury to any person or person's escape, I fail to see why to the circumstances which have any delay in effecting any such a few words by way of explanation the jury should have condemned the management at ally unless it be that, in considering their verdict, duty to exonerate the bre-brigade in as much as they thought it their (which I agree) and condemn the Government in connection with cer- tain recommendations made by a

fabout which I know nothing) they Commission appointed in 1998 re

had thought fit to pass some cen- garding fire fighting improvements

with your verdict," he said, "and "I am generally in agreement shall forward your report to the Government." He went on to say that he felt it his duty to report considered that new legislation with very strongly on this inquiry. He regard to the powers of the Public Works Department and Fire Bri. gade was absolutely necessary. half of the Government for the He expressed appreciation on be. extremely capable and speedy nasist ance rendered by officers and men of H.M. Navy and the Naval Tug- Cherub. It was invariably the case, he said, that the Navy turned out almost immediately to fires, and the Fire Brigade appreciated their services immensely

to the Brigade in connection with HOTEL MANAGER'S VIEWS the deplorable loss of life.

ON JURY'S FINDING.

The equipment of the Brigade appears to be of a high standard. The Fire Brigade Superintendent PROTEST AGAINST CENSURE. stated that there is now available a water-tower of a better design

than that in use, and it is recam mended that one of these should ha added to the Brigade's equip ment:

93 feet, as in this case.

tive.

"

We have received the following

letter from Mr. J. H. Witcher inte menager of the King Edward Hotel, in which he deals with cer tain statements appearing above:

Bure

ing so much space in your valuable "I regret that I should be tak- columna, but trust that you will forgive me for my outspoken com ments on what I consider to be not cricket' on the part of the jury."

sentation to

in

Chater Road,

ven rise to this happy function. with which my colleagues and 1 regard it as a privilege to be asso- Hong Kong's First Eye Specialist, ciated.

Before I conclude I would like to understand,

Prior to 1905, there was, as I acknowledge my personal indebted- practitioner ness to Sir Robert Ho Tung and

tory state of affairs, Dr. Harston, Harston's valuable services to the Hong Kong who had the requisite Dr. G. H. Thomas in regard to this specialised training to do ophthalmic matter. It was Sir Robert who was work. Perceiving this unsatisfacgood enough to remind me of Dr. who already had a knowledge of Hospital, and to-day's pleasing cere-

eye and Hartridge at The Royal West- happy inspiration. Dr. Thomas not diseases having studied under Juler mony is the result of Sir Robert's minster Ophthalmic Hospital, when caly made a substantial contribution post graduate course in Eye Dis up the suggestion with great per- on leave in England, went through a to the subscription, but also took cases, and made himself thoroughly with the technical data of my ob- sonal enthusiasm, and supplied me up to date in this branch of medical servations. science. He returned to Hong Kong

wish Dr. Harston an early complete in 1905, and offered his free services of the Colony when I say that we I am sure I can speak on behalf

restoration to health, for the sake, not only of himself, but of all eye sufferers, and we hope that Dr. and Mra. Harston will have very many years of happiness and prosperity in the Old Country,

PROMISSORY NOTE CLAIM. to the Tung Wah Hospital autho

MORE EVIDENCE FOR THE DEFENCE.

1

CASE TO CONCLUDE TODAY,

rities. His offer was gratefully ac- cepted, and he became, and can tinued to act as, Eve Specialist Consultant to the Hospital until

1925.

and

Twenty Years' Work, During this lengthy period of 20 I now have the honour to hand years, he held weekly two afternoon over to Dr. Harsten a draft, to- for the defence yesterday at the morning clinic for operations. The who have subscribed to the same. Two more witnesses gave evidence clinics for out-patients, and one gether with a list of all his friends The jumping-sheets are sonad and of modern pattern, but it is criticise the verdict of the gentle Court before the Chief Justice (Sir, clinics averaged about 70 a week, or his friends in the Tung Wab Hos-

Much as I deprecate having to resumed bearing at the Supreme number of patients who attended his unlikely that rescues can be effect men of the jury who delivered Henry Gollan) of the action by Lam over 3,000 a year. The number ofpital, Dr. Harston referred to the Returning thanks for the gift from ed by means of such sheets in the their findings in the King Edward Ting On, as head of the King On operations he performed averaged keenness shown by Chinese medical case of people jumping from 60 and Hotel Fire Inquiry yesterday after Tong Arm, against the Ma Pak about 250 a year. Therefore, as a students whom he had taught in "Water appears to have been self as the manager of the hotel, Kong for recovery of 84,688 alleged these 20 years, he treated about giad to note that the work of noon, I feel that, in justice to my Leung firm of druggists in Hong matter of simple arithmetic, during the study of eye diseases. He was adequate, both as regards quantity and in justice also to the pro- and pressure, and the co-operation prietors thereof and to the public, promissory note. The defence about 5,000 operations.

to be principal and interest due on 60,000 patients, between the Fire Brigade and Water Authorities appeared effec against the jury's expression of the Ma Pak Leung firm of Fatshan doctors in Hong Kong to practise patients, but also to teach the Chi I must protest most emphatically alleges that the note was made by Dr. Harston was one of the first had always been, not only to care. performed serving the public will be carried on by some of his pupils. His aim opinion which was to the effect The loss of life appears to be that they considered that the Canton, which is distinct from many of the then latest methods of nese modern methods to Chi- principally due to the inadequacy management of the hotel were

the Hong Kong firm.

Mr. F. C. Jerkin is for the plain-among which may be mentioned the response had been so good. Dr. treatment in diseases of the eye. He was gratified to see that the of external emergency or fire stairs. seriously remiss in having the base-

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND nent gate at the foot of the stone tiff, and Mr. C. G. Alabaster, R.C., BUILDING AUTHORITY.-The evidence steps the only practicable fire exit and Mr. Eldon Potter, K.C., for

the defendants. of Mr. A. E. Wright emphasised in the hotel-kept locked. In the the powerlessness of these Depart course of their verdict, these gentle defence was Ma Pak Shiu, manager The second witness called by the ments to insist on which past experience has proved stated that the internal design dence witness said that the Hong precautions men of the jury had distinctly of the defendant firm. In his evi- necessary for the "safety of human and construction of the premises life in old buildings such as the was such that without adequate Kong firm and the Fatsban firm King Edward Hotel. Without means of escape the building was conducted, their business separately. powers conferred on them by the from the point of view of danger Explaining an entry of 91,088 in a conducted at the Tung Wah Hos By lectures and demonstrations Legislature they cannot, so far as from fire unsuitable for occupation book relating to a payment to the pital he taught ophthalmology to we can see from the evidence, insist as an hotel." This paragraph of plaintiff, which was suggested students both of the Hong Kong

was just interest on the loan, witness said College of Medicine, antecedent to its condemnation of that he paid the amount in conse. University of Hong Kong, and many the management which I have just quence of a letter which he received a graduate is indebted to him for and the This document, witness said, he had the training thus received. previously mentioned.

on obvious safeguards.

"On May 27, 1928, the Report of the Committee appointed to con sider suggestions for the improve ment of the fire-fighting organisa. tion of the Colony was laid before the Legislative Council.

"Among the recommendations of that Committee were the follow ing:

the jury's verdict

anow in

following

(a) Carbon dioxide

trachoma. (b) Smith's intra-capsular opera

tion for cataract. (c) Elliott's trophine operation, and later, Law's operation, for glaucoma.

Haraton spoke of the achievement of five local students who went to The examiners were very deeply London to face the examiners there.

shown by the Hong Kong candi- impressed with the knowledge dates and added that their know

obtained special degrees and diplo candidates, and these ave students ledge was superior to those of Home

138.

Dr. Haraton went on to say that good bye to such friends as Sir Robert Ho Tung and Dr. Kotewall, it was very difficult for him to say

and added that be will always re-

"The management of the hotel sent to the Fook Kee bankers in Precious Gift of Eyesight Restored member his friends in Hong Kong,

are not the proprietors of the building, ne is well-known to the. learned gentlemen of the jury, and not responsible for the construc even the owners of the building are

to

Canton through whom payment was made to the Chai Ying firm on behalf of Lam Ting On.

WARSHIPS ON THE YANGTSZE.

JAPANESE PROTECTIVE

After cross-examination on mat tera connected with the accounts of As regards the further legislation thereof, or for its adequacy til this morning when counsel will the firm, the bearing adjourned an tion suggested by the Chief Offi; from fire or otherwise for the pur

from the point of view of danger address the Chief Justice.. cer, Fire Brigade, we quite agree noses of an hotel. These points are that the owners of high build clearly matters which, if any ings, ive storeys and over, we responsibility should attach thereto a duty not only to themselves but at all, can only lie at the door of also to the owners of adjacent the building authority before the buildinga in regard to the pro-actual construction of the building vision of adequate fire-fighting was passed by such authority. The apparatus:

We agree also that

jury may not be aware of the fact measures that when the building was con- regarding fire-escapes, auxiliary pumpe, general fire service, and structed, it was as and for an hotel. outside connections (to enable Now, returning to my protest Fire Brigade appliances to in- about the management being remise, crease the pressure in the fire think it a duty which I owe to maids in a building by attaching the public to recall to mind the the motor pumpa to the connec following facts relating to the tions outside the building) should alleged basement gate being kept be made compulsory by legisla- locked, for the following reasons: tion, and that such legislation (a) There are no-regulations by should be made applicable, as far

the Government that such as practicable, to old as well as gato should be kept at all to new buildings,——**

times open.

to

Oenerally, we Juggest that Jegislation be passed to give the Governor-in-Council power. make Regulations in regard to the prevention of. excape from. and extinction of, fires.

(b) Apart from the basement gate, there is another exit leading to the Jane between King Ed ward Hotel and Alexandra Building, from the fire

escape.

to Many.

THE SUBSCRIBERS. The list of subscribers is as follows:

The knowledge that he was able to give free services to such a vast number of poor people who would treatment, and, above all, that he Messra. Li Yan Chuen, Chan Tir otherwise have to forego specialised Thomas, Hon. Dr. R. H. Kotowall, Sir Robert Ho Tung, Dr. G. H,

must have been instrumental in Son, Mak Sur Cho, Li Sheung Ming, saving many from going blind, and Ho Kwong, Tse Ka Po, Ko Leong even in restoring to many an un- Hoe, Fung Fing Shan. Tang Shiu. fortunate person" the precious Kin, Ho Kom Tong, T. N. Chau, treasure of his eye sight lost, must, Wong Ping Suen, Li Yick Mui, Ma of course, constitute the most abid-Chui Chir, Tam Woon Tong, Li Po ing sense of satisfaction and re- Kwai, Ma Chi Lung, Lo Cheung ward to one who like Dr. Haraton Shiu, Li Hoi Tang, To Chak Man," was fired to do some good to Fung Kang Yu, La Iu. Cheung, Lau MEASURES.

humanity. But as this Hospital is Shing Chong, So Shau Nam, Char essentially run for and on behalf Fan Tin, Ng Yu Cham, Chan Fick Tokyo (UP):-The Japanese of the Kai Fong Government has despatched the war- my colleagues and I feel that we Pik Tung, San Shing Sam, Li Kit this Colony," Tin, Ng Iu Ting, To Sze Tuen, Chu ship. Tokiwa and three destroyers to cannot allow Dr. Harston to leave Cho, Ho Chi Sang, Shau Pok Hing, Japanes lives and property." the Yangtze river to protect without giving him some token of Li Chi Cheung. Wong Kwai Ching, the gratitude, not only of the Hos-Li Chak Man, Lut Wai Chau, Chinn fees are now stationed near Yang those whom he so Taithfully and Ming, An Koon Yu, Wong Tak Sixteen vessels from the Japanese pital authorities, but also of all Man Chung, Tong Shun, Yung Tze taze ports where their nationals are efficiently served, and for such a Kwong, Ip Lan Chuen, Ng Wah, Lo in residence. Tabulations show that long period. It was, therefore, aug. Yin Nin, Chan Shu Ming. Chan there are 27,022 Japanese residents gested that a subscription should Yee Wan, Yu Shu Wing, Wong Of in Shanghai, 87 in Nanking, 75 in be raised from amongst the present Kat, Shum Chung Hing, M. K. Lo Wahu, 57 in Kirakiang, 14 der Tayeb, and past directors of the Hospital, Ho Yes Cheong, Leung Yau Sang. 1,894 in Hankow, 99 in Changsha, the Directors of the Pe Leung Kuk, Leung Yuk Ki, U Chauk Sang, Lo 20 in Shasi, 77 in Ichang, 3 in and Dr. Harston's personal friends. Chuk Chai, Chan Chi Hang, Ma Si Wanghsien, and 65 in Chunkiang. I am happy to say that this sugges- Chuen. Ma Wai Noon, Ho Ki Mold Japanese warships are located at tion met with the spontaneous ree Tat Huen, Kwok Sheung Ngo, Lam each of these places except Taych ponan it deserved. and Wangster,

Kau Mow, Chan Ping. Kwok Lam Shong, Kwan Wan Pak

(Continued on next Column).