1934-05-15 — Page 7

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY,

Gas Holder Explosion Takes

Heavy Toll

SEVENTY VICTIMS RUSHED

TO

HOSPITAL

Twenty Eight Deaths Reported

A serious explosion, the extent of which even at the time of going to Press, could not be estimated, occurred at the Hong " Kong & China Gas Company's Works at West Point shortly after 11 am.. yesterday, following which a number of houses in the vicinity caught fire with such alarming rapidity that it is feared the death-roll will be a very heavy one when the final count is taken.

The cause of the explosion is not yet known though it was stated that the 500,000 cubic feet gas holder was full at the time and one of the side plates blew out and the gas was" car- rled across the street to Clarence Terrace where it was ignited by the fires on the premises, setting the buildings slight in- stantly and trapping a large number of the inhabitants.

From Mr. H. E. Stone, manager of the Gas Company, we "learn that an"explosion of some kind had occurred in Clarence Street and as a result a missile which was carried towards the direction of the gas holder, punctured it. The gas was then carried back across the street to the terrace, causing the build- ing to light up.

Salesian Father's Heroism

Whatever the cause, the scene, or her own version of what hap-

room when she

the

UNIVERSITY GRADUATE AMONG

THE KILLED

STUDENT FINED $5,000

For Opium Offence

MAY 15, 1934.

SUCCESSOR TO MR. STONE

Mr. Costello Back In Colony

Enquiries made at the Govern- ment Cty Hospital late last night elicited the news that 57 had so

Convicted on a charge of posses- far been admitted, all Chinese, ex-

sion "of 250 taels of oplum on the cepting Talu Ram and Santa Singh Kowloon Canton Express on April who were on duty, in the watch-28. Cheung Lam, a young student Mr. George E. Costello, who has men's shed near the gasometer.

was yesterday, Qued $5,000 in de- beer appointed General Passenger" Of the number admitted. sixteen fault 12. months imprisonment. Agent for the Orient of the Cana- had succumbed-two men, six boys,

when he came before. Mr. Wynne- dian Pacific Steamship Co.. la sue- four women and four girls-and of

Jones at the Kowloon Magistracy, cession to the late Mr. E. Stone, these ave had so far been uniden-

Mr. M. A da Siva appeared for has returned to Hong Kong. ined. Included amongst the dead the accused while Inspector Hum- was Mr. Lam Tung, official tran-phreys of the Revenue Department slator of the Hongkong University Prosecuted." and one of its earliest graduates who happeried to be in "Clarence Terrace when the explosion occur- red.

Together with the twelve bodles picked up at the scene of the disas- ter, the toll is therefore 28, but this figure cannot be taken as cor- rect as there are still numerous missing, besides which some of those admitted to the Government Civil Hospital are in a critical con- dition.

entry

Grim testimony to the tragedy caused by the explosion. can be gauged from the following which appeared in the

"dead" book of the hospital-Fung Kwan's mather, aged 45. Whether Fung Kwan is dead, alive or Injured can- not yet be ascertained.. but it shows the tragical aspect of the catastrophe brothers or sisters or parents might have have been lost,

The accused was detained on April 28, following the discovery by a Chinese Revenue officer of a parcel of opium secured to the bot- tom of the railway seat on which the accused had patiently sat alt the way from Canton,

ป

Accused in his evidence stated that on April 28 he was proceeding to Hong Kong on the Canton Ex- press when just after leaving Bhum Chun, the train was boarded by Revenue Officers who detained him

Mr. Costello ärst came to Hong Kong in 1918. He was later trans ferred to Japan, returning here in 1925. In 1931 he was appointed to the Company's Shanghai office where he has since remained. The present is his third return to the Colony,

ANTI-OPIUM SOCIETY

after finding a parcel of opium e-Dr. Tyau Appeals To

cured under his seat.

Accused was sitting between two people on a single seat and dented possession of the opium.

When detained and question on. the train, accused told. the Reyenuc officer that he was visiting an el- der brother in Hong Kong.

Questioned by Mr. Wynne-Jones accused said he was travelling with

ed out to the "Chinese Revenue officer and who refused to examine

Malayan Chinese

Singapore, May 7.

has completely cured about 1.300 acent achievement." declares Dr opium addicts; this is a magni- Philip K. C. Tyau, (Consul-Gener- Chinese community in Malaya to" support the work of the Singa- port Anti-Opium Society.

"In twelve months this clinic

or more tragic still, complete fami- a leather suitcase which he point al for China) in an appeal to the

les might have been wiped out.

Apart from the 57 admitted, over a hundred

minor sufferers it were given casyal treatment in the course of the day, and up to still pouring in to the hospital.

The Dead

The following is the list of these that succumbed, to" their injuries in the Government Civil Hospital:

Cam Tung (male) aged 45 Au Hong (male) aged 31 LI-Kam Chuen (male) aged 12

was one that will long be remem-pened. According to a lady resia- late last evening complaints were bered. Fire raged furiously

and ing in a house in Bonham Road gutted the buildings which had she was in her been set alight. Women and chil-heard a terrific "expiceion which dren ran into the streets, shrieking | rocked the whole house. Think- piteously, some of them so badlying that some adjoining house had burnt that it was thought they collapsed she rushed into would succumb before they could street, when she saw a boy" about be rushed to hospital.

9 years old, badly burnt. and cry- The Police and the Fire Brigade ing piteously for help. She then played their parts gallantly, and saw tongues of flames leaping Hong Kong's re-fighting squad, high into the, sky, and this was under the leadership of Mr. H. T. followed by some of the udjoining. Brooks. Superintendent of the houses catching "fire and burning Fire Brigade, will have reason to furiously. be" proud of thems.lves

the on

Another version

JJ

Ste

is told by a way they attacked the flames and European lady who said she was Isolating them as far as possible. looking out of her verandah. Members of the St. John Athbal-noticed five men working on top ance Brigade also, rendered useful of the gas holder and was shocked service and on the whole the pub-

hear the explosion which Ile-spiritedness displayed by a sounded like a heavy field gun be- concerned was a credit to the coming discharged. The lady" said she munityg

saw no more of the man though arct is unerstood they were all pick- running west and south of the gased up, very seriously injured, and

The area encircled by an

of

sent to hospital.

Li Kung Chiu (male) aged 3- Chau Wing Tseng (male) aged 15 Kwok Mo Iu (male) aged 14

"His Worship remarked that it was incredible that a Revenue off- cer refused to examine the ugg age of any suspect and asked the accused to step down from the witness box.

"

SUCCESS HELD

ASSURED

Leung Chui On (male) aged 10 Gen. Chiang On Reco-

Fung Kwan's mother, aged 45 Leung Ah Ping (female) aged 4 Ko San S1 (female) aged .50 Phoon Hon Fa (female) aged 3 Unknown (female) aged about 27 Unknown (female) iged about 25 Unknown (female) nged about 15 Unknown (female) aged about 14 Unknown (male) aged 16

who was travelling in a bus at the time said that while the bus was near the Tai Ping Theatre. he heard, a shattering sound followed

very Of North-east

Nanchang, May 8, - Confiden in China's ability to recover the last territories in the North-east as expressed by Gat- eral Chiang Kai shek, President of the Military Affairs Commission, In the course of an address at the weekly memorial service held at Military Headquarters here yester- day.".

I have no hesitation (he says) to respond to the request of the Singapore Anti-Oplum Society to write on its behalf an appeal to the Chinese people in Malaya foi support, and co-operation.

The Anti-Opium Movement Is not aimed against any institution or individuals, but against a drug the continuous consumption of which by thousands of our peo- ple constitutes one of the causes of China's present weakness.

The revive the attention of the Chinese people to the evil conse- quences opium smoking, I cannot do better than to quote what famous physicians Late

said,

"

.......It saps his (addict) vitality. deprives him of his ambition and finally causes

disregard him to any responsibility except the pre- ponderating desire of getting his supply of the drug, regardless of consequence. Hereditaments, wife.

In

and children have vanished into the pipe bowls, the addict becomes. destitute and yet he still smokes his pipe on the five-footway, Such is the degradation brought through oplum smoking."...." “.....Authorities charge of the welfare of the people,

who are

are well aware of the physical, moral and mental degradation that habitual smoking brings on-to

slaves to this the smokers. Not only are they narcotic, but also they cause suffering and misery on their dependents......their wives and children, etc. Before becom- ing addicts to the drug they were diligent workers, devoted fathers and loving husbands, but no soon- er has this vice got a grip on them

their homes their wives, children than they neglect everything.......

work. They bring untold

holder received the full force the explosion, and helped by a wind that was blowing towards

At the Workshop "

Remarkable improvement in the that direction, a row of six houses) I was at the Ho Tung Engineer-by a dull muffled explosion. Im gomestic political situation has in Clarence Street Was soon Ining Workshop." said a student of mediately after this his view was

been achieved during the past four Hames, and despite the prompt the University, when the thing entirely obscured by 1 sheet por

Tenths, General Chlang seid. arrival of the Fire Brigade, they happened. I looked out .of. the flame which spread with alarming Proof of this, he polated out, may were completely gutted. Two hou-window to see what was the mat- rapidity.

be found in the successful suppres- ses at the east end of Chung Fai ter and the flames almost reach- Continuing. Mr. Stevens said sion of the rebellion of Sun Tien Street. were also soon alight while cd me." The same gentleman that failing objects strick the roofing by the Shansi Provincial another row of houses in Chung said that even the people in Rice of the bus which rocked alarming- units and the revolt of the 18th Shing Lane also caught" are. Hall felt heat, so intense it was ly, and as he guessed, what had Route Army by the forces in Fu- It was a pliiful sight to see the and so furlously did the fire rage. occurred, he told the driver to klen in pursuance of the orders tenants of these houses making for A Daily Press" representative turn the bus and he then went of the Central authorities. With safety. Old women, young women, was informed that after the ex-to make a report at No. 7 Poller the

liquidation of those revolts children and men-all with but plosion had occurred, a member or Station.

peace and order both in the North- one object-dashed into the streets the University staff rushed down Another eye witness" from the west and in the South-east have with what little of their personal to the street and, pulled the fire University said he saw sheets of beeh restored. belongings they

alarm. This, it was alleged, was metal hurled high into the air, could lay their

the first call put through to Head and as they fell on the roofs of plored that "though the

Continuing, General Chitang de- hands on.

quarters.

Chinese the adjoining houses, they set the army is the largest in the world Heroic Pricat

buildings on fre. It was practically so far as numbers are concerned.-and The writer went into St. Louis well-nigh impossible to see through only a portion is devoting itself miseries on themselves and their was in the Government Civil. Hos. industrial School which is only the cloud of smoke, pierced through to the welfare of the nation... 'pital when the explosion occurred across the road from the

י

Act Of Charity

A medical student at the Uni- versity told the writer that

he

Gas

Works and found that the place and he, together with two other fellow students. was asked to go was absolutely intact. It was in- and, see if they could be of any deed fortunate that the wind was "I saw a woman lying on not blowing towards the school as the ground with not a single plece otherwise a different tale would

be told.

time.

..

in places by the tongues of

families. Further, when once this When, however, the entire Chi-oplum amusing habit is formed. ing higher and higher all the National Army-in fact as well as along insomnia, bodily weakness, flames, which seemed to be leap- nese

army is converted into a deprivation of this narcotic brings

in name and employed for the diarrhoea and nervous troubles." Fell Out of Her Bed

suppression of banditry and resis- | All these complaints vanish when It was learnt that a Chinese lady tance against foreign invasion, as the craving is satisfied. Again residing in one of the houses close eventually it must be there is after prolonged Indulgence the was so badly burnt that there The Rev. Father Wieczorek, rec-by who was in bed at the time hope that much can be achieved mental powers become, weakened was no skin left and her face wasior of St. Anthony's Church, was had such a shock that she fell which now seems impossible, he sa terribly mutilated that if I had the hero of the day. At the time on to the floor! The houses rock-Fald.

help

of clothing on," he said. "She

ty."

As is usual in such cases,

own

thek

and the moral faculties perverted. Then these habitues will commit

and their familles, A..!!

Read. a woman who had had her a tour of the houses nearby, and houses and the police had a busy tor at the University, who was elety has, for its object, the pro-

sounds attended to at the Hospeople that there was no need for ments from the vicinity.

in a calm tone, told the frightened time keeping all undesirable ele-visiting some friends in Clarance

a revolver on me, I would have of the explosion, he was taking his ed terribly and in some cases "We firmly believe that we can any crime just to get the means put an end to her suffering. That class, in a school nearby and when window panes were shattered. recover our East territories in the to appease the craving. Rapidly would have beer an act of char- be realised the extent of the havoc Another Chinese woman was so North-east revive the national the vitality of these slaves to the the fire was playing in the ad-Burried that she kept asking the spirit, and make China a modern pipe begins to flag their health The injured were rushed to the joining houses, he rushed into the other inmates of her house for her and powerful country? General uns low and their habits turn Government Civil Hospital with all basement of one of the houses keys until she was told by some Chiang declared-Kuş Min. filthy. They neglect themselves. possible speed while the dead bod, that was on fire, and regardless, calmer member of the household

Being poor in bodily resistence. les picked up were sent to the of the grave danger to which he that the keys were in her

they contract diseases and in par Martuary. These included one of

was exposing himself, he brought |pocket!. baby who was stated to have out a man, a woman and a small

their injuries, while a number of ticular tuberculosis of the lungs. the others were so badly injured that From now on and not until death, hoen suffocated by the fumes. Out-

child. Not satisfied with

this "bad boys" tried to steal from the they are not expected to recover they are a burden, to themselves side the door of No. 73, Bonham effort, Father Wieczorek then made people who had to vacate

Mr. Lam Tung. official transla

The Singapore Anti-Ophum So-

Terrace at the time, was amongst pagation of the knowledge of the dreadful consequences of oplúm "those injured and had to be re-

addiction, "warning the younger The staff at the Government moved to the hospital.

generation and others of the His Excellency's Sympathý.

danger they will fall into once His Excellency the Governor, Bir they use the drug. It has also about their work, caring for the willam Peel, was greatly shocked established a clinic for the scienti injured, and attending to those on receiving word of the disaster fic treatment of opium addicts. In d around for her baby and while huge 500,000 cubic meter one, not so seriously hurt. oing so had her face and hand situated next to the main offices

and expressed his deepest sym- 12 months this clinic. has com- adly burnt. The baby, fortunate of the Gas Company. One eye am. no fewer than seventy people the relatives of the dead and in addicts. This is magnificent ac- Between 11.30 am.. and 1145 pathy with the injured and with pletely cured about 1,300 opium escaped uninjured which is witness described the explosion as were admitted to the hospital so tired. ather surprising as the mother a dull muffled explosion, followed the scene at that institution may

hievement!! Immediately his return from: The Singapore Anti-Oplum 80-

and its Clinic. are

al and discharged as a "not ser- alarm and that the best thing for ous case," told a crowd of people them to do was

to "keep their

The Hospital Staff

that she was in her room doing heads" and leave the premises in civil Hospital must be congratulat- ome sewing. She heard the ex- plosion and then the next thing an orderly manner...

he knew was that her house was }} Hure Gas Holder

n Are. The woman said she look- The gas holder involved was the

ed on the way in which they went

4.

well

ad to fight her way through the by amoke and names while a palt be imagined, with everybody from the New Territs. His Excellency clety ames to safety, carrying the of escaped gas soon formed a matrca downwards, on emergency visited the scof the tragedy, worthy of support, and I appeal to by the time

shroud round the

neighbouring duty. By three o'clock yesterday subsequently p a visit to the every Chinese In Malaya to do his

ernment Civi bit to help them to carry on

great

noble wzork

As is to be expected; 'everyone | districts.

afternoon, five of the number ad-injured at the

ho was in the vicinity had his Mr. II. O. Stevens of the P.W.Dmitred to hospital succumbed to Hospital.

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