56126-1918-Legislative-Council-Minutes-No-1 — Page 4

THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, MARCH 1, 1918.

79

9. Is it not a fact that the Brigade is seriously understaffed and hopelessly handicapped through lack of efficient gear to deal successfully with a fire in such a building as the Hongkong Hotel or one of the European office buildings in Chater Road or other high buildings? 10. What is the utmost extension of the existing ladder escapes and to what height will they reach

when fully extended ?

11. Is it not a fact that in the fire in Watson's godown and laboratory the escapes were quite

inadequate to reach the top story?

12. Is it not a fact that the Central Fire Station still relies on the prehistoric custom of giving an alarm by a handbell, instead of by electric alarm as is installed in other large towns? If the latter were installed would it not lead to a quicker turnout?

1. Will the Government state how many members of the European Regular Police Force have been allowed to go home since the outbreak of War in order to join the Army, and whether any of their names were submitted to the "Military Service Commission "?

2. How do the numbers of such European Regular Police Force now on duty in the Colony

compare with the numbers on duty here on the 4th of August, 1914?

3. How many members of the European Police Force were allowed to leave the Colony during the

year 1917 ?

4. Is it not the fact that in the year 1916 as compared with the year 1915 there was an increase of Burglaries and Larcenies amounting to 362 in number and that such increase was to a considerable extent due to the very large influx of undesirables into the Colony owing to disturbances in the neighbouring Chinese Provinces ?

5. Has such influx of undesirables into the Colony continued during the year 1917, and if so, to

what extent ?

6. What steps are taken to examine boats, launches and trains arriving in the Colony, for diseased

and undesirable persons, and what measures are adopted to prevent their landing?

7. In view of the serious depletion of the European Regular Police Force, will the Government

take such immediate steps as may be possible during the War to increase the "Force"?

8. Of what date and pattern are the revolvers supplied to the Regular Police Force, and are they

not inferior to those used by the Naval Yard Police?

9. What revolvers are issued to the Reserve Police Force and have they received any instruction

and practice in the use of them ?

10. Are the Regular Police given practice in revolver shooting?

11. Has the Government sufficient truncheons at the various stations to arm all the "Reserve Police

Force" in case of need?

12. What are the individual amounts of the pensions which the widows and dependents of those

murdered in the late "Gresson Street Raid" are entitled to receive from the Government ? 13. Will the Government consider the advisability of immediately making a substantial money

grant to supplement various local funds being raised to assist them ?

The Colonial Secretary replied.

MALAY STATES EXTRADITION ORDINANCE REPEAL BILL.-The Attorney General moved the First reading of a Bill intituled An Ordinance to repeal the Malay States Extradition Ordinance, 1903.

The Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question--put and agreed to.

Bill read a first time.

INDECENT EXHIBITIONS BILL.-The Attorney General moved the First reading of a Bill intituled An Ordinance to prohibit exhibitions, publications, and advertisements of an indecent, obscene, revolting, or offensive nature.

The Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

Bill read a first time.

JURORS LIST FOR 1918.-The Council went into Committee to consider the Jurors List in camera.

ADJOURNMENT.----The Council then adjourned sine die.

Confirmed this 28th day of February, 1918.

A. G. M. FLETCHER,

Clerk of Councils.

F. H. MAY, Governor.