=
DIE
SOIT
MON
DROIT
THE HONGKONG
Government Gazette.
No. 18.
Published by Authority.
No. 49.
VICTORIA, SATURDAY, 1ST MAY, 1869.
VOL. XV.
"
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
The following Report from the Superintendent of the Hongkong Fire Brigade is published for general information.
No. 3.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 1st May, 1869.
REPORT.
J. GARDINER AUSTIN,
Colonial Secretary.
VICTORIA, HONGKONG, 1st May, 1869.
SIR,-A general Inspection and Parade of the Fire Brigade and Volunteer Fire Brigades took place at the Praya Central at 5 P.M., on the 10th April, ultimo. The Force present consisted of the whole of the Government Fire Brigade, Chinese Volunteers, and the Hongkong Insurance Companies Volunteers.
The following Fire Engines, &c., were brought under examination :
1. "Hongkong" Insurance Company's Steam Engine.
1. "Royal" Insurance Company's Hand Engine.
3. "Pawnbrokers," "Silk Mercers," and "Nampak Hongs" Engines.
3. Government Fire Brigade Engines, 2 Supply Carts, Ladders, &c.
The whole of the Fire Engines were brought into play at the "Praya."
The Engine of the "Royal" Insurance Company, and the small Engine of the Government Fire Brigade did not work satisfactorily. The whole of the others were in good order and efficient. The "Hongkong" Steam Insurance Company's Engine worked with two branches of delivery Hose and both threw water to the height of about sixty-five feet.
Mr. HAYES, the Chief of the Shanghae Fire Brigade, was present by invitation and expressed his recognition of the general satisfactory state of the means at command for extinguishing Fire.
At the Fire which took place at Wellington Street on the night of the 19th April all the the foregoing Fire Engines were present, and the two found defective at the inspection on the 10th April had in the interim been repaired, and were found to work well (vide my official Report dated 20th April.)
An Inspection of the Government Fire Brigade Engines and Stores, was held at the Cross Roads, Fire Station, at 5 P.M., on the 30th April. The Hose, Stores, and Equipments were examined and found in good order. Each Engine was in turn worked with one length of Suction Pipe, and one length of Delivery Hose.
The Engine of the "Royal" Insurance Company, was present, and brought into play, and found to work satisfactorily. The "Hongkong" Insurance Company Volunteers, the Chinese Volunteers, and the Chinese owned Engines, were not called upon to attend, having been twice under observation during the month.
Since my last Report, Fire Bells have been affixed to the East end of the Central Police Station, the East end of the Cross Roads Central Fire Station, and on the turret of the Harbor Master's Officers Quarters (which is also an Engine Station), so that these Fire Bells (in conjunction with the Bell of the Clock Tower) will increase the means of giving "alarm outbreak of Fires. I desire to mention that the Iron work and fittings of these Bells were made (with the ready aid of Mr. DOUGLAS) by Jail labor.
at the
Two Fire ladders broken at the Fire before alluded to have been replaced by others, and two additional ladders ordered to be kept in reserve. Five hundred feet of Canvas Hose have been purchased since last month's Report to be kept in Store.
I have the honor to be
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
The Honorable J. GARDINER AUSTIN,
Colonial Secretary.
C. MAY, Superintendent Fire Brigade.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.