Sessional_Paper_1891 — Page 418

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HONGKONG, 26th October, 1891.

SIR,I have the honour to forward herewith a report on the state of the Government Fire Engines for the year ending 31st December, 1890.

STEAMER No. 1.

(Floating Engine) by Messrs. Merryweather & Co.

This Engine has been 23 years in service. In December last, the Launch, Engine, Boiler and Pumps received a general overhaul and were put in good order, the time occupied for these repairs was 15 days and since then it has done good service.

During the year the Engine has not been disabled at a fire, and is now in good working order.

STEAMER No. 2.

(Land Engine) by Messrs. Merryweather & Co.

This Engine has been 22 years in service. During the year it has not been disabled at a fire, it has been kept in reserve, and only used at drill for drivers. The Engine is in need of a thorough overhaul and the Boiler requires some extensive repairs to fire-box, but, as this Engine is of an obsolete type for land purposes, and cannot be relied upon to work efficiently under full power, I would recom mend it to be replaced with one of SHAND & MASON's powerful Pumps similar to No. 5.

STEAMER NO. 3. .

(Land Engine) by Shand & Mason.

This Engine has been 11 years in service. During the year it has not been disabled at a fire; it has done good service, was examined and tested in May last, and is now in good working order.

STEAMER No. 4.

(Land Engine) by Shand & Mason.

This Engine has been 8 years in service. During the year it has worked satisfactorily, and is now in good working order.

STEAMER No. 5.

(Land Engine) by Shand & Mason.

This Engine has been 4 years in service.. It has not been disabled at a fire, and is now in good working order.

STEAMER No. 6 (late Volunteer.)

(Land Engine) by Shand & Mason.

This Engine has been 11 years in service, (9 years in Volunteer Brigade). In April last the Boiler was fitted with new Injector, and the Engine and Pumps were carefully overhauled, the time occupied for these repairs was 7 days. During the year it has done good service, has not been disabled at a fire and is now in good working order.

Manual Engines (9) all in good working order.

During the year the calls on the Brigade have been few, compared with former years, and the Engines and Boilers, have been carefully examined and tested. There has been a new system of drills for drivers introduced. Instructions for their guidance have been printed in the form of questions and answers containing information that they ought to be in possession of; and drills held twice a week, those drivers proving themselves efficient have received Certificates.

Additional pumping power is much required in the Harbour and at Kowloon, and I would respectfully suggest that another floating Engine be supplied, as being the most useful for attacking a fire on board Ship, or on shore at Kowloon or assisting the other Engines.

The Assistant Engineer and the Engine Drivers have given every attention to their duties, and have always attended promptly to the calls on the Fire Department. I have the honour to be,

TO GEO. HORSPOOL, Esquire,

Acting Superintendent, Government Fire Brigade.

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

JOHN W. KINGHORN, Engineer, Government Fire Brigade.