Sessional_Paper_1949 — Page 9

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The Order of Hearing Evidence:

11. The phases were as follows:

Phase A.

Phase B.

Phase C.

Phase D.

Phase E.

Phase F.

Phase G.

Evidence on the structure and user of the premises and the number of persons who lost their lives in the fire.

Evidence on the outbreak of the fire and the action taken by the inhabitants of the tenements.

Evidence on the rescue of the inhabitants and the measures taken to combat the Fire by the Fire Brigade and the Police Force.

Investigation into the origin of the fire.

Investigation into the storage of goods in the Wing On Godowns.

Investigations into the measures at present operative in regard to storage, insurance and fire prevention and inspection services.

Additional evidence the necessity for which might become plain during the course of the inquiry, and evidence which might aid the Commission in its recommendations.

In practice, Phases F and G were so interlinked that their separation was neither practicable nor indeed necessary.

12. Although the instrument appointing the Commission gave no specific direc- tion, we decided that in view of the magnitude of the disaster and the great public interest aroused at the time, as well as the number of rumours that were prevalent, the public interest would best be satisfied by holding our Inquiry in public, although this inevitably had the effect of slowing down its pace. We accordingly invited all persons who had information which could assist the Commission to communicate with us.

Visit to the Fire Area and Demonstration of the Burning of Film:

13. We visited the scene of the fire on 19th October, 1948 and were shown round the premises by Mr. R. C. Terry, the Assistant Government Chemist and by officers of the Fire Brigade, the Police Force and the Sanitary Department. A thorough inspec- tion was made of the tenements and the godown below them, but we inspected only the ground floor and the exterior of the main godown. We also had the opportunity of witnessing the burning of a small quantity of celluloid film on a piece of waste ground and experiencing the intense heat generated and the rapidity of combustion.

Taking and Hearing of Evidence:

14. We held our first hearing in the afternoon of 2nd November in the Supreme Court, and subsequent to that there were either in the morning or the afternoon 13 further hearings. In addition we met in private on 7 occasions to discuss proceedurel matters, the evidence heard, and our recommendations.

15. Evidence was given on oath by 52 witnesses, the whole of this evidence being transcribed by court reporters. In addition the General Chamber of Commerce and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce were invited to nominate representatives who could assist us with advice on current godown practice, the Fire Insurance Association to nominate a representative to give advice on Fire Insurance practice, and the Marine Department to nominate an officer to assist with information on the administration of the Dangerous Goods Ordinance by that Department. Both Chambers of Commerce and the Association were also invited to make representations which might be of assistance to the Commission in its recommendations. The Commission also received assistance from Mr. T. Murphy, the Fire Assessor of the Fire Insurance Association. We are much indebted to these gentlemen for their advice and assistance. A list of persons who gave evidence before the Commission is attached as Appendix 1 to our report.

16. The arrangements for the preliminary examination of witnesses and the pre- paration of plans and an extensive series of photographs were undertaken by Detective Sub-Inspector A. Shaw of the Police Force, who was assisted in these duties by the Buildings Ordinance Office of the Public Works Department, and the Government