1929-05-03 — Page 2

Columbia

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THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH.

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

THREE MILLION DOLLARS FOR ABERDEEN RESERVOIR.

FIRE FIGHTING. Several important matters werd discussed at yesterday's meeting of the Legislative Council..

llon. Mr. J. P. Braga asked the following questions:

(a) Will the Director of Public Works Inform the Council whether in the scheme of Town Planning for Kowloon any site, and where, has been earmarked for a recreation ground for the growl number of members of the Police Force stationed at Kowloon and of the subordinato staff in the ser Ivice of the Government?.

Police Recreation Ground,

FRIDAY, MAY, 3, 1929.

TC-

ing Authority with statutory level, of the street are required to the report of the Committee ap-tainment, Garages and the Storage. powers enabling him to call be provided with such means of pointed to consider suggestions of inflammable liquids were upon the owners of buildings of escape in the case of fire for the for the improvement of the fire-cently submitted to the Govern the type mentioned in Question persons dwelling or employed there-aghting organisation of the Co-ment, together with a draft bill (d) to make adequate and ample in. the Building Authority may lony, which was laid on the table enabling these regulations to be provision for fire-escapes in such reasonably require, in accordance of the Legislative Council on tho put into effect. Further considera- tion of these draft regulations was buildings, and to permit of their with section 149 of Ordinance 1 of 97th May, 19277 regular Inspection by officers ap 1908. This requirement has been 2 If steps have already been postponed pending the finding of polated by the Government;

regularly enforced since 1803 but taken, what further steps does the the Coroner's enquiry into the

King Edward Hotel fire. to require that the main stair opinions have varied from time to Government propose to take?

2. The regulations already The Colonial Secretary replied:/ sase of buildings designed for time as to what is reasonable, much

1. In matters of personnel and drafted are receiving consideration. uso na hostelries and groups of stricter views having prevailed in recent years. The Building | Av- offices shall be built of Are thority now consults the Chief Of equipment the recommendations or/and the preparation of further re- proof. material? +

ficer, Fire Brigade, before express the Committer referred to have gulations is being considered by (1) Will the Government con- ing satisfaction under section 149, been generally adopted and either the departments concerned.

have been or are being carried out. sider the advisability of compell. The section further requires any with certain minor exceptions, the ABERDEEN WATER SCHEME ing holders of Hotel Licences to means of escape so provided to be fulfil the requirements set out in maintained to the satisfaction of chief of which is that the Govern Question (d) and to instal auto- the Building Authority; but in-ment considered it best to retalu Council Decide on Construction matic electric fire-alarms; or other sufficiency of staff has prevented the Captain Superintendent of mechanical contrivances for effec- regular Inspections from being Police Chief Officer of the tively raising alarms upon an out-carried out to see that this part of Fire Brigade.

As regards construction, it bas break of fire, in their premises?

Certain classes of exceptional not yet been possible to provide bulldings such as Hotels, Cinemas, funds for the suggested main Sta Theatres, etc., have for some years tion in Kowloon but the site ro past been required by the Building ferred to is earmarked for the pur sub-stations Temporary Authority to have special protec- pose. tion against fire even though of a exist in the Eastern and Western. less height than those referred to Districts of Victoria but the per- in section 149. The Government Lamanent bulidings have not yet been now considering whether similar erected for want of funds. The safeguards should not be required Shaukiwan sub-station has not yet in respect of all buildings of more been provided, but a hand-trailed motor-pump is installed at. Shouk!- than two stories.

It must be remembered that the wan Police Station. plans of the King Edward Hotel were approved in 1902 and the building was certified in 1908 when leag stringent views prevailed than those now enforced.

Colonial Secretary's Reply. The Colonial Secretary replied: (a) The Government is satisfied (b) If no such site has been that the Hfe-saving apparatus and marked out as yet, will the Govern equipment of the Hongkong Fire ment consider the advisability of Brigade are thoroughly up to date forthwith making a suitable reser-except the motor turnable ladder vation of Orown land, both na rd which is seven years old, and is 68 gards area and location, for refeet in height. It is to be remem- appliance is creation purposes for the above. bered that this mentioned members of the Civil primarily a water-tower, to be Service residing at Kowloon? used as such by members of the only oc- The Director of Public Works Fire Brigade, and can

casionally be used for life-anving replied:

(a) Apart from the parade purposes, in circumstances requir- ground at the Polico Training ing extreme care and considerable School no area has been specially skill. The Government has taken earmarked as a recreation ground note of the suggestion in the find- either for the Police Force or for ing of the Jury at the Inquest into the subordinate employees of Gov- the fatalities in the King Edward Hotel that an improved water- ernment, residing at Kowloon.

(b) The Town Planning scheme tower should be obtained and the for Kowloon makes provision for matter is now under consideration. the reservation of several areas for The cost is considerable and may recreation grounds and Govern-amount to as much as $30,000 for ment proposes to develop these as and when funds can be made avail- (b) No. The longest manual able. The Government has decided fire escape in Hongkong is 60 feet to appoint a Committee under in height, which is the largest Chairmanship of the Colonial made. The largest mechanical Secretary to review the provision Fire Brigade ladder or water- at prosent existing for playing fields tower manufactured so far as is in Hongkong and on the mainland, known is only 85 feet in length and to consider what provision, is there are many

buildings in the quired for the future and to make Colony with stories above this recommendation in the, matter.

height. It is one of these water. towers which is referred to in the answer to the first part of the Honourable Member's question.

FIRE ESCAPES..

The Beiency of the Local Brigade..

Hon. Mr. J. P. Braga asked:

(a) Without implying any flection on the personnel of the efficient and hard-working staff of the Fire Brigade, is the Govern ment satisfied with the up-to- dateness and completeness of the appliances and equipment for life- saving in the event of another outbreak of fire like that of the King Edward Hotel in the small hours of the 11th March 7

(b) Are the rescue-Indders of a sufficient height to reach the top flour of the tallest building in the Colony when any inmates are astrapped therein in the ease of u fire?

(c)

If not, will the Government take immediate steps to provide the Fire

Department with a sufficiency of all appliances (in cluding jumping-sheets) necessary so as to avert the recurrence of a disaster and to minimize, as far as practicable, the loss of lives such as happened in the King Edward Hotel fire7

an

one machine.

(c) With the exception of the improved water-tower already re- ferred to, the Fire Brigade his all the equipment recognised by the London Fire Brigade as life-sav ing apparatus. Certain other ap pliances such as rocket lines have been under careful consideration but are not considered, to be of practical value,

Inspection of Bulidings. ·

(d), (e) & (0) Power, of in- spection of buildings by the Build- Ing Author!t exists, but the neces- sary staff to make immediate in- spections such as are suggested in the Honourable Member's question is not nyatinble. Inspections were actually made by Fire Brigade Of- ficers of 982 buildings during 1928 and advice given. The more dif- ficult questions are those of the policy of enforcing a more modern interpretation of section 149 of Ordinance No. 1 of 1903 in the case of buildings erected prior to the enactment of that section in 1908, and of the power to enforce such an interpretation in the case of buildings which have been certi fied as complying with Ordinance No. 1 of 1909. This subject has from time to time engaged the at- tention of the Government and it is now a matter for consideration whether the interests of the public should not outweigh the hardship to owners of property. In view of doubts as to the legal position fresh legislation would be neces- there are indicators show-sarv amending section 149 of the Health and Buildings ing the way to the exits Public and lighted in red by night, Ordinance and enabling modern in the same manner as is safety requirements to

enforceable in the done in theatres; (HD) that the passages along huildings irrespective of age and certificates. The Govern these exits are made easily prior accessible and kept free ment is not yet antisfied that from obstructions at all drastic legislation of this kind is Limes?

called for. It will be realized that the enforcement of such legislation.

(d). Will the Government cause Immediate inspection to bo made of all the large buildings and offices in the Colony. Prince's, Alexandra, and similar buildings to ascertain if

(1)

(11)

€

fire exits are provided on every floor therein;

be made CORE of all

(e) If no powers exist to com- would render necessary the re pel the enforcement of the require-construction of much of the house ments stated in clauses (e), () property at present existing in and (ii) of the foregoing guca Hongkong. tion, will the Government frame

and

introduce early legislation

with a view-

PHONE:-CENTRAL No. 1116,

{ Wont St 20.

Wing. Woo Street

Stricter Views,

Under the Law as it has exist-

to amend the Building Ordine ed since 1983, all buildings with ance so as to invest the Build-floors more than 40 ft, above the

the section is observed.

!

of New Reservoir. The Colonial Secretary: Sir-rise to move the resolu tion standing in my name, viz.

"That this... Council approves the carrying out of the Aberdeen Water scheme set out in Sea- sional Paper No. 10 of 1927, at an estimated cost of $2,702,000 and the expenditure of a sum of $555,000 during tha. current financial year, the cost to be met by a future loan and meanwhile to be charged as an advance from the surplus balances of the funds of the Colony."

The relaying of the water mains The details of the scheme are · and fixing of pedestal hydrants is fully set out in Scasional Paper No. 10 of 1927 and it is therefore being undertaken on annual votes.

As regards legislation for the unnecessary for me to take up the purpose recommended by the Com time of the Council with a dotailed With reference to the detailed mittee, namely to give the Governor description of the scheme which it suggestions in paragraph (1) of in Council power to make regula-is estimated will provide an ad- the Honourable Member's question tions in regard to the prevention of ditional 2.12 million gallons of regarding Indicators, Electric Fire fire, escape from, and extinction of water a day. Suffice it to say that Alarms, etc., these suggestions are fires, the matter was referred to the It appears to be the last remaining receiving the consideration of the Attorney General, who advised that practicable scheme for any large Government; but It la probable legislation was necessary, but that increase in the storage of water that legislation will be necessary the drafting of the Ordinance on the Island of Hongkong without before they can be insisted upon abould await the formulation of the almost prohibitive expenditure. I in the case of buildings already regulations to be made thereunder. think it will be generally admitted certified.

The matter was then referred to especially in view of our unplea the Chief Officer of the Fire ant experience during the long Brigade, but owing to the great drought, which unfortunately still, Hon. Mr. W. E.. L. Shenton difficulty of compiling practicable continues, that, whatever water we regulations, the matter has nindo may be able to bring across from 1. What steps have been taken slow progress. Draft regulations Kowloon we ought to have avail-

(Continued on Page 11.) by the Government to carry out regarding places of Public Enter-1

Improvement Suggestions.

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