1938-02-26 — Page 5

KOWLOON RESIDENTS DO MUCH TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS OF LIVING

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH. SATURDAY,

LAST-MINUTE HINTS FOR H.K. BLACK-OUT

Year's Activities Briefly Reviewed

The annual general meeting of the Kowloon Residents' Asso- ciation will be held in St. Andrew's Church, Kowloon, on Friday, March 4, at 6 p.m.

The report of the General Committee states:

The efforts of the Association towards furthering the in- terests of Kowloon residents and in protecting and improving the amenities of the Peninsula were steadily continued during the year 1937.

1

GUIDE BOOK

In

Work on the compilation of o

·FEBRUARY 26, 1938.

In a broadcast talk over Z.B.W. last evening, Col. N. M. S. Irwin, 0.9.0. 1, offlcer in charge of co-ordination of the Colony defences, said: It may be thought that the Government is being unnecessarlly annoying by imposing on the Colony a restric tion which, for convenience, is called "black-out." It may be considored that when the occasion arises demanding a total eclipse of the lights of the Colony the reason will be so cogent that the people will be ready enough to turn out their lights and sit in darkness until the danger is passed and, therefore, why inconvenience the publle by having practice "black-outs" now? I will give you tws very good reasons why we cannot wait until. the last minute, that is to say, until just before an air raid arrives, before extinguishing all the lights in Hongkong and why, therefore, in war we wish to keep the Colony in such a permanent state of dim illumination that its presence would not be readily disclosed to a hostile airman.

moments

Bomber acroplane? The Air Raids Precautions Sub-Committee belleves this latter to bo the correct policy.

BUSINESS AS USUAL

The slogan. "Business as usual": which formed almost the basis of the British home policy in 1914, if sensi- | is applied might well become the

Perhaps, the most outstanding fea-¡ planes being flown at unnecessarily ture of the work done during the low altitudes over hospitals, schools, year under review in the report on and other buildings causing In- tho problem of Leprosy in the convenience to the inmates, especial- Colony issued in July. The Associo-ly doctors and teachers, was men- The first reason is that, placed as tlon ja and doubtless tho public tioned. Representations to the generally will feel deeply indented Director of Air Services resulted we are on the edge of the sea with no outlying ferritory on the lines to the members of the sub-committee no helpful response, but when the responsible for the report, for the matter was brought to the notice of of possible attack, we cannot hope to of the Civil get early warning of the approach of painstaking labour which they ex- the Superintendent

only a few pended on it and to the doctors, Aerodrome and the Omeer Com-air rulus. Therefore

at the most before the missionarice, and other friends whomanding, R.A.F.. Kat Tok, assurances co-operated so unselfishly with them were given that efforts would be bombs start to drop can we expect 10 Ket news that an air rold is coming in carrying out the investigation. made to abale the nuisance. Copies of the report were

Bent to

When we get the information at out Government and it was hoped that

Military Headquarters how can we slogan for the Lighting Folicy of the "Business ភួង financial provision for providing o

get the news out to everyone in time Colony so long as leper settlement in

to get them to turn out their Bghts? A rural area Gulde Book to Kowloon and the New No sort of warning signal can be snusual" does not cause va lo detract would be available in the

the 1930 estimates. This hope has not, how-

ow-Territories has gone forward slowly absolutely effective as to ensure this one whit from our determination to ever, been realised, the Government but surely, and it is hoped to have But there is a method of acting in- surmount the greater danger of in- having further postponed considera- the book in print in the near future.

stantly and thereby darkening the vasion by land and sca. tion of this much needed initial step The Association's thanics are extend Colony on receipt of news of an in In dealing with the problem.

pending raid, and that is by turning ed to The Kowloon Motor Bus Co. off all Light and power at source by Ltd. and The Hongkong & Yaumati pulling out the switches and closing Ferry Co. Ltd. for their continued the taps at the electric light and gas xenerosity in providing our histor-

works, That results in a complete iun with a complimentary tickel black-out" and is a course of action which facilitates his travelling in

which might be effective were it not quest of material, for the book,

for the second reason I am about to lve you; but in addition this course brings with it many difficulties and dangers which I will refer to in a moment.

The following is a brief cummary of the other important matters dealt with by the Association during 1037; for fuller particulars, the reader is referred to the correspondence in the appendices,

BUS SERVICES

Several matters under this head were taken up with The Kowloon Motor Bus Co. Ltd. and in each case received courteous consideration. The agitation for a reduction of bus tares commenced in the latter part of 1036 happily resulted in a new scheme coming into force Oil the August 1, 1937, which entitles a short distance passenger to travel two sections for the same fare formerly charged for опо section. This is tantamount to a reduction in fares and has proved of much benefit to the travelling public.

CEMETERIES IN KOWLOON

Government has asked for the Association's views regarding a pro- posal to move the Roman Catholle Cemetery on Kowloon Inlanch Lot

2140 to another site. The matter is

being carefully considered by a sub- committee, who will at the same time investigate the position of other non- Chinese cemeteries in Kowloon.

POSTAL MÁTTERS

To Implement this polley success- fully, much practice, much honest co-operation and understanding by the people will be necessary.

To give you an exemple of what can be done by individual effort I will tell you the case of the Queen Mary Hospital. You all know what a prominent heavily windowed build- ing it is. Well, the Medical Officer In charge took the problem before him of screening his essential lights most seriously and knowing this, on the occasion of the last "bluck-out,"

THE SECOND REASON

The second good reason why we flew over the hospital, circling the cannot wait until that last minute is building twice. I saw no tell-tale that the acroplanes can see lights lights whatever. When I returned to from a great distance, further, in my office I rang the Medical Oferr fact, than the sound of the acroplane's in charge of the Hospital and told engine travels, therefore, before we him how successful his efforts had have even, received the warning of been and added this question, "Are A complaint that the Kowloon the aeroplane's approach it has prob- you prepared to carry on under your Post Office was understaffed was ably picked up the lights of Hong-present lighting conditions for two months?" He said he was. That taken up by your President personal-kong and so confirmed that it is on

shows exactly what we want and ly with the Postmaster General, who its proper course.

what can be done, The re-arrangement of bus routes stated that steps would be taken to has been the subject of considerable cage an extra shroff as soon as room could be made to accommodate correspondence

with

the newly him. created Trame Board. A letter con- veying the decisions arrived at by the Board has come to hand just as this report is being drafted and it is satisfactory to note that the im- provements are more or less in line with those advocated by this Associa- tion.

You will probably think that this second reason is not a very good one

In a similar way we want people to

because even if the enemy aeroplane arrange the screening of their own does locate the direction of Hong- house lights so that they cannot be STREET SLEEPERS

kong, by the time it arrives at the scea from outalde and in this connec- point when it bus to release its bombs tion it is comforting to know that it The Association continued to give it is fairly certain that most of the fakes quite a thin curtain to screen its support to the Street Sleepers' lights will have been turned out, in a light so long as the colour of the Shelter Society, which did much good any case enough of them to confuse curtain is dark; similarly blued elec {work during the year. The Com- the airman and make it difficult for tric light bulbs or shaded lamps mittee agalñ voted the sum of $50 him to pick out the Milllary Objec-directed away from windows provide

to the Society's funds and Rev. J. R. | tives. The Association

ta suggested

Higgs relleved Mr. C. E. Terry as Government that its work as well as the Association's representative on that of the Traffle Board might be their committee. facilitated if it were represented on that Board, but Government replied that "sectional representation" would not be desirable in the case of such a Board.

-ROAD-SURFACING

MISCELLANEOUS

Information

I am afraid we cannot be satisfied with such a gamble and besides, are you so certain that the airman will aim at a Military objective only, re- leasing his death dealing load only The nuisance caused by transport- if there is no chance of it falling ing cement to and from some pre- other than on a Military target? No, mises in Kowloon City was the cause you cannot be certain. The bomb of-some-correspondence-between-the-will-bo-released. all right und what In the face of Government's pre- Association and the Urban Council: Intee the best of a bad job. And Interests you most, therefore, is how vious letters to the effect that the later the nuisance was abated. exigencies of the financial situation

so we come to the "black-out" as one did not permit of the maintenance of

was sought 15 to means of making the best of a bad such a high standard of road-sur-Government's proposals regarding job. The term "black-out" is, as I facing as had preválled formerly, the use of the new road leading to nald earlier, convenient, but it is not little was accomplished apart from Clear Water Bay and the surround-quite appropriate because it implies drawing attention to the unsuitable ing territory, but so far the particu- the very condition that we think material being used as top dressing lars required have not been received. in several areas. TRAFFIC AND STREET LIGHTING The institution of a 'silent zone for traffic and of a speed limit of 30! m.p.h.. in urban areas, the widening! On the expiry of his term of office, of the road on the dangerous bend the Rev. J. R. Higgs WALS again near Tsuen Wan village, the possi-nominated by the Association for a bility of covering the nullah in further appointment as a member of Waterloo Road, the effective labell the Board of Education. ing of parking places, and the erec-

"The

Jast communication

from

The question of re-naming of Fire Stations in Kowloon was referred to this Association for its opinion by the Chiet Officer of the Fire Brigade.

wiser to avold. Complete "black- oul" would only be possible by cut- ting off all lights at the mains, and consider for a moment what life would be like under such interrupt ed conditions. No Cinemas or amuse ments to keep up our spirits, could continue under these conditions.

ALARM AND PANIC

a screened

adequate infernal lighting without being conspicuous from outside. It is the naked light which is most con- spicuous from the air, light, even a car alde lump, provided it has a thin paper covering is, except from extremely low altitudes, prae- tically invisible from the air; so real- ly the individual's task is not such a difficult one.

SIMPLE RULES

The conditions of the next "black- out" practice have been published in the Press and some explanatory nn- nouncements are also, being made daily from this studio. The rules are simple and if strictly adhered to re- latively very little inconvenience will be caused. But don't funk it like many people did in December and just put out your lights and walk in the streets or go to bed, That is not practice. Will you, therefore, regard this coming "black-out" and others which will inevitably follow af cer- an intervals as renl praetlees to en- able you to carry out your own ex- periments in restricting lights and

Think of the alarm and probably to get accustomed to a degree of sub- panic which might occur in crowd-dued lighting which will enable you

The alternative must be the ab-

source, a measure which the Govern1–

tion of traffic signs were among the Other matters which engaged theed houses when the lights suddenly to continue to exist in War in rea- matters dealt with under the Im-attention of your Committee included go out and when hot weather the sonable comfort and added security. portant heading of traffic.

the possibility of converting a piece

Enns stop na well. What of opera- The Association has not ceased to of land adjoining the Junction of tlons in Hospitals cut short at criti-

Taipa

Road and Lai Chi Kok Road cal momenta until alternative illu-solute "black-out achieved only by urge that better Hghting be installed into a place of public resort, the de- minution can be brought into action, / cutting off all power and light at as soon as possible in Nathan Road. | sirability of placing a clock in the for lifts suddenly stopped leaving you ment wishes to avald and which i Government was to the effect that tower of St. Teresa's Church, the entrapped between itoors. Further am sure you will agree should if pas-

more, many technical difficulties fol-sible be avoided. the matter was receiving active and enlarging and moderniaing of the low with street lighting, with bot Kowloon Mortuary, the reason why sympathetle consideration".

season ticket holders on the Kowloon water or cold storage and refrigera- City, Hunghom, and Salwanha ferries or systems, and even with milking are not entitled to travel on the Jor-processes at the Dulry, Farm. dan Road, Mangkok, and Samshulpo Throughout a war in which we ferries, the increase in prevalence of

are exposed to air attack should we mosquitos in the Chatham Road accept these dangers and disadvan- area, and the need for erecting name tages or should we try out a self im- plates at the corners of many streets posed degree of restricted or subduca But Mother and Daughter in Kowloon,

lighting all night and every night, which will be just enough to meet our | own essential needs, but not enough to be of material assistance to the

DRAINAGE AND SANITATION Several mailers under this head formed the subject of a set of ques tions drafted by the Association and asked in the Urban Counell by Dr. R. A. de Castro Basto,

CRIME IN KOWLOON

The terlous increase of crime occationed several letters between tho Association and the Police Department. Assurances were given

RENT INCREASES

The subject of alleged undue in- crease of rentals was also carefully considered, but your Committee de

rents for some considerable time had been at a lower level than formerly

BY APPOINTMENT

DIAGRAM SHEWING

THE PHENOMENAL INCREASE

IN HONGKONG

OF

FINDLATER'S GIN ́

FOR THE YEARS ENDED

31st December 1933-1937

YET ANOTHER TRIBUTE TO THE QUALITY OF

FINDLATER'S PRODUCTS

Sole Agents:

GILMAN & CO., LTD.

GLOUCESTER ARCADE

IN THE

HONGKONG

1033

1934

1035

1030

1937

HOTEL

GRILL ROOM

TO-NIGHT, 26th FEBRUARY

SPECIAL DINNER DANCE

$5.00 per person

FATNESS WAS IN THE FAMILY

Both. Reduced

One sometimes hears itanid: "She'll run to fat like her mother," and it is true that fatness often runs

year for their invariable courtesy in familles. But nowadays, over-

by the latter that the matter was recided that in view of the fact that and the careful consideration given weight mothers are senters to ceiving carnest attention.

CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUNDS

and as very few specifle complaints and also to the local press for their remain fat, Certainly that was true

had been received by the Associa- the

tion, there were no grounds for any further action.

On the recommendation of Association, the Botanical and Fores try Department replaced the poison- ous Oleander abrúba growing near certain playgrounds with more suit- abic plants. The unkempt condi- tion of the playground in Essex Crescent, Kowloon Tong was brought to the notice of the P.W.D. And assurances were received ihat the matter would receive attention; xe- cently the work of renovation hos been completed..

A donation of $100 was made by

to any matter pinced before them, unwilling as their daughters unfalling support and encourage- In the case of this mother and her daughter. The letter published be- Jaw tells what they did-

ment,

this Association to the Kowloon Win- the total amount ter Food Relief Fund, which was etc., collected from Members Was recently organised for the first time $550. In Kowloon, and doubiless this will meet with the approbation of all members,

TREASURER'S REPORT

"This is to say that I have reduced The Treasurer's report sinles that from 10 stone 3 lbs. to B stone 4 lbs. of subscriptions, :hrough taking half a teaspoonful of Kruschen Salts dally, and my mother has reduced from 11 stone 4 lbs. down to 10 stone 1 lb. We started in real earnest about three months ago. I cut out my cup of tea at 11 sm. and 3 p.m., and mother cut out just took daily walks. We will never be without Kruschen Salts In future, as they have proved a real remedy."(MỸɔ} M.D.

During the year. 35 new members joined the Association and 36 re- signed or were slruck off, having left

For another year, St Andrew's Kowloon, cfe, Total number of fried foods. As regards exercise, we Church Hall has been placed at the Members as at December 31, 1937, disposal of the General Committee was 330.

for all its meetings, and as a token

Total expenditure during the year

A donation of 150 was voted to the Chlidren's Playground Association of appreciation, a donation of 400 | was $004,60.

was made to the Church funds.

The balance in hand at December

this organisation has done much to provide playing grounds. In Hong- kong and Kowloon for the use of In conclusion, your Committee 31, 1937, was $740.00 against $994.59 poorer children.

again expresses the thanks of the in 1030. Association to those ometals of Gov- The grateful thanks of the Associa- ernment Departments and of Publie tien arð ogain due to Mr. John At the last annual general meet-Utility Companies with whom they Fleming, CA, who has kindly acted ing, the nuisanco caused by acro-have come

in contact during the as Hon. Auditor of the Accounts.

LOW FLYING ABROPLANES

Kruschen combats Ub cauro of fat by assisting the Internal organa throw of each day those waste.pre- ducts and polsons which, if allowed to accumulatę, will bo converied by fally the body's chemistry into Liesta,

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