258
́DISASTROUS FIRE IN QUEEN'S ROAD,
BNORMOUS DAMAGE.
One of the most disastrous fires the Colony has sen for about twenty-four years broke out shortly after. 2 a.m. on the 29th ult. Beginning in a Chinese shop at 286, Queen's Road Central, it obtained such a complete hold and spread so rapidly that no less than forty one honses were utterly destroyed before the outbreak was decisively checked. The area covered by the fire is so extensive that it seems remarkable how the Brigade were able to cope with it at all; from Queen's Road, both sides, to the back of the buildings front ing Hollywood Road the scene is one of utter rain, and where the houses have not crashed down are to be seen but the blackened skeletons of what were once habitable dwellings. Lower Lascar Row almost to Jervoise Street has been practically eliminated, and Upper Lascar Row
:is in a condition almost as bad. The heat from the burning debris, heaped tons upon tous, was intense hours after the fire was overcome,
and must have been unbearable at the height of the conflagration, thus adding another serious difficulty to the already almost superhuman task of the firemen, who had to shield their faces as best they could from the fierce heat, and occasionally to turn the water from the hose upon themselves. From Queen's Road to Hollywood Road the frameworks of ruined buildings stand out in tottering relief against the heaps of burning material piled up on all sides, and in their extremely shaky condi- to be minimised or lightly regarded, for they may come tumbling down at any moment, with
tion constitute themselves a danger that is not
dire results.
It was about twenty minutes past two when the first note of alarm was sounded, and BOOD the Fire Brigade, under Mr. F. J. Badely, A.C.S.P., and Mr. A. Mackie, D.A.C.S.P., was on its way to the conflagration, which, on arrival, was seen to be so serious that the firemen and engine from Wanchai were summoned. One floating engine and three or- dinary engines were eventually got in readiness, and here the first difficulty presented itself The water, of course, was cut off from the mains, which were perfectly dry, and to have it turned on and the mains filled would occupy at least twenty minutes. In this dilemma the utility of the floating engine manifested itself. Lines of hose were rigged up all the way from the Praya, a distance of six hundred yards, and through these the floating engine pumped sea-water at the rate of three thousaud gallons per minute into large canvas tanks placed at the side of the three fire engines, which in turn discharged the water at a speed of three hundred gallons to the miante; working at the highest pressure, these engines pumped the water through two hundred yards of bose to a height of eighty feet. From these figures it will be seen that once a supply of water was obtained it was easy to keep contiguous streams pouring on the flames, but the operation occupied time in its performance, and quite half-an-hour elapsed before the actual fight against the destroying element commenced. By that time, fauned by a vigorous wind, the outbreak had assumed alarming proportions, and nothing but patient, watchful vigilance and the utmost persistence in the prosecution
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
The house adjoining was gutted, and the pawn- shop was only saved by the playing of two jets of fresh water on the premises. Had the fire spread in this direction, it would probably have of reach of the fire engines, in which event the included the Taipingshan district and been out result can readily be imagined. As it was, forty- of the latter damaged beyond repair. A list of one shops and hous's were demolished and four
Road Central Nos. 280 to 290, and 292 and 294, these shops and houses shows that in Queen's were gutted, whilst No. 279 was partly destroyed. Eleven houses in Lower Lascar Row were rained-Nos. 1 to 8 and 12 and 14, whilst No. 9 suffered serious damage. In Upper Lascar Row fourteen houses were destroyed Nos. 1 to 1; No. 16 also suffered, but to a less ex tent. In Ladder Street the damage was confined to three dwellings, Nos. 2, 4, and 6, all of which were burnt out; No. 22, Circular Pathway was partly damaged. It is a remark able fact that not a single injury was sustaine the inhabitants of the affected area clearing out in time.
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[April 7, 1902.
THE HEALTH OF HONGKONG.
In the course of the day ending at noon on the 31st ult, the fourth case of plague this the victim, a Chinese, being found dead in year was discovered in No. 13 Health District, Shaukiwan Road.
During the past week, 17 cases of cholera were reported in the Colouy, 11 in Victoria, and case imported from Canton, while 6 of the 6 in the Harbour. There was one European Chinese cases were on the ss. Hong Moh.
reported last week were:-5 of enteric fever, The other instances of communicable disease the sufferers being 3 Chinese, one Japanese, and oue American from the Monadnock; and 5 of small-pox, all Chinese and all fatal Four of the latter were in the City limits.
which steamer
The statement that the Hong Moh, on board cholera has developed, has departed for Anoy, her pot of destination, is incorrect. The Hong Moh is still in quarantine. we were informed on the 1st inst., and the date of her release is uncertain. The steamer, as already So far, the total damage has not been reported. is owned by a Chinese firm in Sing- estimated, but it must be considerably over spore, and put into this barbour on the 28th ult. on million dollars. Only a few insurance claims her way to Amoy with about 900 Chinese passen. have come in, and these show that the com-gers on board. She was flying the yellow flag, and panies chiefly concerned are Chinese. The Dr. Swan, who at once boarded her, learnt that shop in which the fire originated, No. six cases of Asiatic cholera had occurred, all of by a gold and silversmith; and was insured fected immediately, and the water on board was 286, Queen's Road Central, occupid them with fatal results. The ship was disin-
floors situated immediately above this shop the spread of the disease, Since the steamer's Chinese firms for $6,300; the two changed and other precautions taken to prevent
who has a claim on the Hung On Insurance broken out, making in all thirteen cases seven of were used by a Japanese piece-goods merchant, arrival seven more cases of the disease have Company for $11,500. No. 282, Queen's Road which have terminated fatally and six been re- Central is insured with a Hamburg firm for moved to the plague hospital at Kennedytown. $1,400, and No. 290 other firms to the extent of this sum
of $25,00; the London and Lancashire is accountable for $2,000, the Atlas for $2,000, insurance on No. 292, Queen's Road Central and a German firm for $8,000. The amount of
totals $25,00), and in this sum the Sun Company is involved to the extent of $8,000. No. 11, Upper Lascar Row has a claim for $1,000 on the Chan On firm, and No, 12 on the Union Assurance Society for $12,000. No other claims have as yet been received.
with
The cause tery, aud
with Chinese and
is that it originated in No. 236, Queen's Road Central A little light is thrown on its incidence by the statement of the people living on the floor above; they assert that they through the flooring, and believe that they were awakened by smoke and flames coming proceeded from the cock'oft of the silversmith's shop, where an oil lamp is said to have been kept burning.
The British steamer Cheung Chat,, which reported two Chinese dead' from cholera, has been released from quarantine and price. ded to Tientsin, Daily Press, 2nd April.
THE VOLUNTEERS AND THE CORONATION.
Ever since the idea was mooted of sending home a contingent of Volunteers to represent the Colony at the Coronation, a perfect whirl of ex- of the fire remains a mys-citement has in many instances marked the every- all that is definitely
known day life of members of the corps who have sent in their names in connection with the scheme, and rumours as persistent as they were unfounded were freely circulated. The latest is to the effect that something like thirty Volunteers have been double that number are certain they are in- selected to form the contingent, and about cluded in the selection; some have even gone the length of making preparations for their departure! To add another to the mauy con- tradictions that have already been published in this connection, it may be stated that on arrangements have been completed for the des- enquiry yesterday we were informed that no patch of the contingent, nor are there likely to be | for two or three days to come. The only other information obtainable was that about twenty names had been deleted from the list, but what names these were or what had been retained we unable to àscertain. Everything, apparently, is being kept quiet by the authori were ties, and beyond the assurance already given that nothing has been decided upon they at pre ent decline to go..
A strong force of firemen is still present on the spot, and streams of water are being poured blocked Queen's Road Central. Some collapses on the burning debris, which has completely of gutted houses have occurred, and others are
sure to follow.
men.
:
The present may not be an iuopportune mo. ment for saying a word on behalf of the firemen from the Police Force, and the men receive in regard to their pay. The Brigade is recruited only $9 a mouth extra for their services as fire- This sum they regard as altogether in adequate, and have already made representations to that effect to their superiors, who pointed out that as they were merely acting officials nothing could be done, at least for the present. Another objection is that whilst Ls policemen they are paid at the rate of three shillings to the dollar, as firemen they are paid in ordinary currency.
of a disheartening task was responsible for the victory that, after hours of weary work, ultimately rested with the firemen. About five o'clock their numbers were reinforced
by a detachment of the Naval Fire Brigade, under Commander G. W. Dawes, which gave all the aid possible; its efforts, however, were unfortunately limited through The Deutsch Asiatische Warte says:-The the incapacity of the naval fire-engine to pump
number of merchant steamers calling at the water to an effective height. By seven Tsingtao during the last quarter of 1901 o'clock it was realised that the desired check amounted to 56 of 60,769 tons. against 71 had been applied, and that all immediate danger steamers with 88,562 tons during the same of a further spreading of the outbreak was past. period in 1900. This decrease is explained A survey then became possible, and it was through the non-appearance of transport seen that the fire had covered an area of steamers which called at Tsingtao on their way quite two acres. This is the biggest outbreak to the north in 1900. For the first time the since 1878, when Pottinger Street, Graham French flag was represented at Tsingtao by a Street, and Cochrane Street were completely salg vessel of 1,454 tons. The Customs devastated, and burned steadily for a week. A Revenue for the last quarter of 1901 amounted pawnshop at the junction of Hollywood Road to Hk. Tls. 33,856.8.1.3 against 24,849.6.4.5 for and Ladder Street had a very narrow escape. I the last quarter 1900, an increase of 37 per cent.
DEPARTURE OF COMMODORE POWELL.
Commodore Francis Powell, C.B., R.N., left Hongkong on the 2nd inst. by the s.s. Empress of China for home after having been for two years in command of the Naval Dockyard here. He was accompanied by his wife and daughter, and a large gathering of friends attended the Com- party to the steamer to bid farewell. modore Powell has made himself very popular during his sojourn in the Colony, and leaves many well-wishers behind him. auspices great projects have been commenced in connection with the Dockyard: at the cere mony attending the inauguration of the work of the extension scheme he expressed regret, if we remember aright, that he would not be able to see the consummation of his labours! ~ But though he be denied that privilege, Commodore Powell has still the satisfaction of knowing that
Under his
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