68
H. Betton-Foster, Captain S. O. Boyd, R.A., Mr E. D. C. Wolfe, Mr F. G. Figg. Captain A. H. Hart-Synnott, General Staff, Major H. P. E. Parker, 120th Baluchis, Captain H. M. Beasley, R.A., Mr E. Cammings, Subadar Burhan Khau, zubadar Major Mukarrab Khan, Subadar M brab Shab, Jemadars Mir Kam- bia Kuan, Amir Khan, and Sardar Khan.
SERIOUS COLLAPSE AT THE HONGKONG HOTEL.
Since the awful catastrophes of last autumn nothing has stirre | Hongkong so deeply as the sensational collapse which took place on Aug. 1st in the Hongkong Hotel, but happily the event though it occasioned considerable alarm- Was not responsible for the same heavy toll of life. The disaster, for such it is, occurred shortly before six o'clock. At that time the betel is never particularly busy, most of the boarders being absent, and it was fortunate for those occupying the east end of the hot-l who were There were, how- away yesterday afternoon. ever, some Europeans and a number of Chi- nese in the part of the building which collapsed. So far as is known at present, none of the Europeans were kil ed, although a few received minor injuries. But fate was harder with the Chinese, several of whom were buried in the débris.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
The accident occurred in that part of the hotel situated in Queen's Road. The annex, it will be remembered, was juued to the main building by several bridgeways, leading from verandah to veraudah. and it WAS these
bridgeways and verandahs which suddenly
gave way, and crashed into the shop beneath The occupied by Messrs. Kuha and Komor. entire range of gallery extended the length of fire bedrooms, and it can be imagined that the débris and fallen
masonry must have weighed many tocs.
The exact cause of the accident is not known. There are many surmises and thenries, but it is not advisable to repeat them. What happened was that the joists supporting the structure already mentioned snapped close to the walls, only the bare walls of the aunex and the hotel being left.
Scarcely any warning was given of the impending disaster. These who were on the scene declare that an ominous creaking preceded a loud crash, and as they looked the verandahs sbook and all the structure within this well-
&
of
oul okers
I
not
a
¦
were
in their exer.
busy t'mo attending the wounded, assistance being forthcoming a little later from Drs. Mriot and Harston. The rescue parties
most indefatigable tions, and not a few of them risked th-ir lives in their +fforts to SAVE others. The Colonial Secretary, the Hon. Mr. F. H. May, was among the earliest arrivals and took an active part in direo ing operations. Other civilians in te botel lent a helping hand, and it was owing to their exertions, coupled with those of the other rescuers mentioned, that so may lives wers saved.
Gruesome sights were witnessed when the entombed victims were brought out. Most were dreadfully injured and some crushed beyond recognition. Up till a late hour last night the deaths reported were two, while the injured, all Chinese, numbered five.
Last night the front of the building was shored up by timbers erected under the super- intendence of the officials of the Public Works Department, and barricades were put up to keep the public out of the danger zone.
The damage to property was considerable. The valuable stock of Messrs. Kuhn and Komor was totally wrecked, and the entire stock in trade of Mr. Hoosain Ali was similarly ruined. The loss to the Hotel Company must be even more serious.
As can be easily understood, the collapse at the Hongkong Hotel ou Thursday evening formed the principal topic of conversation
on Aug, 2, but little remains to be added to oir previous report of the occurrence. The building has been shored up, aud yesterday the work of removing the debris from the ground floor was proceeded with. Beyon the reported three dead & the three injured, no further casualties have come to ligh, though it is believed that two men are still buried.
It is difficult to estimate the extent of the damage done, but the loss sustained by Messrs. Kuba and Komor is understood to reach six figures at least.
The interests of the Hotel have been seriously affected, but doubtless its reputation will be restored ere long to its original position. Already the shares have dropped $5.
The architects have surveyed the buildings as far as Mesrs. Caldbeck McGregor's pre- mises and Lave found the walls cracked.
The casualty list is as follows:-Dead, 3; seriously injured, 2; injured, 1: missing, 22,
THE DES VOEUX ROAD MURDER.
on
CHINESE MOB AND A KNIFE.
The Des Voeux Road murder trial opened August 2nd at the Magistracy before
were
Most of the debris has been cleared from the scene of the collapse at the Hongkong Hotel like enclosure collapsed. The alarm quickly; and the full extent of the building wreckage
while the residents in the spread, and
can now be appreciated. One of the two mis- immediats neighbourhood hurried from the siug bodies was
recrared
оп August 3rd building.
crowd large
in Messrs. Kulin and Komor's show room. quickly gathered. t the same time the The bend was so battered that recognition was police were promptly in attendance and impossible. took the necessary precautions, and long afterwards the fire brigade appeared
It was on the scene.
soon learned that number of people were eutombed, while others were imprisoned on the upper storeys and relief parties were promptly organised. It was seen that those on the upper floors were inmates of a dangerous prison from which the only means of release was the fire escape, and no time was lost in bringing apparatus on the scene. It was promptly run up to the first floor and a number of police caled the ladder and of disappeared among the ruins. Soon one them appeared and lifted a small Chinese girl on to the rail of the balcony, whence the, was conducted dowu The ladder to safety. Although very much frightened, she was not burt. This was the only person to be found on the first floor, so the ladder was raised to reach the second where a Mr. onnor, who is employed in the Vacuum Oil Company, was waiting. He also descended to the street and stited that he got on to the verandah just before the collapse, but believed that a number of Chinese were cut off witbin. Higher up went the ladder until the third floor was reached. From here, Mr. Ralphs of Queen's College came down from his unenviable position. He also had had a narrow escape, having just left the veraudali a few minutes before.
Meanwhile excavators were at work below in the ruined shop of Messrs. Kuhn and Komor from which several Chinese were dug out some dead, and others in
very exhausted condition. Dr. Moore, who lives in the hotel, was first on the scene, and h d an exceptionally
Mr. F. A. Hazeland. Five men, whose names Tam Pui (coolie). Li Sui Kai (bilermaker), Sit Fu (pinner), Hui Tin (cook), AR! Wau Hot Chi (coolie), were charged with the murder of Lo Pak, a foreman in the employ of Messrs A. S. Watson and Coy's Aerated Water Factory, on Sunday, July 21st, in Des Voeux Rad. Chief- Detective Hanson conducted the case for the prosecution, the defendants not being legally repressated.
months
Mr. Hanson, in opening, atated that the deceased had been employed for about twelve 85 foreman in Measra A. 8. Watson and Coy's Soda Water Factory. Oa several occasions he bad had trouble with some of the workmen, and in June he reported two men for disobeying orders, Mr. Puddepha subsequ ntly dismissing them. At the end of the month when they came to receive the money due to them. it W 18 apparent that they entertained animosity towards Lo Pak. Words pissed between them, and on. the 18th July two of the prisoners, with others. were outside the factory. A row between them and the foreman took place, but Mr. Puddepha went outside and stopped the fight, sending two of the men to the Police Station. Nothing further
↑ August 3, 1907. happened until the morning of the 21st altimo About 10 o'clock in the morning, when the. workmen were waiting to recommence work, they noticed the foreman approach from the west. Bofore he reached the factory he was surround. Lo Pak asked them ed by the acoused men, what they intended to do, because if there were to be any fighting he would give them in charge, Something was said about bating him but the factory employees came to his assistance and the others ran ‹ff. However the employe› a gave chase. Lo Pak singled out the second defendant and caught him near Prince's Buildings. A stroggle ensued, and the first defendant jumped out from und r the verandah, stabbed Lo Pak, and fled. Sergeant Moore lifted the dec ased and sent him to the hospital but he died on the way.
His Worship-The second man was hold- ing the deceased when the first man stabbed him?
Mr. Hanson-No it was rather that the deceased was holding the second man when he was stabbed,
His Worship-Has the knife been recovered? Mr. Hanson-Yes,
A workman employed in the factory gave evidence of what led up to the murder and to seeing the fatal blow dealt,
The bearing was adjourned,
REGULATIONS FOR MOTOR BOATS.
Not many weeks ago we pointed out the urgent need of special regulations for the motor boats now present in such numbers in the harbour.
The latest Gazette publishes the regulation made by the Officer Administering the Govern- ment-in-Council nuder Section 37 of the Mer- chant Shipping Ordinance, 1899, (Ordinance No. 10 of 1899, for the control of Motor Boats in the Waters of this Colony, this 25th day of July, 1907, as follows:
Table
Boats.)
E. (III.-Regulations for Motor
“Motor 1. In these Regulations, the term Boat" shall include every vessel not exceeding 60 tons, propelled by any mechanical power, however applied, except steam, oars, or sails.
2. The Regulations contained in Table E of the Schedule to this Ordinance, shall apply, as beretofore, to all Motor Boats in the Waters of the Colony, except the provisions relating to "Machinery and Boiler" in Par I, Rule No. 2, for which the following provisions are hereby
|
substituted :—
Machinery. (a.) That the machinery of the vessel is sufficiant for the service intended, and is in good condition. (b.) The time for which such machinery will be sufficient. (c.) That the engineer of the vessel possesses a certificate of competency as "Motor Engineer" from tha Harbour Master of Hongkong or such other certificate as may be recognised by him.
3. The following additions to the Regulations contained in Table E shall apply to all Motor Boats in the Water of the Colony :-(a) The examination for certificate of competency for engineers of motor boats (to be styled "Motor Engineers" shall be limited to the knowledge and management of the engines of motor boats. The several types of motors in the management of which each such engineer has qualifie i shall be noted on his certificate. (b.) It shall be law- ful for the Harbour Master in such specia! cass as he may think fit t isade a permit to any motor boat carrying a certificated motor engineer who also holds a master's certificate under the rule in this Table to be under way in the waters of the Colony in charge of such engineer only. Such permit shall be in writing and shall be signed by the Harbour Master and shall be subject to the conditions therein contained.
Provided always thất it shall not be necessary for any motor boat not exceeding 35 feet in length over all (and not plying for hire, to carry any certificated master or engineer.
We heard on July 29th, just before going to press, from a juryman who claimed good authority," that the Officer Administering the (lovernment had commuted the sentence on the four Indian murderers, recently condemned to death, to life imprisonment. We are some- what reluctant to believe this.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.