CAB11-57-5 — Page 194

Page 194

Page 194

223

divided into three districts-Western, Central, and Eastern-the limits of which are fixed at the Harbour Office and Murray Barracks.

On the occasion of a fire, the locality is notified by three tolls of the bell for the Western, two for the Central, and one for the Eastern District.

The head-quarters of the brigade are at No. 5 Station in Queen's Road, Central, and in it are kept all the stores and the engines that are not located elsewhere. A certain number of European and Chinese firemen also sleep here, and the Assistant Engineer, who is responsible for the upkeep of the engines and appliances, is permanently located here.

The other and subsidiary stations are at the police stations at West Point, Wanchai, Yaumati, Shaukiwan, and Aberdeen.

There are also numerous places in different parts of the town where fire dispatch boxes are kept. These are barrows supplied with 300 feet of hose and all necessary appliances for at once making use of the street hydrants. They can be worked by one man, and can be multiplied indefinitely. They were specially designed for dealing with fires on the high levels.

In addition to the dispatch boxes, the brigade possesses four land steam- engines and one floating engine. It also possesses some manual engines which are kept in the various out-villages.

The brigade is so organized and distributed as to form an excellent nucleus for expansion in time of war, by means of civilian volunteers, to any extent that may be required, under the supervision of the Superintendent.

The naval and military establishments and barracks are in addition well supplied with their separate fire-engines, &c., which could be utilized in their immediate neighbourhood.

6. Enrolment of Civil Labour.

As previously stated, no difficulty is anticipated in procuring such civil labour as may be required-labourers, tradesmen, coolies, &c., who would be willing to work for Government if well paid. The local custom is to obtain them through native contractors.

7. Coast Defence Corps.

Under Ordinance 6 of 1893, the Governor in Council is empowered to raise a corps of Coast Defence Volunteers, in addition to the existing Volunteer Corps.

SCHEDULE XXI.

Proclamation.

By his Excellency

5

Governor and Commander-in-chief of the Colony of Hong Kong and its Dependencies, and Vice-Admiral of the same.

Whereas war having been proclaimed between Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen and

it is possible in the absence of our fleet that an attempt may be made by the enemy's squadron to surprise this port, and to requisition money and supplies; in such case bombardment will be accepted in preference to compliance, and the residents in the Colony are hereby informed that the effects of a bombard- ment are always much less than is commonly expected.

The British naval forces may be expected to afford early assistance. All necessary hospital and medical arrangements have been made. A careful system of patrol on shore and afloat has been organized.

[658]

3 M

>

Page 194

Page 194

Page 194