At about half-past three o'clock yesterdsy morning a fire broke out in a large shop at the south-west comer of the junotion of Honan and Canton roads, on the very site of a foreign house which was destroyed by fire some five years ago. The alarm was at once given at the Central Police Station, and in a few minutes the Settlement was awakened by the ringing of the Fire Bell. At a quarter to four o'clock volumes of flame were insuing from every window of the corner ahop, and a fresh breeze from the southeast was carrying clouds of sparks across to the opposite side of Canton road. Hundreds of Chinese hurried from every quarter in the direction of the fire, seriously impeding the movements of the residents of the neighbouring houses who were endeavouring to save their property. The Bir. Pontold, Kept the crowd back and lice, however, under the directions of
maintained order. A few Mih-ho-loong oon arrived on the scene with their implements, and wore able immediately to render valuable service. Stretching across Honan road from the burning house to the opposite side was an awning of bamboos and matting. The flames quickly gained a hold on'this awning, and it seemed almost impossible that the fire could be prevented from spreading to the coast of Honan road. Three or four Mih-ho-loong, with their hooks and axes, managed, however, to demolish the blazing sun trade, and, having the wind in their favour, sccooded in staying the dames in this direction, Meanwhile the fire hod spread across Canton road, and, fanned by the breeze, was cating its way rapidly to the west, while the work of destruction had also begun in the houses to the south of the spot where the fire commenced, Within a very' reasouable considering that the lire broke out in about the deadest time of the night, the " Deluge" arrived on the scene and took up its station at the junction of Kiangeo Canton roads, receiving its water from fed by one of the Waterworks?
ly's hydrants. The " Victoria" ox tne up a few minutes later, and two stroama of water were soon playing on the flames from the east side, The "Torrent" and "Hongkew No. 2" soon afterwards arrived and took up their positions on the Yang-king-pang Creek, at the and of Honan road, where they wore joined by the French manual engine, Streams of water from five engines were then playing upon the fire, and its abroad i saatecy rly directions was soon checked. By an unfortunate lack of system, however, all the engines were at this time stationed to the windward of the fire, so that the streams of water followed up the flames instead of mi them. Along both sides of Canton road the fire ato its way for upwards of an hour and a half quite unchecked in the front, the efforts of the Mih-ho-loong and the Phoenix" Company to stay its progress by plying their hooks and axes proving totally ineffectual. About half way between Honan and Shantang roads, on the north side of Canton road, stands a large pawn-shop, surrounded on every side by very high fire walls, and it was hoped that this would check the spread of the flames to the north of Canton road. Unfortunately, however, almost immediately opposite were some shops in which a large quantity of Kerosene oil was stored, and as soon as the flames reached this quarter they spread from house to house almost as fast as the eye could follow them, sotting fire to the house on the east side of the pawn-shop, leaping into the air and mesting from both sides above the centre of the sttest, and carrying showers of sparks across the Shantung road. As a spectacle, the fire was one of the finest which has been en in the Settlement for a considerable time, though we taar it was not appreciated by the little knots of shivering wretches issue a notice that in consequence' of the who watched the flames rapidly spreading disarrangement, no pledges could be rein the direction of their hous Soon deemed for five days. The notice was read, after five o'clock, the " Torrent" shifted its by crowds of Chinese who appeared to be position on the bank of the creek to close practically interested in the announcement. ud after a slight The Firemen and the members of the delay caused by the native fireman having Mib-ho-loong and. Hongkew Hook and, neglected to feed the engine fire, two Ladder Companies worked, as they always streams of water were brought to bear on the do, with most unsparing energy, but there face of the flames. At this time it appeared was a decided Inck of organisation obimpossible that the flames should be stayed servable. throughout the whole of the before they reached Shantung road, and operations. Engines arrived on the scene: the Mih-ho-loong busied themselves in without reosiving any definite, instructions destroying the awning which stretched as to the positions they should take up, across this road in order that the fire by one officer were might if possible be prevented from spread-countermanded by another, There can be ing further east. The water playing on the little doubt that if some of the engine face of the flames, however, soon produced had been so placed that.water could have triking effect on the spread of the fire, been brought to bear on the flames from. and showed clearly the mistake which had the west at an earlier stage, the fire would been made in not bringing of the have been confined within narrower limita, engines to this point aten earlier stage. The We would suggest that the Chief Engineer mistake was at Jast recognised; the Hon, should be accompanied by a messenger kew engine soon followed the Torrent from each engine, in order that he may: up the Creek, anda little later the "Deluge" readily communicate with those in charge was brought round to a fire-well in the of the engines. upper part of Canton road, and four.
Among the accidents attending the fire streams of water, including two from the may be mentioned two, One was that of a "Torrent," mot the flames; in a few minutes French fireman who, while passing along an the conflagration was practically over, and ley-way, had a box thrown on the top of the engines had only to bus} is head. Fortunately, his brass helmet,' selves in extinguishing the burning aébris, which was crushed in by the blow, saved The engines wore kept at work for some his head, The other was the case of hours longer, but all left before nine Mihi-ho-loong who had some faming matter o'clock, some Chinese fire dropped over him from a window. behind and flooding the debi other fireman who was wet through rushed from the hydrants, this being the first fire up to him and put out the burning eubat which the Waterworks Company's apstance. Rumours were in circulation antong phanoes have been brought into use, the Chinese during the day to the effect. During the time that the fire was raging, that one or two persons had lost their lives: the hydrants were used to keep the firoin the fire. The ramoura ate, however, supplied with water, but at this time and is there was not sufficient force to allow of ey are falco, the water being thrown on the flames His Worship Chen, owing to directly from the hydrants, Later on, tions made to him by the Chinese, cal however, when the water had been turned upon Mr, Penfold Iaat night, and asked on to its full force, the fireman were able, him if he could not get a fire engine to by means of hose fastened directly tothe hydrants, to throw water fully as high and play on the ruins which were smouldering, jar reporter visited the locality at nine. as far as they could with a manual engine. o'clock and found a dense volume of smoke The supply of water thoughout was issuing from the ruins, while the fire was abundant. burning brightly in quite a number of ficiently subdued places, As a temporary measure, Mr, ion being made, it Penfold set the Louza Station engine to lat in all sixty-two houses had work and then communicated with the boon destroyed—thirty-five on the south authorities to get a side of Canton road and twenty-seven on the burning debris, the north. The houses were, for the most The fire having occurred, the Municipal part Chinese-owned, but treland belongs to Council ought to make uso of the oppor-foreigners, The Insurance Companies cipally interested are the Royal, the North unity to arrange about widening Canton British and the China Fire, The last-named suffered Messrs.
ibb, Livingston & Ca. that the Office is only interested to the extent of Tls. 850, and the actual loss would in ig all probability not amount to half that sum, The fire is said to have originated ju an opium shop or a ten shop, and itis reported to have been a result of the practice of fumigating rooms with charcoal. Nothing, however, is known with any certainty as to cause of the conflagration. Fire-walls, which, as a rule, are of great value in checking the spread of fires in the Settlement, proved in this case for ti most part unavailing, the high wind carr ing the flames over their tops and. setting light to the houses on the opposite side, Phero was, however, one striking exception to this rule, On the north side of the rond stood a large pawn-broking establishment, to which we have already referred. This building was surrounded on every side by very high fire-walls, the doors being of iron. Although the flames completely encircled the building, and the houses on both sides and in front of it were totally demolished, pawn-shop remained entirely uninjured. Propristor did not, however, feel confi Of the safety of his warehouse; and made such preparations for the rem and security of the goods stored within that be was compelled subsequently. to SHANGHAI YACHT CLUB, 'The Challenge Cup, valuo'Tla. 150, was preterited to the Club last year by, the Commodore W. V. Drummond, Esq., to be d, for under the following' conditions, The cup to be held by the wiener of the race until the following year, and #0 on from year to year, until some yacht owner has won it two years in succession, (with any boat which is his property) when it becomes his absolute property.. The name of the owner and yacht, winning each year, to be engraved on it till finally won. The handicap to be made by all the yacht owners, each omitting his own boat, "The race to led in July every year. The course to be from Shanghai up river and, round a stakeboat moored off Sakong Crook; and return, s distance of thirty miles. No entrance fee to be charged."
The first race for the Cup took place Inst August, when five yachts competed for the prize, audicapped as follow Undine allowed Louise
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.