It has been decided to purchase from the British Admiralty two motor launches, with a full range fof spare parts, at a total cost of Tls. 1,787.60," to be fitted up fire' floats, These vessels were purchased by the Admiralty. In 1917 and 1918, as part of
G$80,000 each. The length order for, some: hundreds, feet, beam 13 feet, draft 6 feet and height above water line 5 fect, and the construction is sound through-it. The engines in each are two "Standard 220 h.p., using a mixture of Kerosene and ud there October 21, 12.06° a.m, Chung Wha Book C 277 Bubbling Welt Road, (District Call)—The Bubbling' Well Division turned out on 'a verbal call and found a large matshed near the junction of Hart Avenue Roads a mass of flames. This afterwards proved to be used as a paper and timber godown in the compound of the Chung Wha Book Ca.
Considerable difficulty was experienced in reaching the fire owing to houses, boundary walls, gardens and bamboo fences which had to be negotiated. This done, the fire was soon under control.
The Sinza Division were also called and rendered assistance, as there was some risk of the main building being involved. An employee of the: Company, on hearing the alarm ed PP striking an article of furniture causing very serious in-Juries to one eye. Ho wns removed to Hospital in a grave condition, October 28, 1.51 pin., Shanghai Cotton Manufacturing' Ca. 90, Yangtezepoo Road (District Call).—This call was given by one of the Foreign Staff at ' Yangtszepoo Station, and the Division responded. On arrival it was found that the fire had a good hold in a godown on the Enst side of: the premises, the contents of which were cotton. Lines of have were laid through both doors in front, and after some difficulty openings were effected in the metal shutters covering the windows, and streams were played through the Intter on to the blazing cotton. Two turntable escapes and a large pump were ordered from Central, The former were used very effectively as water towers on the South side and ut the Southeast corner.
The Firemen were the intense heat, but eventually open igs were made in the roof and sides, which considerably relieved the situation, and after a gruelling task of about two hours the fire was hold and extinguished, being confined to the one building, which was damaged, as also was part of the contents, is also a for, lighting set, for easy starting. The space on board is ample for gear and crew's louty of In every respect the boats are considered to be admirably adapted for conversion into fire floats and capable of long and efficient service. 'The estimated cost of the pumps and necessary fittings is from Tie. 5,000 to Tls. 6,000 each, so that the total expenditure will' be only a fraction of the original cost of the vessels. Moreover, it is estimated that new boats specially bought and fitted up og fire floats would cost not less than Tls. 120,000 each.
The small motor boat recently purchased will be sold at cost price, and the two small pumps which were also purchased will be utilise ced on land equipment.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.