The Chief Officer, his Decem= hor Report, states During the month 70 calls were The only fire of importance during the month occurred on the 2th at 5.28 pam. when a call wax received to the Shanghai-Hongkew West Wharf at Pootung, Sections from Central _Statio turned out on the Brigade Fire Float and a detachment from Hongkew manned the Custor Float, while OMicers and men fron Yangiszepoo crossed the river on a private tug.
The fire had evidently been burning for some time before being reported by the look-out man in the Watchtower on Sassoon Building, after which it was necessary to ascertain the exact location before the Brigade turned out, and when the first float arrived a one-storeyed. corrugated iron godown, measuring, approximately 260 ft. by 100 ft was well alight throughout its entire length. Squads of men were at work with lines of hose from the ships' installations on 8.8. "Forthbank" and a tug owned by 'Messrs, Jardine, Matheson, lying' alongside the wharf, these being closed down soon after the floats were got to work.
The cargo in the godown wax composed principally of American press-packed cotton, of which ther® Were 5,674 bales, and the heat was so great that it was almost ime possible for the blaze to be tackled at close range. Jets were got to work on all sides and, ax soon ax possible, openings were made in the side of the godown, through which nozzles were worked on to the burning cargo.
The Brigude gained control of the outbvenk after about 33 hours? to the godownt in which it originated.
Emergency Ambulance Service.—' One hundred and ton lis wore received during the fouth, this being a record since the' me auguration of the service last January.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.