Until recently the Kulangsu, Municipal Authorities had no adequate equipment capable of dealing with serious outbreaks of fire. This deciency was clearly manifest on the occasion of the big fire in the autumn of 1983 when many buildings in a large and congested area were demolished by fire and the electrical Power house was put out of action. The Municipal Counc decided to take immediate steps to provide means of combating any similar serious outbreak. Regulations governing the storage of inflammable materials were enforced and. fire hydrant points "have been _1o-cated at intervals throughout thi areas served by the Amoy Water: works Ca, The Council has also pur chased a Temini Portable Fire Engine, consisting of a Flat gasoline engine, directly "coupled toa Tamint two stage water pump capable of pumping 110 gallons of water per minute at a pressure of 125 Ib. per square inch, For rapid transit through the narrow streets of Kulangsu the set is mounted on a two wheeled steel chassis with pneumatic tyres, and engine and pump together can. be Aifted bodily from the chassis when required. A thousand feet of inch hose with instantaneous couple ings and hand controlled nozzles as also been provided. In the making of these necessary purchases the Council was fortunate in obtaining the voluntary help of Captain H. G. Reed, a former secretary" of the Kulgansu Municipal Council and now deputy-chief of the Shanghai Muniel-(Pal Fire Department. The Council 4s now taking steps to complete their fire fighting scheme by the erection of a station outside the municipal headquarters "and the purchase of Jadders, axes and other accessories. It Is hoped to obtain the services of volunteer fire brigade, the police being responsible for the engine and equipment and for its conveyance to the scene of the fire. The complete scheme is estimated to cost $10.000.
Last week a motor-bus going north from Chuanchow was suddenly confronted by a group of bandits who attempted to hold it up. The driver, however, accelerated and passed the gang followed by a volley of bullets. The bus made good ils escape and fortunately none of the passengers: were injured. Shortly afterwards another bus approached and the bandits immediately opened fire. To their consternation, however, the second bus contained a party of soldiers who returned the fre and Killed two of the bandits before the gang was able to make good its escape, Outlying districts in West Fukien continue to suffer from the inroads of predatory bandits and the local Overseas Chinese have petitioned the government to send reinforcements complete the work of pacification In the South Seas there are, thousands of prosperous Chinese whose family connections are with South Fukien. A' visit to their ancestral home is often fraught with special danger on account of their reputed wealth, To provide for the "more adequate protection of such, instruc tions have been received from Nanking that persons returning from abroad who wish to travel in inland districts must register their names with the Bureau of Overseas Chinese Affairs and be provided with special passports.
Last Tuesday Amoy was the scene! of a daring day-light robbery when about midday a party of ten men entered the offices of the Hong Lam Trust Ca,, a local bank with Formosan connections, The men were farmed with revolves and seem to have been well organized as they immediately took up various strategical positions in the building. Driving out the customers and holding up the employees, they helped themselves from the safe and Ulls and are said to have made off with nearly $10,000 notes. The silver was left untouched being apparently too heavy. In making their escape they fired several shot which attention of an officer and two soldiers who immediately gave chase. Shots were exchanged and the officer was wounded, The gang then seaitered trid succeeded in making good ther The New Mays Great satisfaction is being expressed locally at the action of the Nanking Government in appointing Mr. Wang Kuo-pau Mayor of Amoy. The city has had no mayor since the overthrow last year of the regime fof the Nineteenth Route Army. For the past year Mr. Wang has been head of the Bureau of Public Safety in Amoy and his faithfulness and ability in office and tis work for the good of society have won for him. the respect of all sections of the com~ munity. Mr. Wang, who Is a native of Tientsin and was formerly slationed in Hangchow, studied in Germany and has travelled in Europe and in America. "He is a prominent member of the Amoy Rotary Club and is Chairman of the Executive Committee of the local branch of the Y.M.C.A. which has just inaugurated its tenth annual campaign to raise funds for carrying on its work.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.