That in view of the danger from fire the practice of permitting the use of temporary race stands constructed of such inflammable materials as matting and bamboo be discontinued.
The accommodation required, in addition to that provided within the Hongkong Jockey Club enclosure, should take the form of suitable permanent buildings in which all inflammable material is eliminated as far as possible.
If owing to local conditions it is not found possible to act on the recommendations contained in the two preceding paragraphs and a continuance of the employment of matsheds as race stands is found to be absolutely necessary, then special precautions should be taken to ensure the safety of the public using the sheds.
The framing of the necessary regulations to render a repetition of the recent awful disaster impossible must rest with the Government, but we would like to draw special attention to the following obvious safeguards:
Necessity of leaving sufficient intervals between each shed to prevent, or at any rate retard, the spread of fire.
Confining the structures to one floor only and limiting the height from the ground at which that floor may be built.
Prevention of overcrowding.
Provision of sufficient exits.
Total prohibition of the use of oil lamps, naked lights and fires for cooking.
Attendance at the racecourse of firemen on duty with fire appliances ready for instant use.
Provision of a sufficient water supply to cope successfully and immediately with any outbreak of fire.
Further the duties of the several Government Departments concerned should be clearly defined especially with regard to:
The planning of the sheds.
The passing of the structures as conforming with all Government requirements.
Inspection of same while in use.
Steps to be taken to ensure the provision of an adequate water supply.
Enforcement of all regulations laid down for the guidance and control, in particular of the public using or the lessees of matshed race stands and in general of any contemplated assembly of people in a public place.
That the Government should initiate enquiry with the object of demonstrating and recording the physical properties of the materials used in matshed construction.
(sd) A.H. Barlow,
(sd) W.C. Jack,
(sd) J.H. Wallace,
Jury.
(sd) J.R. Wood,
Police Magistrate.
Hongkong, 12/4/1918.
Enquiry closed.
(sd) J.R. Wood,
Police Magistrate,
12.4.1918.