CH
HONG KONG
ANNUAL REPORTS 1950-1
FIRE BRIGADE
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ANNUAL
DEPARTMENTAL
REPORT
BY THE
CHIEF OFFICER.
FIRE BRIGADE
FOR THE
FINANCIAL YEAR 1950-1.
PRINTED & PUBLISHED BY NORONHA & COMPANY, LIMITED
GOVERNMENT PRINTERS & PUBLISHERS
OLD BAILEY STREET, HONG KONG.
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CONTENTS.
Paragraphs
FIRE AND OTHER OCCURRENCES
CAUSES
1
6
7
CASUALTIES
8
9
-
10 11
STAFF
APPLIANCES AND EQUIPMENT
12 - 17
18 19
-
FIRE BOATS
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
STATIONS
HYRANTS AND WATER SUPPLY
FIRE RISKS
INSPECTION BRANCH AND FIRE PREVENTION
AMBULANCE SERVICE
AUXILIARY FIRE SERVICE
RESCUE SQUAD
AUXILIARY FIRE SERVICE & RESCUE SQUAD TRAINING
DEPOT
AWARDS
+
COMPETITION DRILLS
TRAINING
GENERAL
CONCLUSION
ANNEX I
ANNEX II
ANNEX III
Fire Brigade Department, Hong Kong. Number of fire calls attended and Estimated Monetary Losses by Fire, 1st April 1950 to 31st March, 1951.
Stations and Plant at 31st March, 1951.
Summary of Ambulance Calls.
ANNEX IV Monthly Summary of Inspections.
20
21
22
23 27
-
28 29
-
30
►
33
34 36
37 - 40
41
42 43
-
44 45
46 47
-
48
49
50
51
FIRE AND OTHER OCCURRENCES.
1. Calls received by the Brigade during the year amounted to 661 as against 583 for the preceding year. Classification of the calls are as
follows:
Fires
(a) Electrical:
89
(b) Oil:
44
(c) House:--
144
(d) Chimney:
85
(e) Miscellaneous: --
50
(f) Cars, etc.: ----
23
(g) Grass & Undergrowth:-
66
(h) Rubbish:-
20
(0) Ship:
25
()
Aircraft:-
3
549
False Alarms
With Good Intent:
Malicious:
2228
24
29
53
Special Services
Landslides, House Collapse,
etc.:-
59
59
Total:
661
Estimated Fire Loss: $2,122,901.
2. Brief details of serious and fatal fires during the period under
review, are:-
22. 4. 50.
19. 5. 50.
10, Burrow Street, Wanchai. A four-floor building, used as an engineering workshop and dwelling, severely damaged by fire. The cause of this fire was due to carelessness by allowing a naked light to come in contact with paper decorations.
30, Hop Yick Street, Yuen Long, New Territories. A two floor brick building, used as a grocery shop and dwelling, severely damaged by fire smoke and water and collapse of roof and upper floor. The fire started on the ground floor near the staircase leading to the upper floor. The highly
-
1
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24.10. 50.
28.11, 50.
4. 12. 50.
17.12. 50.
16. 1. 51.
combustible nature of the goods stored in the shop, which included illegally stored oils, matches, etc., greatly added to the fierceness and rapidity of the fire which soon gained a firm hold of the upper floor by way of the staircase. The first floor being constructed entirely of wood soon collapsed, bringing with it a large section of the roof. Eleven persons perished in the fire before arrival of the Fire Brigade and another died in hospital from the severe burns after being rescued from the building. The loss of life was due to all the windows on the upper floor being heavily cross-barred and an iron grill door, the only other means of escape, being securely locked. Escape by the internal wooden staircase was impossible. The cause of this fire is unknown.
Un-numbered House, Liu Pok Village, Lok Ma Chau, N.T. A single-storey brick dwelling destroyed by fire. One Chinese woman succumbed whilst being removed to hospital. The cause of this fire was due to a naked light being dropped or thrown into a heap of straw.
20, Catchick Street, Kennedy Town. A two-storey building covering an area of about 240 x 40 feet used as a godown, the contents chiefly rattan, paper and miscellaneous goods, severely damaged by fire. The Brigade were on watch at this fire for approximately 18 days. This was due to the large quantity of goods compressed into the building and the dangerous nature of the external walls. The fire was quickly surrounded with fire jets and the efforts of the Brigade were successful in preventing it spreading to the adjoining property. The cause of this fire is so far unknown.
Li Uk Village, Cheung Sha Wan, Kowloon. A large number of squatter houses covering an area of approximately 1,000 × 500 feet, severely damaged by fire. Information regarding the cause of the fire has been unobtainable, 136-176, Fuk Wa Street, Shamshuipo. A reinforced con- crete 2-floor building, covering an area of about 60 × 75 feet used as a torch-making factory, severely damaged by fire. The cause was considered to be due to foreign matter accumulating in the dust extraction plant of the polishing machine.
Fa Hui Village Squatter Area, Boundary Street, Kowloon. A large number of squatter huts covering an area of about 300 × 100 feet completely destroyed by fire. An invalid woman aged 61 lost her life. Cause of fire was due to a kerosene stove being accidentally overturned,
2
16. 1. 51.
6. 2. 51.
11. 2. 51.
4. 3. 51.
3.
Grampian Road Squatter Area, Kowloon City. A large number of squatter huts and contents, covering an area of about 400 x 300 feet were destroyed by fire. The cause of this fire was due to sparks from a chatty fire igniting a quantity of waste paper.
5, Elgin Street, Victoria. A building of 4 floors used as a joss paper shop and dwellings severely damaged by fire, part of roof and rear section of building collapsed. Cause unknown.
Tung Street at junction of Lower Lascar Row, Victoria. One building, No. 8c was involved in the first instance. Due to the age of the property the fire gained a firm hold, spreading from No. 8c to No. 10, then to Nos. 8B, 8A and across Tung Street to the facing houses. During fire- fighting operations Nos. 8c, 8B and No. 10 buildings col- lapsed, with no loss of life or injury. The cause of this fire cannot be ascertained.
As
75-77, Tong Mi Road, Mongkok. The third floors of two adjacent and communicating 4-storey houses used dwellings were severely damaged by fire. Eleven persons were rescued from the roof by the Brigade using a turntable ladder. One Police officer, one Station Officer from Kowloon and two civilians received slight injuries. The supposed cause of fire was due to a naked light coming in contact with petrol vapour whilst filling a pressure lamp.
The Brigade also attended 3 aircraft crashes during year, i.e.,
(a) 28. 8. 50.
the
A Catalina Flying Boat, PK-AKR, belonging to the Netherlands Petroleum Co., crashed into the sea near Channel Rock, Kowloon Bay. All five occupants of the aircraft were rescued by the Airport rescue launch, and the aircraft beached.
(6) 26. 9. 50. A Royal Naval single seater fighter plane crashed at Fanling whilst on combined manoeuvres with the Military, the pilot of the plane being killed.
(e) 11. 3. 51.
A Pacific Overseas Airliner (Siam) Ltd., passenger plane, crashed on Mount Parker shortly after taking off from Kai Tak Airfield, and was completely destroyed with a loss of 26 lives.
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4. There has been during the year a considerable increase in the number of chimney and electrical fires. The latter may be due to the heavy rains during the year.
5.
Miscellaneous fires include, for the most part, those fires involving chemicals and other such substances that cannot be placed in other categories.
6. Ship fires include all marine craft; during the year none of this category have been rated as serious, only minor fire damage being recorded.
CAUSES.
7. For the most part the cause of fires may be referred to as due to negligence or carelessness, especially with regard to oil, house, chimney, and to a certain extent miscellaneous fires. Fires involving paper decora- tions, fireworks, joss sticks and clothing; welding torches and soldering irons being used in close proximity to oil; acids and dangerous chemicals badly handled, these were to a large extent the main causes.
CASUALTIES.
8. A total of 20 persons lost their lives at fires before the arrival of the Fire Brigade and one person was reported missing, an increase of 1 over the number of last year. The Brigade rescued 11 persons from burning buildings.
9. Special services were rendered by the Brigade for house collapses, landslides, drowning, leakages of dangerous gases, etc. A total of 41 persons lost their lives in this category while 23 were rescued by the Brigade personnel. Loss of life is accounted for as follows:
Landslides: ---
Drowning:
Explosion:
House Collapses :--
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STAFF.
10. For some considerable time the Brigade have been carrying on with a shortage of Fire Officers owing to the retirement of two expatriate officers i.e. Mechanical Engineer E. F. Brown and Station Officer C. C. Caynes. Mr. S. A. Dale, G.I. Fire E., and Mr. J. Milner, G.I. Fire E., were
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appointed Station Officers.
ARINE DEPARTMEN!
Two further vacancies still exist, one in the Station Officer's rank, and one as Mechanical Engineer; the Brigade is finding it extremely difficult to fill these posts. Recruitment in all other ranks, made locally when vacancies exist, continues favourably and prac- tically full strength is maintained.
11.
Station Officer Wong Wai Tsoi was selected by the British Council with the approval of the Government to further his studies in fire fighting and prevention in the United Kingdom. Whilst overseas he underwent a course in Civil Defence and rescue work and obtained the required diploma. During his sojourn in the United Kingdom, Station Officer Wong Wai Tsoi was granted facilities to visit principal fire brigades including that of London. He also visited many fire engineering firms. and was able to gain valuable instructions and knowledge in firemanship and fire fighting.
APPLIANCES AND EQUIPMENT.
12. All fire appliances and equipment have been overhauled, tested and maintained in efficient and good order. One Dennis fire engine and one tender were completely rebuilt and are now very efficient fire-fighting appliances. Ladders and smaller equipment have been constructed by the work shop staff and placed in commission where and when necessary.
13. Following the approval of the Finance Committee, an indent was placed with the British General Electric Co., Ltd., through the Crown Agents for the Colonies, for the supply of a V.H.F. P.M. Radio Telephone network for use on mobile fire appliances and fire boats. Installation work will commence as soon as the equipment is received.
14. Five sets of Proto Breathing Apparatus and two Novita Resuscitation Sets were ordered and received during the year. This equipment will be a valuable aid in rescue operations and the saving of life.
15. In connexion with the Civil Defence scheme and to augment the existing fire fighting resources, an order for the supply of 4 diesel high- performance fire engines and 20 trailer fire pumps was placed with Messrs. Merryweather & Sons, Ltd., Greenwich, England. The pumping capacities of these appliances are 1,000 and 500/600 gallons per minute respectively.
16. To provide better fire cover for the Peak District where some roads and bends are inaccessible to the Brigade's major fire appliances, a 15 cwt. lorry was converted into a fire tender. This tender, known as F.B. No. 11, is equipped with a trailer pump and ancillary equipment and has proved to be an efficient unit, after extensive road and other tests.
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17. The Brigade also eagerly awaits the arrival of the new turntable ladder/pump which has been on order for a considerable time. This unit together with the new fire boat will greatly strengthen and be valuable assets to the fire fighting apparatus now in the Service.
FIRE BOATS.
18. Owing to the fire hazard existing in Aberdeen harbour with the floating restaurants and fishing crafts, a small landing-craft type vessel has been converted into a fire-fighting unit by installing two light trailer pumps on her deck, and placed in commission in Aberdeen harbour. This unit is in addition to the land station in Aberdeen.
19. Authority has also been granted for the construction of a new powerful fire boat, the plans of which have been approved with the co-operation of the Marine Department. This unit is now awaiting essential mechanical parts from Messrs. Merryweather & Sons. A small fire boat is being built to replace the small landing-craft type vessel con- verted into a fire fighting unit and stationed at Aberdeen harbour. It is hoped that construction work will be completed in December, 1951.
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM.
20. The 100-point A.T.M. close circuit non-interference Fire Alarm System was put into commission, with the exception of the points intended for the Kowloon Fire Station district. It has been decided to defer the installation work pending the erection of a new Kowloon Fire Station.
STATIONS.
21. Approval has been given by Government for the erection of a new Kowloon Fire Station at the junction of Prince Edward and Tong Mi Roads, plans of which have been completed. It is hoped that the building will be completed within the next financial year.
22. In order to cope with the fire risk arising from recent develop- ment and expansion of the Tsun Wan area, New Territories, a trailer pump with three firemen has been posted there. Temporary housing facilities for the equipment and personnel were provided by the Residents' Association pending the construction of a Sub-Fire Station, which has been approved by Government and will be constructed during the next financial year.
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HYDRANTS AND WATER SUPPLY.
23. Fire hydrants have been inspected quarterly and all defects reported to the Water Authority for repairs to be effected.
24. The total number of hydrants is now 482 pedestal and 1,142 ground, an addition to last year of 22 pedestal and 11 ground which have been newly installed.
25. Water restrictions during the year have caused little incon- venience to the Brigade. Arrangements made with the Water Authority for the provision of turncocks during the restriction hours have proved satisfactory.
26. Static water tanks of various capacities ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 gallons have been constructed in advantageous positions on the island and mainland. These tanks are filled with sea-water where possible and will be utilized chiefly for water-relaying when water mains fail.
27. The sea-water main installation that existed before the war was rendered unserviceable during the Japanese occupation of the Colony. Owing to the great advantage of this installation authority has been granted for the system to be re-instated. The required equipment has been ordered and the work will be commenced when equipment is available.
FIRE RISK.
28. Although careful arrangements and fire-fighting plans have been made to combat squatter area fires, they still continue to give rise to anxiety in the Service. While referring to these areas, statistics show that danger also exists from landslides, in which many persons lost their lives as well as property.
29. Great risks also exist with regard to areas where the distance between houses and the width of streets do not constitute a sufficient fire break. An instance of this is recalled by the recent Tung Street fire where 7 buildings were involved on ali four corners of Tung Street and Lower Lascar Row. Buildings in areas such as this also provide difficul- ties to the Brigade in extinguishing fire owing to the impossibility of adequately surrounding the building or buildings involved with water jets and thus preventing a spread of fire. For the most part these conditions only exist on the Island.
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INSPECTION BRANCH AND FIRE PREVENTION.
30. The Inspection Branch of the Service continues its activities in fire prevention and precautions. Altogether 6,820 inspections, an increase of 1,211 on the previous year, have been made during the year under review, and this number is continually on the increase as more applica- tions are made and regulations enforced.
31. Legal proceedings against 385 contraveners of the regulations, as contained in the,
(a) Dangerous Goods Ordinance No. 1 of 1873,
(b) Miscellaneous Licences (Timber Stores) Ord, No. 25 of 1933,
(c) Celluloid and Cinematograph Film Ord. No. 23 of 1923.
were made, and convictions were registered in all cases with fines totalling $76,565 with confiscation in some cases of the goods illegally stored.
(Note: The number of cases exceed last year's figure by 198)
32. Fire hydrants and fire-fighting installlations on Government and private property were regularly inspected and tested, repairs and improvements being recommended where necessary.
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33. Drills by regular members of the Brigade were given to the staff of the various Government departments and hospitals. Instructions were also given in the use of fire-fighting apparatus installed for attacking fires in their incipient stages.
AMBULANCE SERVICE.
34. The statistics given in Annex III of this Report show a great increase in the number of ambulance calls, patients carried and mileage run. The Fire Brigade undertakes accident cases only, removal cases being the responsibility of the Medical Department.
35. The amount of increase is much on a par with that of last year, and the fire ambulances operated by the Brigade may shortly be insufficient to meet requirements.
36. The increase in the population of the Colony, and the number of Special Service calls, are suggested as reasons for the increased demand on this Service. The mileage covered was 39,384 or 8.1 miles per call.
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AUXILIARY FIRE SERVICE.
37. The Auxiliary Fire Service, being a branch of the Essential Services Corps, was formed during the year. Enrolment into this Service has progressed steadily and the strength now stands at 350 members. There are many vacancies in senior posts of Station Officer and above, and of Watchkeepers, and enrolment for these posts still continues to be slow, the policy being to enroll only those with previous experience or who have the ability to hold such posts.
38. Training has been greatly improved with the temporary second- ment of an expatriate officer as Training and Enrolment Officer to the Auxiliary Fire Service and it is now considered that at least 50% of the Service is highly efficient and can be relied upon to perform excellent work in an emergency. Lectures have been delivered to permanent and auxiliary officers by expatriate officers of the Service. These lectures were highly appreciated and valuable knowledge gained. Training con- tinues on four evenings each week, Friday evenings now being allocated to an Officers' Class.
39. Equipment, ordered under the Civil Defence scheme, has been slowly arriving for this Service and it is hoped that on arrival of the new trailer fire pumps, the auxiliary Fire Service will be able to operate as a valuable unit in all emergencies.
40. During the year under review, several members of the Auxiliary Fire Service have been congratulated and thanked by the Chief Officer, for services rendered in many of the large fires that occurred.
RESCUE SQUAD.
41. The Rescue Squad will operate as a separate unit to the regular and Auxiliary Fire Service, enrolment and training having recently com- menced under a regular Fire Brigade officer.
AUXILIARY FIRE SERVICE & RESCUE SQUAD TRAINING DEPOT.
42. A section of the Arsenal Yard, formerly used by the Vegetable Marketing Organization, has been completely renovated for training auxiliary personnel. An imitation derelict house has been constructed with other erections for demonstration purposes, for the Rescue Squad.
43. A telephone has been installed in an Auxiliary Fire Station at the Depôt and with the advancement of training it is hoped that an Auxiliary Fire Squad will man the Station and operate with the regular Service during week-ends.
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AWARDS.
44. An official visit to Fire Brigade Headquarters was made on the 3rd July, 1950, by Mr. J. F. Nicoll, C.M.G., Officer Administering the Government. During the visit His Excellency presented the following officers and men with the Colonial Police and Fire Brigades Long Service Medal:-
Divisional Officer, R. H. J. Brooks
Station Officer Chak Shing Tsik Sub Officer Tso Kwok Fai
Fireman No. 185 Liu Fai
No. 151 Yik Yuk
J}
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No. 156 Ngo Chiu
No. 181 Ng Sang
**
*
**
A
No. 195 Ho Mo
No. 196 Leung Shing
No. 199 Chan Ko
No. 200 Pun Tsu
>
*
No. 212 Pau Ching
*
No. 242 Chung Nam
No. 244 Chan Yam
No. 246 Lam Fu
No. 250 Fok Han.
45. Directly after the presentation His Excellency witnessed a fire drill display given by members of the permanent staff of the Brigade.
COMPETITION DRILLS.
46. With a view to boosting the morale of the members and increas- ing the efficiency of the Brigade, the Annual Competition Drills which were held in pre-war days were resumed. The Competition Drill con- sisted of the following:---
(1) Motor Escape Drill
(2) Motor Pump Drill
(3) Trailer Pump Drill.
47. The competitions were very keenly contested and the results highly satisfactory. The winning teams, all from Terminus Fire Station, were awarded with trophies generously donated by the Fire Insurance Association of Hong Kong, the Chinese Insurance Association of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Chinese Godown Owners Association and D. H. Blake, Esq., O.B.E.; cash prizes were awarded from the Brigade's Fine Funds.
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TRAINING.
48. Efficient working requires primarily a sound body of operational officers and men, who are at all times keen, reliable and well versed in the handling of up-to-date fire appliances and equipment, also in the applica- tion of modern fire-fighting methods. Changing aspects of industrial production, the temporary embargo on export goods, and the storage of goods, always present problems to the Brigade.
49. General training of Brigade personnel has continued throughout the year. This is a very important part of Fire Brigade organization, as it is only by constant drills, plus experience at fires, that a fireman can hope to achieve efficiency.
GENERAL.
50. I append hereto the following:-
I. Graph showing number of fire calls attended and
estimated monetary losses by fire.
II. Station and Plant.
III
Summary of Ambulance Calls attended.
IV.
Summary of Monthly Inspections.
CONCLUSIÓN.
51. I desire to place on record my sincere thanks for the ready help and co-operation to the Fire Brigade by all heads and officers of other Government Departments.
80th June, 1951.
11
W. J. GORMAN, A.M.I. Fire E.,
Chief Officer, Fire Brigade.
12
S
CALLS.
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
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ANNEX
FIRE BRIGADE DEPARTMENT. HONG KONG, NUMBER OF FIRE CALLS ATTENDED AND ESTIMATED MONETARY LOSSES BY FIRE, 1ST APRIL 1950 TO 31ST MARCH, 1951
Calls attended Monetary losses
....
=
DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS REFERENCE NO.G.171/317.
Thousand
Dollára 700
600
500
2:00
300
200
-100
Apr.
May
June
July
Aug. Sept.
Out.
Nov. Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar
1
13
ANNEX II.
STATIONS AND PLANT AT 31st MARCH, 1951.
PLANT
NN
STATION
Motor
Pumps
Motor Escapes (with
Turntable Emergency
Ladders
Trailer
Fire
Ambulances
Tenders
Pumps
Boats
pump)
HONG KONG:
Central Eastern Western
Shaukiwan Aberdeen Aplichau
King Shan Wharf
KOWLOON & NEW
TERRITORIES:
Kowloon
Terminus
Public Square St., Pier
Yuen Long
Tai Po
Cheung Chau
Tai O
Sai Kung
Sheung Shui Tsun Wan
Total
NW
2
++
1
1
-
N
~ | |
THE LO
I
1
1
1
1
1
-
1
TN
2
7
6
2
3
29
3
7
ARINE
?
* LIBRARY
Month
ANNEX III.
SUMMARY OF AMBULANCE CALLS.
No. of Calls
No. of Patients
Miles Run
April,
1950
359
394
3,183
May.
+7
455
475
4,067
June,
+
438
462
3,575
July,
**
430
443
3.438
August,
**
426
422
3.442
September,
H
384
388
3,088
October,
..
390
387
3.108
November,
362
357
3,004
December,
408
412
3,238
January, 1951
416
435
3,195
February,
++
388
362
2,956
March,
406
419
3.090
TOTAL:
-m
4,862
4,956
39,384
April 1950-March 1951
4,862
4,956
39,384
April 1949-March 1950
4,067
4,295
34.829
INCREASE:
795
661
4,555
14
TOTAL
ANNEX IV.
MONTHLY SUMMARY OF INSPECTIONS.
April, 1950
May, 1950
June, 1950
July, 1950
August, 1950
September, 1950
October, 1950
November, 1950
Garages
Theatres & Cinemas
2
9
7
8
6
6
24
1 Boarding Houses
Factories & Workshops
32
15
Eating Houses & Restaurants
Timber Yards & Storages
32
I
Buildings
སྒྱུལ།
16
1
5
9
11
11
1
3
2
2
30
29
5
8
160
68
I
High & Low Flash Inflamm-
able Liquids
93
120
138
Petrol Pumps
29
&
Kerosene Stored in Shops
72
71
Dangerous Goods in General
133
85
186
Offensive Trades
Fireworks Storages
Vernacular Schools
11
11
Fire Services Installations
Dancing Halls & Academies
Neon Lights & Advertising
Signs
Printing Presses Miscellaneous
2
5
HH
29
22
| g°eg|།2=
9
79
12
40
1
1
77
81
45
83 137
159
105
18727 845817818, [33
19
37
36
5
直
2
124
180
126
4
4
NO 1800 |
2
1
16
39
5
49
3
27
16
34
139
43
ག⌘||
27
3
11
83
3
18
26
17
2
133
29
18
18
123
95
X-81809 129
28
25
3
10
87
33
3
49
56
SKI B-X-TABON GABB
10
19
23
4
36
73
1
18
42
NONATA 22751950*
12
3
6
66
38
25
27
193
1
13
45
14
349
7
66
34
50
1,006
1
3
23
39
56
659
2
1
88
10
80
515
78
75
1,305
1
2
1
4
13
39
28
296
6
4
32
43
24
387
14
35
188
4
33
238
169
763
36
66
52
1.040
631
755
786
637 571
596
465
394
310
436 618
621
6,820
December, 1950
January, 1951
February, 1951
March, 1951
TOTAL