MAIN PURPOSE OF THE BLACK OUT WAS TO TEST THE MEDICAL DEFENCE SCHEME IN HONGKONG

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   THE MAIN PURPOSE OF LAST NIGHT'S BLACKOUT EXERCISE, the "Hongkong Daily Press" understands from reliable sources, was to test the newly organised Medical Defence Scheme. This is the first test of the Colony's Medical Defences, and it is believed the authorities concerned are satisfied with the results obtained.
   Chief centre of the medical defence operations was St. Paul's Girls School where both Hon. Dr. P.S.Selwyn Clarke, Director of Medical Services and Dr. J.E.Dovey, Supervisor and Training Officer of the Medical Defence Scheme, were seen directing operations as far as the removal and treatment of the injured was concerned.

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BOY SCOUTS AID

   In the exercise carried out last night, Boy Scouts rendered service as "casualties." The wholehearted and enthusiastic (???) in which these youngsters (???) into the spirit of (???) (???) made the scenes of ambulance activities very realistic indeed.
   Most of the cases in the First Aid area, controlled by the St. Paul Girls' School (???) (???) of burns, and inquiries made at other stations revealed that cases of burns predominated, indicated heavy use of incendiary (???) by the "enemy." There (???) apparently no cases of (???) tacks.
   Casualties were brought (???) the First Aid Post with amazing rapidity which reflects well of the high degree of skill and efficiency in which the ambulance men and nurses have been trained.
   The Government, in asking for the cooperation of the members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade in this First Aid Post Exercise which is the largest of its kind carried out in the Colony, brought the Brigade into cooperation with the A.R.P. wardens, the Sanitary Department Medical Supply Transport and Area Medical Officers gave an excellent display last night.

   Their sense of duty to the Colony having overcome their personal feelings regarding the strife in their camp, members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade turned up in fairly good numbers at last night's exercise, and the number of absentees were in no way big enough to affect the test exercise.
   While at one post one whole division was absent, representing about a quarter of the normal strength of that post, the average percentage of absentees at all fire stations was estimated at a total of approximately 20 percent.
   In this connexion it is learned that resignations are still being sent in by members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, although the threatened mass "walk out" appears to have been "washed out."