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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 21ST JULY, 1894.
Under section 13, sub-section 7, of the Ordinance No. 24 of 1887-The Public Health Ordinance-the Sani - tary Board has power to make and when made to alter, amend or revoke Bye-laws with regard to the following
matter:-
"The closing of premises unfit for human habitation and the prohibition of their use as such." The Permanent Committee of the Board which has recently been appointed has within the last month closed nearly 400 houses on the ground that they are unfit for human habitation.
I should be glad if you will report to me why the Board has never, before the existing crisis came upon the Colony, exercised the powers which it clearly possesses and has for several years possessed in the matter to which I have referred.
Please lay this minute before the Board and have it printed in their "proceedings."
It was agreed that His Excelleney's minute be circulated to Members in order that they might have an opportunity of expressing their opinions on it.
The Plague.-The following questions, of which notice had been given, were addressed by Dr. HARTIGAN to the President:-
I. Have any special or other instructions been issued to the Inspectors of Nuisances since the commencement of the present epidemic calling their attention to section 37 of the Public Health Act, and desiring them to see that its provisions are carried out?
II. Have they during the above-mentioned period reported any cases of overcrowding under section 15 of the
•
· Standing Orders” issued for their guidance?
III. (a) Has any defect in the drainage or sewerage of houses Nos. 38 to 64, Queen's Road Central, or in the
houses in Stanley Street in rear of same, where cases of Plague have occurred, been reported ?
(b) Is there any serious defect in the drainage or sewerage of these premises?
IV. Is there any difference in the incidence of the present epidemic upon districts supplied by the Tytam or Pokfoolum reservoirs, that is to say, have districts supplied by the one suffered more than those supplied by the other, or have all been indifferently affected independently of the water-supply, both as regards its source and the quantity delivered?
The President replied.
The following questions, of which notice had been given, were addressed by Dr. HARTIGAN to the Chairman of the Permanent Committee :---
I. (a) How many Medical Officers are engaged on work in connection with the Plague under section 33 of the
Public Health Act? (Bye-law 4).
(b) What are the special duties assigned to each, and the dates of their entrance upon such duties ?
II. What steps, if any, are being taken to keep under observation the occupants of houses, which have not been
closed and in which cases of Plague have occurred?
III. What steps, if any, have been taken to prevent the removal of sick persons from one house to another, or their
departure from the Colony without notifying their illness?
IV. What steps are being taken to disinfect houses in which cases of Plague have occurred, but which are not closed how many such houses have been disinfected, what chemicals have been used, and, roughly, what quantity per house, and under whose supervision has such disinfection been carried out?
The Chairman of the Permanent Committee and the Captain Superintendent of Police replied.
The Plague.-A letter from Dr. CANTLIE, addressed to the Secretary, was laid on the table.
It was agreed that the letter be circulated to Members.
Mortality Returns.-The returns for the weeks ended the 23rd and 30th June, 1894,-which had been circulated to Members, and a minute on the circulating cover read-were laid on the table.
Dr. HARTIGAN drew attention to the number of deaths in Hawan and Taipingshan.
A discussion ensued.
It was agreed that the matter be allowed to stand over.
Drain opening near Kowloon Point.-A letter from the Honourable Colonial Secretary concerning an offen. sive smell said to emanate from a drain opening upon the foreshore near Kowloon Point-which had been circulated to Members, and the minutes on the circulating cover read-was laid on the table.
The Marking of Cattle.-A letter from the Honourable Colonial Secretary accepting the Board's suggested amendment to a Draft Bill entitled An Ordinance to prohibit the fraudulent affixing of certain marks to animals—which had been circulated to Members-was laid on the table.
Offensive Smells.-A letter from Mr. KENNEDY containing complaints concerning offensive smells in the neigh- bourhood of his Stables at Causeway Bay-which had been circulated to Members, and the minutes on the circulating cover read-was laid on the table.
A discussion ensued.
The matter was referred to the Acting Superintendent for a report.
Small-pox.-A notification of a case of small-pox-which had been circulated to Members-was laid on the table. Question.—Mr. LEIGH gave notice that at the next meeting of the Board he would ask the President-
What steps, if any, are being taken to prevent the Praya Reclamation Works in front of the block from Ice House Street to Pottinger Street blocking the outlet to all the druins in a similar manner as was done in front of Bonham Strand West?
Adjournment.-The Board then adjourned till Thursday, the 19th day of July, 1894.
Read and confirmed this 19th day of July, 1894.
EDWARD A. RAM, Acting Secretary.
J. H. STEWART Lockhart,
President.