THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 23RD NOVEMBER, 1878.
563
There are a number of cases which it would be tedious, perhaps, to read, but I may mention that formerly in one place there were seventy pigs kept. I think there are pigs now in a reduced number. I believe also some of the houses visited showed that there were pigs not on the ground floors only but on the other storeys, and that numbers of them were kept under the beds of the Chinese, and that the water percolated from the top storey down to the lower. In many places throughout the town, too, there are wells. These wells in many cases have a foot and a half depth of water. They are in the close neighbourhood of sewers, sewers of the worst possible kind. That is the state of the town as described there. In 1873 the Honourable gentleman opposite (the Surveyor General), wrote:—
"An inspection of the Chinese districts discloses the phenomenon of a dense mass of people herding together in dark and ill-ventilated dwellings totally devoid of drainage, and where the house sewage, kitchen refuse, and sullage are generally kept standing inside each house in a tub from which is evolved an effluvium that would turn the stomach of a carrion crow. It is true that the vital energy of the occupants of such places is so lowered, and their olfactory nerves either so blunted or so supernaturally fortified against the offence as to render them callous about it, but notwithstanding, the germs of disease lurk there, and are being generated by a pernicious and revolting system which urgently demands reform."
The description is forcible, and in the present day is true in the main. Little has been done for the amelioration of the condition of these people. I have read the extract from the report on the Water Supply of Hongkong dated 1873. The water supply we know to be inadequate. In many parts of the town there have been additional hydrants put up lately, and the supply is better than it was, but the intermittent supply of water must always be bad. Some people get a sufficient supply, others do not. It is costly to the inhabitants. They have to carry it to a considerable distance, and many of them, I understand, suffer grievously from the want of an efficient water supply. Then, if we come to consider the state of our markets, I think we shall come to the conclusion that if the Colony has money to spend it would be better to spend it in improving them than either in extending the Gaol or building an unnecessary and, I believe, universally condemned new one. These points, the sanitation of Victoria, which of course comprises drainage, water supply, and I believe I may include markets, are in themselves so far more important than the Gaol question that I think I was justified in stating to your Excellency when we had that conversation that I believed the community of Hongkong would be intensely dissatisfied if the Gaol at Stone Cutter's Island were undertaken and the work executed. There is another matter which I beg to call attention to, as being one also that has been present to my mind for a long time as more deserving of attention than the Gaol. I allude to the Central School. The C which I am sure they feel proud c
education and its civilising influences. igo, and nothing done! Why is it thus
ool, I believe, possesses the confidence of this community. It is an institution be viewed as the centre from which Chinese boys are sent with a European gnored. The new building, long ago planned, the site for it cleared some years known that the present building is wholly unfitted for the number of pupils it has to accommodate. We are aware that the masters have suffered severely, some of them having contracted disease within its over-crowded walls that has carried them to their graves. I think it is well to be plain in this matter, because it appears to me it should be known if the
delay arises. It is said that the opposition
of a would be ecclesiastical dignitary has prevented the consummation of the hopes of the Colony with regard to education. Strange, if true, that from the source from whence we should hope for the highest knowledge there should be opposition to the rudiments of education. I have not much more to say, your Excellency, but I trust I have redeemed the promise that I would at this Meeting state the objections which I see to spending the money of the Colony upon either the extension of the present Gaol or the building of a new one. Much may be done, certainly, I believe, to reduce the number of prisoners that are within the Gaol. I don't want to go over again the ground of deportation, of whipping, and of all the necessary punishments, but whether they are approved of at home, or not, they are the only punishments that will suit the class of criminals that we have to deal with. We should hurl back on China the many who are attracted to this place by the clemency of our laws and the comforts of our prison. They come, not as honest men to earn their living; they come most of them to prey upon the Colony. We should get rid of them. I was glad to observe that your Excellency had reduced the dietary, I understand, notwithstanding the statement of your Excellency that it was suggested to you by some Chinese gentlemen, that it was a recommendation contained in a report of the Gaol Committee, and that it had been mentioned by others. Be that as it may, it is a move in the right direction, and I trust it will not be long until we hear of other changes. The Justices of the Peace have taken some interest in this matter of Gaol regulation and addressed a letter, which I have no doubt your Excellency is acquainted with, on the 2nd of this month to Mr. CREAGH, the Police Magistrate. With your Excellency's permission I will read the correspondence-
"HONGKONG, 2nd November, 1878.
"SIR,-We have the honour to request that you will be good enough to convene, and preside at, a special Meeting of the Justices to discuss various matters connected with the Gaol, especially the question of the necessity for its projected enlargement.
"If convenient in all respects we suggest that the Meeting be held on Friday, the 8th instant, at three o'clock in the afternoon.
"To C. V. CREAGH, Esquire, Police Magistrate."
"We
are, Sir,
"Your obedient Servants,
"W. KESWICK.
"H. LowcoCK. "H. H. NELSON. "F. D. SASSOON. "R. H. SANDEMAN.