( 21 )
A.-When I was at the Peak I took Mr. BIRD to see it, and we found the venti- lation under the floors was not thorough. The openings existed only on two sides and they were not opposite each other.
234. Is it a wooden floor?
A.-It is a wooden floor raised a foot above concrete.
235. And thoroughly ventilated?
A.-Now it is, but at the time we went the ventilation was not thorough.
By Dr. Manson.
236. Have the coolies quarters been flooded?
A. Yes, once. I found the contractor had evaded making a catch water drain
he was supposed to have finished.
237.-Are there pools of standing water near your house?
A.-There is a stream which falls into pools one hundred feet from my
house.
238.-Do you never see water escape from a bank near your house?
A.--I have from the conduit. There is an escape of water, I don't know actually whether it comes from the conduit, but in the very rainy weather the bank is very sod- den and there are pools and accumulations of water.
239.-Have you never seen water lying in your garden?
A. Yes, the overflow from the stream I spoke of.
By Dr. Cantlie.
240.--Have you resided in Hongkong a long time?
A. Twenty-two years.
241.-During that time has West Point always had the reputation it has now?
A.-Never.
242.-Can you assign any reason for the present state of things?
A.-In my own case I consider going into a new house was a contributing cause, but the main cause was the earth-cutting, cutting that passage through the hill a little way from us and bringing the earth and laying it on the road.
243.-You are not bothered at your house with the smells?
A.-Not, at all, we are delighted with the climate.
244.-There are no drains at your house?
A.-No.
By Dr. Manson.
245.—And no one in your house has escaped fever ?
Some
A.-Not one. The whole of the servants have been changed except one. have come back again looking very emaciated, but I think we have lost trace of one, certainly of one and very likely two. They have gone away and are reported to be very ill.