306
POTABLE WATERS.
7. Of the fifty-three potable waters analysed during the past year, ten were samples from the Pokfulam, Taitam, and Kowloon supplies. The remainder were mostly samples from wells in various parts of Kowloon and the City of Victoria forwarded by the Sanitary Board.
8. From the analyses that have been made of samples from the Kowloon service it is quite evident that residents in that district have now accessible a water supply of excellent quality. The service was inaugurated only about a year ago. The most recent analyses indicate that in point of organic and inorganic purity the results leave nothing to be desired.
9. The results of the analysis of samples from the Pokfulam and Taitam reservoirs indicate that these supplies continue to maintain their excellent qualities.
10. In appendix A to this report are set forth the results of the analyses of 40 samples of well waters. It will be observed that many are highly polluted. In some the evidence of pollution is not by any means marked. In considering the chlorine figures the situation of the well in respect of the distance from the sea must not be overlooked. Mention should be made of the fact that all these wells are shallow in the strictest sense. There is absolutely no provision for the exclusion of subsoil drainage. These so-called wells are, in the majority of instances, merely holes in the ground a few feet deep lined with loose granite blocks. They would not be incorrectly described as subsoil water■ catch-pits. On the analytical evidence alone it was not considered expedient to certify against many of the samples submitted: nevertheless, I am strongly of opinion that none but the most pressing considerations should suggest a recourse to any of the existing badly constructed wells in the crowded city of Victoria as a source of supply of water for dietetic purposes. It is highly probable if these wells be examined at some future time, and during a season with a normal rainfall, that evidence of pollution, sufficient to justify their condemnation will be forthcoming.
THE DANGEROUS GOODS ORDINANCES, 1873 AND 1892.
11. Ten steamers with petroleum in bulk arrived from Batoum during the year and discharged the whole or part of their cargoes. The 107 samples of oil forwarded by the Harbour Master were found to give off inflammable vapour at temperatures considerably above the 73° F. limit laid down in the rules and regulations made by the Governor in Council on the 7th of December, 1892, under these Ordinances which are restricted to petroleum imported in bulk only.
12. Under this heading allusion might be made to the examination of a kerosene oil lamp and sample of case oil made at the request of the Public Works Department, a number of accidents having occurred with lamps of a like construction and burning a similar oil. The kerosene was found to flash at 69° F., which, apart from a structural defect in the lamp impeding the escape of the products. of combustion, was sufficient to account for the accidents referred to.
table:
MILK.
13. Four samples of milk were submitted for analysis; the results are set forth in the following
February 19th,
20th,
25th,
"
"
Percentage by weight of
Solids.
Date of Analysis.
Non-fatty.
Fat.
Total.
Ash.
9.38
3.55
12.93
.62
9.19
4.08
13.27
.74
9.54
3.10
12.64
.71
9.19
4.20
13.39
,69
The first and second samples were from dairies in Kowloon; the third and fourth from a dairy in Hongkong.
14. These results demonstrate the excellent quality of the milk even as compared with the best dairy samples obtained in Great Britain.
15. The milk supplied under contract to the Civil Medical Department has been regularly tested by the Steward of the Civil Hospital at each morning and afternoon delivery. The results of these hydrometric examinations have been satisfactory throughout the year.
16. In some quarters an idea prevails that cows' milk produced locally is inferior in quality to the milk of cows fed in England. The investigations conducted in this Laboratory in past years do not support this contention.