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In that despatch I informed your Lordship that I had availed myself of those disclosures to induce the Chinese to join in building a permanent native hospital adequate to meet the necessities of the very large Chinese population of the Colony; and that I had also promised them a suitable site for the purpose, as well as a contribution not exceeding in outlay on the site and in money the sum of $15,000.
4. I have much pleasure now in reporting that the subscription list circulated amongst the Chinese amounts to upwards of $30,000, and though in the present very distressed state of trade it is unlikely that such an amount will be actually realised, there is no doubt that more than $15,000 will be forthcoming, on the lodgment of which the Government contribution is to be paid over to the Trustees.
5. As might have been expected difficulties more or less important have occasionally arisen, but they all appear to have been now surmounted, and I see no reasonable ground for anticipating anything but a successful and useful result from the experience acquired a result, which will probably confer on the native community a greater and more civilizing boon than any yet devised.
6. One of the difficulties recently adjusted is interesting as it enables me to supplement the information forwarded in my despatch No. 726 with further and authentic details as to the national customs of the Chinese in the treatment of their own friends and relatives when at the point of death.
7. The Colonial Surgeon had on one occasion found a moribund patient removed to a room where there was already a corpse awaiting burial, and he justly remonstrated against such treatment of any person whilst actually living. Mr. LISTER, the Acting Registrar General, supposed that the Colonial Surgeon had found the patient in the shed outside the Hospital and in the place where the coffins containing bodies prior to removal are stored.
8. Mr. LISTER thereupon appears to bave issued a very stringent notice on the subject, and the Chinese who had placed the "I-Ts'z" on its present improved footing and had been inost active in getting up subscriptions for the new native hospital became alarmed, suspended their proceedings and forwarded to me a very remarkable petition on the subject through Mr. LISTER. I enclose a copy of that petition which I call (See page remarkable, not merely because it is clearly and well reasoned, a quality common to almost all Chinese official documents, but because it explains, inore directly than any modern document which I have seen, the feelings and practice of the Chinese in their treatment of the dying.
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9. In my enclosed memorandum on that petition your Lordship will observe (See page that I do not oppose under certain limitations the Chinese prejudice against allowing a person to die in a room with other patients, provided such moribund patients be removed with care to an adjoining apartment furnished with adequate comforts and appliances. To refuse this, which seems to me a very reasonable request, would have completely checked the movement for building a new hospital. I therefore trust your Lordship will be able to approve the course which I adopted.
10. Mr. LISTER having caused a translation of the substance of my memorandum to be published amongst the Chinese, the latter were much gratified and appear now in every way disposed to co-operate with the Government and push forward the under- taking of the new hospital.
The Right Honourable
EARL GRANVILLE, K.G.,
I have, &c.,
RICHARD GRAVES MACDONNELL, Governor.
1
Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State.