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Would these proposed alterations to the backs of houses cost much, irrespective of the value of the land?
Yes, considerable, for not only would the back walls of a very large number of houses have to be pulled down and rebuilt but in nearly all of these cases it would entail redrainage and reconcreting of floors, of yards, &c. and practically all the houses in the Colony have just been newly drained and concreted.
This concluded the witness's examination.
Mr. CLEMENT PALMER, Architect, was the next witness.
The CHAIRMAN-Mr. PALMER, you are of the firm of Messrs. PALMER & TURner, Architects in Hongkong?
WITNESS-I am.
You have been resident in the Colony a number of years ?-Fifteen.
And you are acquainted with properties in Hongkong?—Yes.
With regard to the insanitary properties in Hongkong, have you any recommenda- tion to make to this Commission by which these insanitary properties can be inade sanitary?—I think that if half the kitchens were cut away it would be a beneficial step, but I think it would be difficult to carry out the suggestion about the width of the yards. In many of the existing properties it would be almost impossible to carry it out.
It would involve such a loss to the property?—There is not sufficient depth in the property to do it.
If half the kitchen was cut away would it render the house sanitary?—I think so in many cases.
With regard to cubicles have you any suggestions to make?-I think that the cubicles as they stand now are satisfactory. I think if you cut them away lower you would do away with the privacy.
You would recommend no change?-I would keep them as they are at present.
Hon. C. P. CHATER-What is your opinion in regard to compulsory resumption of private lanes by the Government?-I do not see that you would gain very much by it. You have powers to keep the lanes clean and I do not see that there is any parti- cular reason why the Government should resume.
Therefore as long as these lanes are kept clean and sanitary there is no object in resuming them?—I do not think there is any object in resuming them.
Mr. ED-There are a great number of back to back houses; do you consider they are insanitary in many cases ?-There is no doubt that many of them are.
What remedy would you suggest from a sanitary point of view?-I think the opening out of the kitchens in many cases would rectify them. Many of them have no light or air at all. If you open up half the kitchen and turn it into a yard it will tend to light and ventilate the place; in many cases that is the only way you could do it. Of course, I think the depth of the houses ought to be taken into consideration. A room 20 feet in depth might be perfectly well ventilated with one window, while if it was 50 feet in depth it would be imperfectly ventilated.
Do you consider a room 30 feet deep and 20 feet in height and only lighted from one side a sanitary dwelling?-It depends upon what is at the back.