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The Chairman.-Are you quite satisfied with the staff you have? Is it ample for the requirements of the Colony?
Dr. CLARK.-Well, Sir, that is a somewhat difficult question to answer.
The Chairman.-Roughly. We don't want to go into details.
Dr. CLARK.-Well, I think the sanitary condition of the Colony would be very much improved if we had double the staff. That is to say, each District Inspector can only now visit each house in his District once in two months. I think if each house was visited once a month it would be far better.
The Chairman.-A proposition has been made that the Principal Civil Medical Officer should be purely an administrative officer in charge of the Sanitary Department as well as the Medical Department. Do you see any serious objections?
Dr CLARK.-Yes, Sir, I do.
The Chairman.What are they?
Dr. CLARK.-On that question I have prepared a statement which deals with all the various points; I think it covers everything which concerns me and my duties as Medical Officer of Health.
Colonel HUGHES.-Have you had an increase of Inspectors since the epidemic ?
Dr. CLARK.-We have had an increase. That is to say, five additional men are provided in the Estimates, and two have already arrived from England. During the plague we took on four temporary men.
Colonel HUGHES.-How long have you beca Medical Officer of Health in Hongkong?
Dr. CLARK.-Six years and a few months.
Colonel HUGHES.-On what engagement did you come to Hongkong?
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Dr. CLARK.-I was appointed as an Assistant in the Medical Department.
Colonel HUGHES. As an Assistant what ?
Dr. CLARK.-An Assistant Surgeon in the Medical Department on the understand- ing that I would be seconded for service under the Sanitary Board when I arrived. That was not put in writing in my case, it was given me verbally. The Assistant Medical Officer of Health has actually had the same condition put in writing. I can put Appendix in the terms of his appointment. These, Sir, are the terms of the appointment of the Assistant Medical Officer of Health, and that was practically the understanding on which I came to this Colony. I was a Medical Officer of Health in England before I came here and would not have accepted appointment to do hospital work.
IX.
Dr. STEDMAN. When the Assistant is seconded to serve under the Sanitary Board he owes no allegiance to the Medical Department?
Dr. CLARK.No.
Colonel HUGHES.-Is there any country, or Colony, or place where the Medical and the Sanitary Departments are separate?
Dr. CLARK.-There is no Medical Officer of Health in England who is subordinate to any medical man. The Medical Officer of Health is supreme in his own Department.
Colonel HUGIES.-Take India for instance ?
Dr. CLARK. I have not been to India, so I cannot speak generally.
Colonel HUGHES.-Take the Medical Officer of Health in Calcutta for instance?