-
185 (66)
Pages 10-11.
Hansard Page 72 1902,
45. This cuccod petition to be drawn from the principal residents here to the Secretary of State calling attention to the Sanitary Condition prevailing and asking for the appointment of experts to be sent out to report thereon.
46. In accordance with this request Professor SIMPSON, M.D., and Mr. CHAD- WICK, C.E., cape out and made their reports thereon, and to give effect to their recommendations, à New Ordinance was drafted and submitted to the Legislative Council.
17. So far as the administration of the Sanitary Board was concerned this Bill propose that whilst the Board should still exist, there should be appointed an Officer of the Government to be called "The Saintary Commissioner ".
48. The following is an extract from Professor SIMPSON'S Report dated 22nd December, 1902, on the subject:-
"The most noticeable feature in regard to sanitary matters in Hongkong is that no one is responsible. Independence of action by different officers and absence of co-ordination tend to spasmodic action and inefficiency. There is a Sanitary Board and a President who meet at stated times and discuss public health matters, but their functions are advisory. There is the Medical Officer of Health for the Colony, whose duties are executive, but there is no administrative- head who is responsible to the Government for the conduct of health matters in the Colony and for the maintenance of a continuous and progressive policy. It is advisable that all municipal health matters be brought more or less under one department, controlled by a sanitary or health commissioner who would be the administrative officer. There is more than ample work to occupy the whole time of such an officer. In addition to being President of the Sanitary Board he would administer the several branches of the Public Health Department, dealing with the health questions relating to water supply, sewerage and drainage, alignment and laying out of streets and back lanes, the prevention of the crowding together of new houses, or the formation of new unhealthy areas, the scrutiny of plans of new houses, and the enforcement of compliance with the requirements of health, the preparation of schemes for the consideration of Government in con- nection with the demolition of insanitary areas, and the reconstruction of sanitary lines, the provision of markets, public latrines, urinals, bath houses, &c., and the general enforcement of the Public Health laws. Lastly, he would be responsible to Government for the efficient working of the Department, and, like the Director of Public Works, should have a seat on the Legislative Council. Mr. OSBERT CHADWICK, C.M.G., is also strongly of opinion that a Sanitary Commissioner is required."
49. The Bill was read a first time in July, 1902.
50. The public both European and Chinese on examining it, saw that a very "ge number of the sections were quite unworkable, drastic and unjust.
the
51. The European section represented by the principal owners of property themselves into a committee and employed the services of the 4 principal architects here to examine the Bill section by section and report on the
restions for the improvement of same.
53. TA substituted
54. The A
the original Bill
and CLARK. Eve the Bill criticised by such as landlords and through the Council them the Government have thought it right to
for
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forwarded under cover of a Petition from
eptember, 1902.
drew the Bill and on 6th November
a second time on 27th November.
the second reading of the Bill "That ce of Messrs. CHADWICK, SIMPSON bere by themselves. So much was ins who were affected by the Bill that the Bill could not be forced nsidered. In considering le suggestions which they