A.-No.
185 (197)
2148/50
Q.--What would you suggest as an amendment to that present regulation?
112.-A.--I would have everything in the house turned out, or moved bodily once a month. I am only now trying to lay down the laws of good house keeping. The object is to get rid of the cockroaches, I think, and vermin, and I would have all the corners dry brushed down, all internal angles everywhere. I dont think myself that throwing buckets of water on the floor and sweeping them out again is much use, unless the whole of the place where dust can lodge is swept. To my mind, the advantage of limewashing is that the brush has to go into every crevice or cranny, and there is a visible evidence of the brush having been there, and it is done. I dont think the limewash itself has anything to do with disinfecting,-
the lime we use here.
The Chairman.-And so you really think that the only benefit of limewashing is that the room is swept out?
A. It is cleaned. If you use hot lime, like they do in England, it is a different matter.
Mr. Shelton Hooper.-In England, dont they put it on hot?
A. Yes, it is made hot. It kills anything it touches.
Q.-Dont you think if that were done here once a year, it would be better than putting on this stuff twice a year ?
A. Yes certainly.
The Chairman.-And could this lime here be heated and put on in the same way as at home?
A.-No, we can't get a lime here in any quantity that will heat. The West River Lime Industry is practically dead, as far as Hongkong is concerned. We have had lime here that
will heat.
Q. From the West River?
A. From the West River, but they can't bring it down because it burns the junks. What is wanted here, is an industry for burning the West River limestone.
Q.-Have you seen the analysis of the West River lime?
A. Yes. I have forgotten it.
Q.-Would this lime if it is brought down in the form of stone from the West River, and it is burned here, would there be any objection to getting it done?
A.-I think it is only the cost. The West River lime burners can make a profit on it, and sell it locally, as long as it has not to go very far, but down here, I think it has been tried. Warren and Company tried to get it burned down here, but there has always been some trouble.
Q. How would it be brought down?.
A.-By junk, and burned by Capsimun,-somewhere around the Western or North Western end of the harbour.
Mr. Shelton Hooper.-Do you know a place called Kwei Chung?
A. Not by name.