328
Appendix A.
Paragraph 173.-SAM It has not to the knowledge of the Sanitary Surveyor ever done any work at the cemeteries.
Paragraph 199.--This is not in accordance with fact. I have concerned myself in the conduct and supervision of the cemeteries and could have produced written minutes to prove this had I been asked to do so by the Commission.
Paragraph 202 is misleading, a case was reported to me by one of the Inspectors not as a result of but prior to investigation by the Commission. This is referred to in the Colonial Secretary's minute.
Paragraph 213.----There are plans of the cemeteries shewing boundaries kept at the office, the Medical Officer of Health has reported that he considers it impracticable and to serve no wise purpose to have plans shewing each grave space in the Chinese cemeteries, the number of the grave can always be obtained by reference to the Register.
Paragraph 214-I quite agree with and certainly think that all bodies should be in- spected by a medical man. This is purely a question of staff; at present the Medical Officer of Health at Kowloon is doing this.
Paragraph 224.-It is quite impossible for the Medical Officers of Health to personally inspect all premises concerned in prosecutions for offences against the Public Health and Buildings Ordinance.
The Inspectors report on facts only and on the merits of the case the Medical Officer of Health decides whether it is one for prosecution or not.
In the case of all nuisances legal notices are first served and then letters are sent before prosecution is instituted.
In the cases of premises unfit for habitation the Medical Officer of Health would not only visit the premises but give evidence in Court, and he sometimes does so in other cases.
Paragraph 231.--The recommendation in this paragraph is uncallel for as in the case of nuisances a notice is invariably served.
Paragraph 250.—Plague has considerably decreased as the figures in Appendix A shows. Paragraph 252.-As I stated in my evidence the Commissioners do not understand the way the Government controls the expenditure of its departments. The report of the Local Auditor distinctly disproves this statement. (See Enclosure 7 in Colonial Secretary's minute.)
Paragraph 266.—Proper books are kept and are regularly checked by the Auditor.
What I meant to convey was not that proper books were not kept but I had to complain that an index of the records had not been made so that it was difficult to refer back to papers for information, this has been in course of preparation and is now practically completed.
Even assuming the premises to be correct, which is not so, it does not warrant the conclusion “that corruption was ripe in the very heart as it were of the Department."
Paragraph 274.-A great deal has been made out of the question of the Standing Orders, before the passing of Ordinance 23 of 1903 the Sanitary Board framed the Standing Orders for the Officers and Servants.
During 1903 these orders had been under consideration by the Board for months and the final corrected proof came up for confirmation at a meeting of the Board in December and was approved by the Board.
When Ordinance 23 of 1903 became law the Principal Civil Medical Officer as administrative head had to control the subordinate staff. In doing so he adopted the orders approved by the Board amending them afterwards as occasion required, it is absurd to think that I presented these orders to the Board for confirmation with the distinct object of slight- ing the Board!