جة
395
GENERAL REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL CIVIL MEDICAL OFFICER
AND THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH,
FOR THE YEAR 1907.
AREA.
The Sanitary Board's jurisdiction extends to the Islan of Hongkong, which has an area of 29 square miles, and to that portion of territory on the mainland between the shore and the first range of the Kowloon Hills extending from the village of Tseung Kwan () in Junk Bay, on the East, to the village of Kau Pa Hang on the West-with a sea frontage of about thirteen miles and an area of about sixteen square miles. Old Kow- loon, with an area of about 23 square miles, has been in British occupation since 1861, but New Kowl on was leased to this Governinent in 1898 only, as part of what is known as the New Territories. The remainder of the New Territories is not under the jurisdiction. of the Sanitary Board.
The City of Victoria, built on the Northern shore of the Island of Hongkong, has a frontage to the sea of nearly five miles and is separated from the opposite mainland of Kowloon by the Harbour, which is rather less than a mile and a third wide opposite the centre of the City and widens out to somewhat over three miles at its widest part, con- tracting again at Lyemun Pass on the East to little more than a quarter of a mile in width.
The domestic buildings of the City of Victoria number 9,672 exclusive of Barracks and Police Stations, of which 976 are Non-Chinese dwellings, while there are also 162 European dwellings in the Hill District. The number of new houses completed during the year was as follows:-City of Victoria 90, Kowloon 28, Outlying districts 21, and Peak 3, making a total of 142.
In addition to the above there were erected miscellaneous buildings such as oflices, godowns, etc., to the number of 70.
GENERAL SANITARY CONDITION.
In connection with anti-plague measures to ren·ler as far as possible houses rat-proof, 370 ground surfaces in houses have been repaired and 1,201 buildings have had rat-runs filled up with cement. In addition 44 basements illegally inhabitel have been vacated, while permits for the use of 58 basements and for 147 basement kitchens have been issued and 9 basements have been altered to fulfil legal requirements.
Open spaces in the rear have been provided to 16 existing houses, while modifications in regard to such open spaces or backyards have been allowed in the case of 20 houses and small obstructions therein allowed in 112 others. Exemption from the provision of a yard has been granted in the case of 19 houses, and obstructions have been removed from backyards, under notice, in 181 houses.
In addition to the above improvements carried out under the supervision of the Sunitary Department various other permanent improvinents have been effected by the Public Works Department. These include the training of nullahs to the extent of 4,346 feet, the build- ing of a public latrine in the Old Western Market, and the resumption and demolition of one house and of portions of two others.
A considerable improvement is always taking place in the matter of scavenging lanes but the full effect of the Ordinance in this respect will not be noticeable for a considerable number of
years. Nevertheless the total area of lanes obtained for scavenging purposes during the year has been 13,771 sq. ft., the length being 2,629′ 5′′.
During the year three wells, the water of which was unsatisfactory, were close l by order of the Sanitary Board, while one Government well was also closed on account of pollution of the water.