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already too high. The desirable minimum is one latrine per family but this is only possible if accommodation be exactly adjusted to the needs of the family.
52. Separate bathrooms are desirable but not essential. A small tub of water and a dipper are all that are required for bathing, and the kitchen can be used for the purpose.
Alternatively, a shower bath is economical in water consumption and the cost of installation negligible. With the native type W.C. sunk level with the floor the shower could be fixed in the latrine and the W.C. would then serve the double purpose of sanitary appliance and bath waste.
53. For the Chinese a separate kitchen is essential. Electricity, gas or coal used in an enclosed stove are quite beyond their means. Normal cooking is done on a chatty under a hood which, in theory, draws the fumes and smoke into the fiue. In actual practice it does no such thing, to judge by the smoke begrimed average kitchen. To cook in the living room is therefore not desirable.
54. Light and air are essential for human health. It is desirable therefore that every habitable room or part of a tenement should be well lit and that every occupant should, if he or she so desires, be able to obtain fresh air by opening a window. In the present type of tenement the occupants of inner cubicles can have no say in the matter as to whether the windows in the outer compartments be opened or closed. It must be recognized that, except in very hot weather, the Chinese slum dweller normally keeps his windows closed and no law can force him to open them. Openings compulsorily left in walls can easily be blocked up. If it be considered necessary to keep the air in a house fresh, whether the occupant likes it or not, the only scheme which appears to offer any hope of success is to provide an outlet for foul air by means of a flue leading to the roof. This scheme would depend for its success upon the very slow changing of air without the influx of cold air being noticeable to the occupant.
55. The successful disposal of refuse from flats is difficult of achievement. The carrying of dust bins up and down public stairs is not satisfactory, particularly when they are so full that the lid cannot be properly closed and a trail of garbage is left on the stairway. Disposal by means of chutes appears to be the best method and, although early types of chutes were not very satisfactory, faults have now been remedied and an efficient chute is obtainable. No particulars as to cost are at present available.
56. The interior finish to a house is largely governed by considerations of hygiene and economics. It must be vermin proof and easily cleaned, and must be cheap in first cost and maintenance. Cement render satisfies these conditions, but it is rather cheerless unless painted. Local tiles might be used, if costs permit, to provide a more cheerful atmosphere.
57. The question of artificial lighting is a subject for enquiry and experiment. It is obviously a waste of money to wire a house for electricity if the tenant cannot pay for current. In such a case sconces should be fixed to the walls to provide for oil lamps or candles. A standard pattern could be produced in large quantities at negligible cost and would amply repay initial outlay as an insurance against fire risks. Even when the remainder of the house is not wired, public stairways should be efficiently lighted all night, preferably by electricity.
58. The provision of communal services has been the subject of experiment to In many a far greater extent in continental European countries than in England. European schemes these communal features include recreation and reading rooms, guest rooms, sewing rooms, billiard rooms, gymnasia and restaurants. Storage space for prams and bicycles is almost invariably provided. These however are somewhat in the nature of luxuries.
59. The frequent absence of baths and the general absence of individual hot water systems in European housing schemes is largely counterbalanced by the provision of public bath houses, laundries and drying rooms, conveniently situated and fitted in a most up-to-date manner. There are eight communal baths in Hong Kong and these are largely patronized. The women frequently do their laundry work in them.