NAVAL YARD
(Contd.)
#7724
are some interesting items in this connexion filed in the local Naval records which I have been permitted to use.
The first reference to the Infectious Disease Extension of the Naval Hospital appears in a memo dated April 16, 1897, from Vice-Admiral Buller, endorsing the proposition. There is further correspondence in 1897 regarding the extension, and it is evident that this was carried out about that time. A letter dated April 9, 1897, from the Admiralty, approves of the extension of the Hospital at an estimated cost of £16,000. When this extension had been eventually carried out, there is a reference to utilisation of a plot of land at Mount Parish.
However, some opposition from the Civil authorities appears to have been encountered at a later period. A letter from Dr. J. M. Atkinson, R.C.M.O., then President of the Sanitary Board, dated May 19, 1903, objects to the proposed opening of a Naval Hospital for infectious diseases "at Morrison Hill" owing to its nearness to the Naval Hospital, the Wanchai Government School and the considerable population not only of Chinese but also of European residents at Morrison Hill. He suggests that smallpox cases be treated as hitherto in the hospital ship "Midge," and that the hospital at Morrison Hill be reserved for the treatment of patients suffering from other infectious diseases.
The matter was referred to the Naval Officer in Charge of Works, who looked up the records and found the Navy had a good case. He replied that on December 19, 1876, a lease had been granted for this site for a Naval Hospital by the Government which admittedly stipulated that it should not be used for the treatment of smallpox and other infectious diseases; but he found that twenty-two years later, in June 1898, the Commodore had written to the Government to ascertain whether they could alter the terms of the lease to permit of a zymotic ward being established there. That same month the Government had replied that a new lease would be issued, in which there would be no restriction on the use of the site for the purpose required, and a letter dated November 26, 1898, and a license, dated November 21, 1898, were received removing the restrictions imposed by the lease.
The Government's objections in 1903 were therefore referred to the Admiralty, who cabled the following reply: "Resist unreasonable terms relative to treatment of smallpox cases at new Infectious Hospital."
The Commodore in August 1903 accordingly notified the Government that smallpox patients from the Navy would be sent to the new hospital, despite Dr. Atkinson's opposition.
In the course of the correspondence, it is mentioned that a new portion of the Royal Naval Hospital at Hong Kong, known as the Infectious Building, was situated "on top of a very high hill known as Mount Parish." It was intended that part of this new building should be used for smallpox cases.
Apparently, the reference to Morrison Hill in previous correspondence was either a confusion of the two sites, or else the proposal to build on Morrison Hill was never carried out.
The Navy about that time found itself again on the defensive this time with the Army as complainants, and the subject matter the recurring one of a smoke nuisance. There is a reference in the local records in November, 1903, to a smoke nuisance in the Naval Dock-yard. It is contained in a letter written by the Officer Commanding the 1st Battalion, Sherwood Foresters.
He states that with the north-east wind which prevailed during the