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June 12, 1895.1
DJEDJIYE AND HIS INKHORN.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
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| Governor was sorrowful, for he deemed the thing impossible on account of the stench which A NEW TALE FROM THE ARABIAN NIGHTS.
arose from the caverns, But Djédjiyé and Many years after the death of Suleyman Iba certain of his friends exerted themselves strenn- Daood (on whom be peace), there reigned in the ously in the matter, so that in a short time the land of the infidels a certain queen, great and caverns were made clean and the pestilence powerful. Her empire extended over many abated. And all the people rejoiced exceedingly nations and peoples, from the Western Sea to the and praised Djédjiyé for his seal and activity, Island of China. Now upon a certain day this and certain of them made a petition to the Queen called her Weseer and said to him, "Governor that he would bestow a reward on Wezeer, thou knowest that the Island of China Djédjiyé, and Ibn Rabin said, "I will do what is without a Governor and I am desirous of send-ye ask." Then he took a pen and wrote a ing thither a wise and prudent person to be the letter to the Queen in these words:- Govornor of the Island. Icommand thee, there- fore, that thou choose from among my Emirs the man who is most worthy, and that thon bring him before me at such a time, so that I may send him to be Governor over the Island of China and its dependencies." And the Wereer said, “I hear, and obey” Then he went out from the presence of the Queen and took counsel with the old men that were his friends and at the hour appointed he brought to the Queen an Emir called Ibn Rabin (the son of a bird) and she made him Governor of the .Island. Now.. Ibn Rabin was tall and of a comely countenance, but in nowise skilled in the arts of government. And he came to the Island of China and ruled over it for the space of three years.
HONGKONG SANITARY BOARD.
A meeting of the Sanitary Board was held on Friday afternoon. The Hon. F. A, Cooper (Director of Public Works) presided, and there hart (Colonial Secretary and Registrar-General), were also present-Hon. J. H. Stewart Look- Hou. Commander W. C. H. Hastings (Acting Captain Superintendent of Police), Surgeon. Major Westcott (Aoting Medical Officer of Health), and Mr. H. McCallum (Secretary).
MINUTES.
The SECRETARY read the minutes of the pre- vious meeting, and they were confirmed. THE ALTERATIONS AT THE CENTRAL MARKET,
Ibn Rabin the Governor to the Queen of Queens.A great pestilence hath lately arisen in the Island of China and many of the people died thereof. And I charged certain persons
The PRESIDENT informed the Board that the and Djédjiyé the scribe to make clean the question, which was raised at the last meeting caverns of the Djinns, and when they were made respecting certain alterations and additions to the clean the pestilenco abated. The persons whom Central Market had been considered. The prin. I commanded to carry out the work have la-cipal alteration is the construction of a pack- boured faithfully and Djédjiyé the soribe hath ing room and cook-house. laboured faithfully in his office as a scribe. I table the plans, and moved their adoption.
He laid upon the humbly pray thee to bestow a reward upon them The ACTING CAPTAIN SUPERINTENDENT OF and upon Djédjiyé the scribe."
POLICE seconded.
Carried.
MS
APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES. The PRESIDENT said that no doubt members were aware that an Ordinance had been passed
dinance had only just been received but it was conferring certain powers on the Board to ap point standing committees. A copy of the Or- very important that some of the Committees should be formed at once. He therefore moved
that
a committee dealing with matters relating pointed and that it consist of the Acting Cap- to house to house visitation of basements be ap- tain Superintendent of Police and the Assistant Secretary.
The ACTING MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH seconded.
Carried.
The ACTING CAPTAIN SUPERINTENDENT Police moved that a committee consisting of the President and the Colonial Surgeon be ap pointed to deal with matters connected with the markets, cattle depots, and slaughter-honses. MEDICAL OFFICE OF HEALTH and carried.
The resolution was seconded by the ACTING
When Ibn Rabin had written this letter he sealed it with his seal and gave it to a messenger and the messenger carried it to the Queen. And when the Queen had read the letter she called the Wezeer and showed it to him and said,
0 Djédjivé famous for his eloquence, insomuch persons and to Djédjiyé the scribe P" And the In that place there was a certain man by name Wezeer, what reward shall be given to these that the people called him El Knseyi (the father Wezeer answered, "O Queen of the world, my of words). And if any owed money and he to counsel is this. Let these other persons be whom the debt was due had made complaint to advanced in rank and dignity. But as for the Kadi, the debtor straightway used to go to Djédjiyé the scribe. he is a
man exceed. Djédjiyé and give him a present, so that he ingly contentious and a disturber of the peace might speak for him to the Kadi, Then and many times he hath withstood the Gover- Djédjiye used to go to the hall where the nor Ibn Rabin and hath caused the people Kadi sat on the seat of judgment, and when to murmur. Moreover the letter of the Governor over the Kadi saw him he bowed his head showeth that he hath not laboured in this and saluted him on account of his great reputa- matter like these other persons, but only in tion for learning and eloquence. And after his office as a scribe. My counsel in regard to salutations the Kadi would say, "O Djédjiyé, this Djédjiyé is that thon command the chief tell me how I may serve thee." And Djédjiye of the artificers to fashion an inkhorn of silver would reply, "O Kadi, a judge must shut his and that thou send the inkhorn to the Governor ears to falsehood and protect virtue. It and bid him give the inkhorn to Diédjiyé is said that a complaint hath been made and address him with smooth words. If he shall against such an one thy servant, that he doth accept the inkhorn the people will no more hon- owe money; but the man is well known to our him; but if he shall refuse the inkhörn then me and he is the richest and most hon he will seem to be puffed up with pride and all ourable among all the sons of the merchants. men will mock at him." And the Queen said The Colonial Veterinary Surgeon submitted How then should he owe aught to any man ?
So be it." But the Wezeer spoke in this wise a report calling attention to the Ordinance If therefore a complaint hath been made to thee because he was a friend of Ibn Rabin the Go-referring to the sale of articles of food elsewhere against this just:and virtuous person, it is meet vernor and knew of the enmity which than in the public markets. He expressed the that he who made it should be beaten and cast was between him and Djédjiyé. So the opinion that eggs were amongst the prohibited into prison." And the Kadi would say, "So be messenger returned to the Governor and articles. it." Thus Djédjiyé was held in great honour, brought to him the inkhorn and a letter from for all men ват that he
able to the Queen commanding him to give the inkhorn persuade the Kadi to do whatsoever be to Djédjiyé and to address him with smooth wished. Moreover this Djédjiyé was
a words. Then the Governor took a pen and wrote man of an active and bustling disposi-a letter to Djédjiyé :- tion, and one who took a delight in busying Ibn Rabin the Governor to Djédjiye-The himself about public matters. And there was messenger who conveys this letter will deliver to enmity between him and the Governor Ibn thee an inkhorn as the reward of thy services. Rabin. And so often as the Governor issued a Thou hast had thanks enough already." proclamation Djédjiye used to speak to the people concerning it and say, "Woe to you, O ye horn to Djédjiyé. And when Djédjiyé bad read people! Do ye still permit this son of a bird to the letter he said, "Woe upon thee. Ibu rule over you?" Then the people marmured Rabin!" Then he took a pen and wrote a letter against the proclamation. Wherefore 1bn to the Governor in the following words Babin was wrath with Djédjiyé and sought an cccasion to punish him.
•
And Ibn Rabin sent the letter and the ink-
"
Djédjiye to the Governor Ibn Rabin—I am not a scribe that I should be rewarded with an Now the sons of the merchants who resorted inkhorn. The other persons who laboured with to the Island of China for traffic brought not me have been advanced in rank and dignity, and with them any servants from their own countries, it is meet that I should receive the like or bat they were served by the Djinns (celestial greater reward inasmuch as my labour was beings) who dwelt in the Island. These Djinns greater. Thou knowest this and yet thou hast formerly possessed the land, but they rebelled concealed it from the Queen. All men shall against Süleyman Ibn Daood (on whom be peace), know what thou hast done.”
THE SALE OF EGGS,
On the motion of the PRESIDENT, seconded by the ACTING CAPTAIN SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE, it was resolved not to take any steps to prevent the sale of eggs outside the markets.
UNHEALTHY WELLS.
Certain unhealthy wells in the colony were, on the motion of the ACTING MEDICAL OFFICER OF BEALTH, ordered to be closed.
THE CONDITION OF LATRINES.
The Assistant Surveyor, Mr. E. A. Ram. presented a long report on the condition of the latrines which are open to the public in Victoria. He said that in a very great majority of cases the latrines are situated in highly congested neighbourhoods, and are surrounded by domestic buildings, sometimes upon all, and generally upon at least two sides. With the exception of a few public free latrines which have been erected by the Government, there is not a single latrine in the city which fulfils the most elementary re- quirements of sanitation in regard to site and constraction. In nearly every instance the pro- vision for light and air is inadequate, and in a good many cases this is almost inevitable from the nature of the site or the character of the build. ings. The general impression left upon his mind, after a careful inspection, confirms the once-that the latrine accommodation of the city of Victoria is in an extremely unsatisfactory joondition. Mr. Ram concludes his report with suggested improvements.
and he conquered them and laid on them a curse When Djédjiyé had finished the letter he that for 10,000 years they should serve all sent the letter and the inkhorn to the Governor those who should come to the Island. After and he made known to all the people the thing the death of Suleyman many merchants came which had happened. And the people praised thither to purchase tea and silk and other articles Djédjiyé, but in regard to Ibn Rabin the Go-opinion formed as the result of previous experi of merchandise, and they built for themselves vernor they were silent. For they feared the dwelling houses, and store houses, and mosques. Governor. But the Djinns abode in caverns and came forth from them to attend upon the merchants, These caverns were foul and noisome, and the stench which arose from them was noxious, both to man and beast.
The China Gazette says:-Chang Chih-tang and his fellow conspirators in the mandarinate who have started the Formosan " rebellion” and furnished the sinews of war for the founding of In the 4th year of the Government of the bogus republic are apparently afraid of the Ibn Babin a great pestilence arose in the results of their shameful machinations and have Island of China, and many men died thereof. thought better of despatching the steamer And the Governor consulted with the wise Arthur to the island with further supplies for men and they all with one accord déclared that Governor President Tang. She is now dis- the pestilence would not abate until the caverns charging her cargo into the Kiangnan Arsenal of the Djinns were made clean, Then the godowns,
The following minutes were attached :-- The Acting Medical Officer of Health-I have in. spected all these latrines and am of opinion that they are almost all insanitary in some respect, and I con.. eider it an urgent necessity that the privately owned ones should be abolished, and that the colony should be supplied with a system of latrines constructed and maintained by Government.
The Acting Colonial Surgeon-Undoubtedly some- thing should be done to remedy this state of affairs. I recommend that the Government be requested to