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ing and disinfecting of infected premises, and the general cleansing and limewashing of all tenement houses, and your Excellency granted the staff asked for by the Sanitary Board and from that time not a word of dissent was raised by any hon. member of this Connoil. I think, therefore, we are justified in assuming that, though in one or two instances mistakes may have been made-but in these cases persons have been recompensed where material ✨ was destroyed-the whole of the members of this Council have been fully aware for the last two years at least that the Sanitary Board have been combatting with the plague in a manner proposed to be now legalised by these by-laws, and, further, on several occasions they have expressed their approval of the work that has been done, and I do not think under these circumstances it can be said that the by-laws come before them in an entirely new form, The Sanitary Board has brought these by-laws forward now because it is evident that the plague exists in the immediate neighbourhood of this colony, and the Sanitary Board asks for the early passing of these by-laws so enable it to grapple with the disease im- mediately on its occurrence. And I must say that, personally, I consider any postponement of these by-laws will practically render useless any steps that the Board may take to deal with even two or three cases of plague that may occur in this colony any day. We have reliable information that the plague has broken out in Swatow, Formosa, the West River, and Macao, but I am glad to say that no cases have been reported in this colony so far. The Sanitary. Board has made preparations, subject to the passing of these by-laws, for the immediate grappling with any cases that may occur. I may mention that from the literature which has been recently published in scientific papers concerning the plague in Bombay, the general opinion would thoroughly endorse what I wish
as to
to state on behalf of the Sanitary Board, namely, the absolute necessity for the Board being empowered to en- force the provisions of these by-laws, and there- fore I hope that members will withdraw their cpposition to the immediate passing of the by- laws.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. pier to evade the law, and it is extremely to some misinterpretation of my instructions, difflonlt, when a nuisance is found to exist, to no demolition of cocklofts or cubicles occurred. find the person against whom action can be The disease continued unabated in the district, taken. The addition of the word "householder" and I accordingly issued instructions during gives power to take action against the person in the first week of May that the whole district charge of the house at the time and who is should be again cleansed, and that all dirty responsible for the property. The same remark woodwork and obstructions to windows must be applies to bý-law 14. The first part of by-law 15 removed; as a result of this second and more is the same as existing by-law 15. The second thorough cleansing, disinfection, and aeration part is new. That has been inserted with a view of the dwellings, no "repeat" case occurred in to providing or securing that promises should any house infected later than 5th May, although not be occupied as a domestic dwelling unless the disease lingered on in the district until Sep. there is proper ventilation and light. The tomber." I know a great deal was heard about third part of by-law 16 is the same as existing the exercise of this power during last year, but I by-law 16, and the fourth part is also the same. think the agitation was limited to a very few. The fifth part is new. The fifth part has re-. I do not for one moment wish to refer to the cases ference to the area that it is necessary to provide which were heard at the Supreme Court, but at the back of any basement between the wall to what has been referred to on a previous and the ground, and I venture to think that no occasion by the hon. member representing the thon. member of this Council would for one Chamber of Commerce, who said the Sanitary moment think that in providing an area Board was holding itself, up to ridicule. He for light and ventilation it was intended that afterwards withdrew a resolution which he pro- it should be obstructed and afterwards posed, but I regret to say he did not withdraw blocked up.
It is absurd to think that an his speech. The intention of this by-law is to area should be provided for light and ventilation give the Sanitary Board officers the necessary and that at the same time we should give per- power, but not as some suppose, to place them mission to block it up. That portion can outside the pale of the law. There is no doubt hardly be considered as new. By-law 16 is that at times cases occur in which zeal may the same as the existing by-law 15, except that outrun discretion, and of course these cases it prevents the obstruction of streets. An ad- have to be considered and if any damage is done dition has now been made to prevent the ob- the Sanitary Board will do their utmost struction of streets, it having been found that to make it good. I have now gone through persons evaded the spirit of the law because we the by-laws, but I should like to refer to were unable, owing to the letter of it, to compel papers which have also been before this Council. people to keep the streets clear; and the length During the epidemic of 1894, on the 11th of 30 feet for a room is new. The Board con- May, this Council approved of by-law 6, which sidered that a room of greater length than 50 reads-If the premises so visited or any part feet is too long.. The next portion is the same thereof shall be found in a dirty or insanitary as by-law 15 unless lighted and ventilated from condition in the opinion of the officer making the back. By-law 17 is the same as existing such visitation, he shall forthwith take steps by-law 28 and the latter part is the same as by- to have the same thoroughly cleaned out and law 29. By-law 18 is the same as existing by disinfected, &c." I lay special stress on the word law 19 except the last portion of it, which provides "forthwith," because it is recognised now that for the detention of persons in an infected house any steps taken on the occurrence of plague until they can be removed under proper supervi- must be prompt. If parties are going to sion. That has been the practice, which has been insist on receiving 24 or 48 hours' notice approved by the members of this Council, but before steps can be taken the Board had better at present the Sanitary Board is advised no longer exist, so far as trying to prevent the that it had no power to make such an order, spread of plague is concerned. On 6th May, By-law 19 is practically the same as existing 1895, I had the honour of addressing the on the steps by-law 20. By-law 20 is the same as by-law 21 Colonial Secretary a letter
His EXCELLENCY-You all know perfectly with a further explanation, By-law 21 is the taken to deal with the outbreak of plague
well, gentlemen, that I am not desirous of push- same as existing by-law 23. By-law 22 is the that occurred in that year. The letter seting anything through this Council by same as existing by-law 24, and by-law 29 is forth the steps taken by the Sanitary Board
means of what is called "the official phalanx.” the same as existing by-law 25. By-law 24 is and also enclosed a report from Mr. Crow
The only object we have in view in re- the same as by-law 27, and by-law 25 is the showing how the additional staff granted by gard to these by-laws is the imp ovement of same as by-law 26, except the last two para- the Government for the purpose had been dis-
the sanitary condition of the colony, and after the The first of the two posed of and it included everything which we graphs, which are new,
very full statement which we have paragraphs provides that infected premises now aspire to do and which the Sanitary Board,
heard from the Director of Public Works, shall not be re-occupied except under a certi- until the opinion of the Attorney-General was
who will be leaving the colony next week, I ficate of the Sanitary Board, and the latter obtained, was of opinion it had power, to do should have been very pleased for these by. part provides that the Board shall erect mat- To that report the senior unofficial member laws to pass to-day. On the other hand, I think sheds or hire buildings, &c. I think there can now in Council wrote the following minute: the unofficial members have a very reasonable be no doubt about the desirability of such "On behalf of my unofficial colleagues, amongst objection to pass them, as they cannot be provisions as these, By-law 26 is practically the whom these papers have been circulated, I wish absolutely aware of their contents. I therefore same as existing by-law 22. The latter part to express our appreciation of the prompt and do not object, although 1 do not like to take is new, but I would ask hon. members to vigorous measures taken to combat a possible the responsibility, to postponing this matter for
As the colony in compare this by-law with by-law 22 and I invasion of the plague.
a week only. At the same time, with reference would ask them to consider the circumstances general seems to be unaware of what precan- to what Dr. Ho Kai has said, that, they would under which by-law 22 came before this Council tious have been adopted, we would suggest that certainly affect the 'hinese inhabitants, I beg to in 1895, and I cannot help thinking that this they be communicated to the local press, as inform the Hon. Wei A Yuk and Hon. Ho Kai Council will approve of the Sanitary Board, by also any further steps that may from time to that the measures proposed and which are re- its officers, entering premises during the exis- time be taken, so that the community may be ferred to in these by-laws must be carried out, and tence of an epidemic in this colony in order to assured that everything possible is being done the compulsory visits especially must be put into thoroughly cleanse and disinfect them. to avert danger of a recurrence of the disease.
force. I will promise that this shall only be done think that hon, members will agree that unless On the 21st October. 1895, a further report by officers of standing who will give satisfaction illegal cocklofts, mezzanine floors, &c,, can be from Captain Hastings and Mr Crow, who had to the community. (Applause.) I must again removed and light and ventilation restored other charge of the inspection and disinfection of the say that we shall have to bring forward these measures would be no good at all. (Hear, hear.) dwellings in the colony was laid on this table, by-laws and make any amendment if necessary The report of the Medical Officer of Health and in that report the following sentence occurs on Monday next, and we must pass them then. "The experience of this year would seem to I cannot take the responsibility, with the plague concerning the outbreak of plague in 1896 con- clusively proves that if the cleansing and dis- demonstrate that the disease was nipped in the in the neighborhood of this colony, of post- infection of premises is to be carried out success- bud and an epidemic averted by the promptponing all this necessary work for a further fully the Board must of necessity have this removal and segregation of the inmates and the period. (Applause), power. I refer particularly to the following disinfection and cleansing of the infected pre- paragraph, which with your Excellency's, per-mises. The drastic measure it was deemed mission I will read "The exceptionally large necessary to adopt were fully justified by the number of repeat cases which occurred in nature of and the circumstances attending the No. 2 Health District affords a remarkable outbreak." That was laid on the table in Octo- justification, from the sanitary point of view, ber, 1895, and up to this date no hon. member of the action taken by the Sanitary Board in has expressed disapproval of the steps taken in demolishing cubicles and cooklofts with a view that year. On the 6th April, 1896, when this to the admission of light and air to the dwell colony was again threatened with an epidemic ings. The eastern district of the city was of plague, I addressed a letter to your Excel declared affected by the epidemic on 2nd April, lency on behalf of the Sanitary Board, point- 1896, and during that month a general cleansing out the necessary steps that should be ing of the houses was carried out, but owing | taken, and amongst others were the cleans
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Hon, T. H. WHITEHEAD-Will you not
give us a fortnight? If the plague should unfortunately come in our midst I am perfectly certain that every unofficial member will attend an emergency meeting to pass the requisite by- laws in order to grapple with the plague. These by-laws require time for consideration and I think that under those circumstances your Excellency might give us a fortnight.
His EXCELLENCY-I consider that preven tion is better than cure, Mr. Whitehead, and I cannot give you longer than a week.