of
February 12, 1898.]
08 an opportunity for still further raising the standard. We would therefore suggest that competitive designs should be invited, in order that the colony might ob- | tain the best building possible. But as Mr. ORMSBY suggests that the plans for the new Post Office should be prepared locally, why should he think it necessary to go to Eng land for the plans of the new Courts? It is as true in relation to the Courts as to the Post Office that "the internal arrangement "af public rooms and offices could probably "be better decided on the spot," and as to "striking architectural effects," we think local architeets might be relied upon to pro- duce "a design worthy of the colony and of "this prominent site.”
THE WATER-CARRIAGE VERSUS
THE HAND-CARRIAGE SYSTEM..
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At the last meeting of the Sanitary Board the question of the respective merits of the water carriage system and the hand carriage system for the disposal of nightsoil was again raised. The subject is one upon the abstract merits of which experts are divided in opinion, but, so far as Hong- kong is concerned, the general adoption of the water carriage system, even if it were held to be desirable on other grounds, has been practically impossible owing to the scarcity of the water supply. The Hon. R. D. ORMSBY, Director of Public Works, is of opinion that with the recent additions to the storage capacity and those in progress the difficulty has been overcome and that Hongkong will never again experience a water familie. We hope it may be so, but the figures Mr. RMSBY gives are not con- vincing upon the point. Calculations in such matters must be based, not on the average, but on the minimum rainfall. The growth of the population and the conse- quently increased demands upon the water supply must also be taken into consideration, and under existing conditions it would be un- wise to add to those demands by the general. adoption of the water closet system. The difficulty might, of course, be got over by using sea waters but that would involve the expense of laying special mains, building reservoirs, and setting up pumping mach inery. Unless and until the colony is pre- pared to enter upon a scheme of that kind the adoption of the water carriage system must be considered in reference to the exist- ing water supply, and must be declared inexpedient on account of the possibility of its aggravating a water fanzine and also on account of the direct danger to health that would be created in the event of there not being sufficient water available for flushing purposes.
If the water difficulty could be overcome we would be disposed to favour the adop- tion of the water carriage system for European houses and, as suggested by Mr. CHADWICK in his report on the drainage of Hongkong, not to discourage any tendency that might be evinced by the Chinese to adopt it. It is contended that such diseases as enteric fever and diphtheria can be and are contracted from the foul emann- tions from drains and sewers, especially when they contain human excreta, and this con- tention is supported by clinical experience, many cases of these two diseases having been traced to foul emanatious from sewers and drains. This direct evidence must be held to outweigh that supplied by experiments proving that sewer air is purer bacteriologically than atmospheric air. But where the drainage system is good foul - emanations ought not to exist, and even if
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. an occasional case of illness may be traced to such a source, on the other hand the offensive smells attendent upon the hand carriage system must also be prejudicial to health. Certain it is that some of the healthiest cities in Great Britain employ the water carriage system; and if it be correct, as has been stated, that Victoria may now be regarded as one of the best drained cities east of Sucz, the drains ought to be capable of meeting the demand that the adoption of that system here would make upon them. Mr. EDE favours the hand carriage system because with it the sewage is carried right away from | the colony; but with an efficient water carriage system the removal is effected not only as completely, but also more promptly. However, in the absence of an adequate water supply it is useless discussing the merits of the water carriage system. The practical point to which attention should be directed is the improvement of the present hand carriage system. The Sanitary Board made recommendations to the Government on this subject six months ago, but nothing has yet been done..
THE GAOL REPORT.
The Hon. F. H. MAY's report on Victoria Gaol for 1897 records a notable improve- ment in the discipline and a corresponding decrease in the number of prison offences. In 1894 the daily average number of prisoners was 455 and the number of prison offences. 2,896, giving an average of 6.3 offences per prisoner; in 1895 the daily average number of prisoners was 472 and the number of prison offences 3,654, giving an average of 7.7 per man; in 1896 the figures. were, daily average number of prisoners 514, number of prison offences 2,592, average per prisoner 5; while daily average number of prisoners was 462, the number of offences 1,903, average per man 4.1. Mr MAY ascribes the improvement to greater efficiency of supervision on the part of the gaol staff and to a better appreciation of prison discipline on the part of the "prisoners." The latter cause is pre sumably dependent upon the former,
in 1897 the
for as the prisoners are a fuctuating body drawn from the same class one year after another it is not to be supposed that there can have been any appreciable all round improvement in their character. With regard to the gaol staff, Mr. "MAY reports that their conduct has been on the whole
very good, and this DO doubl is the important factor bringing about the diminution in the in number of prison offences. In his report for 1895 Mr. A. M. THOMSON, who was then Acting Superintendent of the Gaol, stated that the staff had been reorganised during that year, chiefly by the engagement of a number of Indien turnkeys and a corresponding reduction in the European staff; Mr. CRAIG joined as Warder in February and a few other officers had since come out from England. In the 1896 report, written by Mr. H. B. LETHBRIDGE, the bald statement was made that the con- duct of the staff generally had been good. Mr. MAYin his report for 1897 enters a little more into detail, gives credit to the Chief Warder and Principal Warders, and mentions that during the year eleven European warders had been engaged locally, who were drawn from the naval and military forces and had given satisfaction. Whether these engagements were due to an increase in the staff or were simply to fill vacancies caused by resignation is not stated; but the sensible diminution
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in the number of prison offences caused by greater efficiency on the part of the ghol staff is a in favour of making the conditions of service strong argument such that good men main, for with constant changes on account may be induced to re-
of dissatisfaction efficiency cannot reach its highest point. There has within the last year or two been some improvement in the conditions, with the result that changes are, be, but they seem still to be more frequent we believe, less frequent than they used to than is desirable.
DEPARTURE OF HIS EXCELLENCY. THE GOVERNOR, SIR WILLIAM ROBINSON, G.C.M.G.
PRESENTATION OF ADDRESSES, Sir William Robinson, G.C.M.G., as Governor On 1st Feb. the community of Hongkong knew of their colony for the last time. He departed from our shores by the German mail steamer Preussen. How highly popular he was in | social
the busy two hours preceding his 'de
circles was fully shown during parture, for the people who had known him, and had
cause to respect him dur-· ing his long period of office assembled in large numbers to bid him farewell and to wish him long life and prosperity. Before of three addresses, which embarking His Excellency was the recipient to him at the City Hall.
were presented the community as a whole, the second was from the Chinese, and the third was from the Par sees. The presentations were made in the St. George's Hall, which was crowded with people, been his invariable custom, His Excellency was including many ladies. According to what has punctual in arriving, and he was received in. front of the City Hall by a guard of honour consisting of men of the Hongkong Regiment. At the door Sir John Carrington (Chief Jus- tice) and several leading members of the com munity welcomed His Excellency and conducted him to the hall. There was no delay in com mencing the proceedings.
One was from
THE ADDRESS FROM THE COMMUNITY. address on behalf of the community, said-Your Sir JOHN CARRINGTON, in presenting the Excellency, it is my privilege to ask you to receive a farewell address from the inhabitants of this colony. The address itself will be illuminated and will be forwarded to Your with an album of views of the colony, which we Excellency when you arrive home, together beg you to accept with the address. I will now, Sir, with your leave read the address:
To
His Excellency Sir WILLIAM ROBINSON,
Hongkong, January, 1898.
Knight Grand Cross. of the Most Distin- guished Order of St. Michael and St, George, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Colony of Hongkong and its Depén. dencies, and Vice-Admiral of the same. Sir,-Before you finally sever your official with which you have been so closely associated connection with Hongkong and leave the place for upwards of the last six years, its residents would ask you to accept this brief tribute of their regard for the cordial sentiments which you have ever entertained towards them, and expressed for the prosperity of the colony.. the kindly thoughts which you have always
you as its new Governor, and from that time In the Autumn of 1891, Hongkong welcomed down to the present hour you have shaped the destinies of th Island, and watched over its interests, its lieberties; and its rights. In the acted under a sense of impartial justice, and if administration of its affairs you have invariably sometimes doubts and difficulties have inter- vened and differences have arisen, you have and suggestions of others, even though, in the ever readily Istened to and weighed the views exercise of your duty, you have felt compelled to negative and reject them.
The stages through which your past has led you have endowed you, in many parts of Her of human life. In 1854 yon joined the Colonial Majesty's dominions. with varied experiences
position which you now hold. Private Secre Service, and gradually rose, step by step, to the tary at various intervals to such statesmen as Mr.