THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
THE PLAGUE.
April 9
16
JE
23
30
17
.106
87
92
The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS said that on paper the scheme seemed too good to him, The reason he made the remark he did in the The weekly returns for the last eight weeks minute was that although the revenne might be are as follows:- clearly made out it seemed to him that the Ve-Week ending
Cases. Deaths. terinary Surgeon was possibly under-estimating the expenditure, and he would like it more clearly thought out; because even reducing the profits considerably the scheme would still be a He noticed that a very small good one. staff of scavenging coolies was provided. It seemed to him quite impossible for them to do the work of the slaughterhouse cleaning. He would like to know whether the Colonial Veter- inary surgeon was aware what staff was em- ployed daily now in doing the work, and whether he had provided quite as much or a little more?
The COLONIAL VETERINARY SURGEON— About the same. I think they will work better than the present staff because they will be superintended.
Answering the PRESIDENT, the COLONIAL VETERINARY SURGEON said he had based most of the scheme on the staff they at present employed.
The MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH, `in seconding, said that the fact that the change would still further safe guard the food supply of the colony was one of the most powerful rea- sons which could be adduced in its favour. It seemed to him most inadvisable that the slaughtering of all cattle should be in the hands of a contractor to make as much profit out of it as he could. Of course it was for the Government to decide whether the scheme was acceptable to them or not, and they would no doubt go thoroughly into the question before adopting a scheme of such magnitude.
The ACTING REGISTRAR-GENERAL thought they had got sufficient reasons now for making the change. At one time the only reason for the change seemed to be that Mr. Francis was in favour of it.
The motion was carried. THE ANIMAL DEPOTS AT
KENNEDYTOWN,
The COLONIAL VETERINARY SURGEON re- ported on May 23rd:-"I have the honour to report for the information of the Sanitary Board that owing to the recent large increase in the number of swine imported into the colony it is necessary that more accommodation be provided at Kennedytown Animal Depôts for the housing of these animals. I therefore recommend that another shed of similar dimen. sions to the last new one be erected as soon as possible and that they both be partitioned off into pens (the existing one has not been so fitted) as are the other sheds on the terrace above."
Replying to a minute of the Acting Registrar General, the Colonial Veterinary Surgeon gave the following particulars-total number of swine slaughtered in the colony for the year 1896 was 129,103 and for 1897 137,748 Accom modation is now provided for 1,840 head. The new shed would hold 560 head.
On the motion of the MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH, Seconded by the DIRECTOR OF PUB- LIC WORKS, it was decided to recommend the Board to provide additional accommodation at Kennedytown for the housing of swine.
THE PLAGUE AT FORMOSA,
A return as to the plague at Formosa for- warded to the Colonial Secretary by Mr. Ernest A Griffiths, H.M. Consul, showed that from April 1st to April 27th 317 cases were reported, and from April 28th to May 8th 205.
THE MORTALITY RETURNS.
The mortality returns for the week ended 21st May showed a death rate of 343 per thousand against one of 17-5 for the cor. responding week last year, the rate for the week ending May 28th being 22·6 against 18·5, The Board then went into committee to cou- sider the estimates.
Many Chinese shopkeepers have been in the habit of eking out their incomes by letting their doorways to vendors in a small way. So general has the custom become that consider able inconvenience is caused to the public by these obstructions of the footpaths, and ac- cordingly the police have taken the matter np. Sergeant Dymond has warned a great many offenders, and at the Magistracy on 1st June gave evidence against five, each of whom was fined $5.
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May 7
14
97 ...127 109 ...119 114 ...164 133 .179 157 21
..112 107 28
63 61 During the present week the daily returns have been as follows :-
"
May 29
35
多
30
31
June 1
2
Cases. Deaths.
11. 10
14
17
8
12
4
9
6
THE CAINE ROAD MURDER.
OZORIO COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.
At the Magistracy on 2nd June, before Com. mander Hastings, Joan da Matta Ozorio, clerk, was charged on remand with the wilful murder of Francisco Xavier de Jesus on the evening of May 9th. Mr. A. G. Romano (Portuguese Consul-General) again occupied a seat on the bench. Mr. Grist (Messrs. Wilkinson and Grist) appeared for defendant.
**
Inspector Hanson said-At 7.35 p.m. on the 9th of May I was in the charge room at the Central Police Station. I saw defendant enter by the door followed by witness Xavier and P.C. 631. As defendant advanced towards the bar he said in English "I have killed a man.' He Was detained and I left the station, making for No. 2, West Terrace. After the removal of the body and the searching of the verandah I returned to the station and procured the key of defendant's room. The key had been procured from defendant by Sergeant Gid- ley. I then went to No. 3, Caine road, to the rooms on the first floor which had been occupied by defendant. I found the wooden desk pro. duced there, and I took from the desk and from u drawer in a dressing table 12 letters, which I Од produce together with the translations. returning to the Police Station at about eleven o'clock the same night defendant was formally charged with the murder of Mr. Jesus. I read the charge over to him twice and cautioned him. As the man came in speaking English and as we conversed in English I took it that he understood the charge. I proceeded to take down what he was about to say, and then I determined to have a Portuguese interpreter. I accordingly sent for Mr. Pereira, who has acted as interpreter in the case since.
Miss Portario recalled, identified several of the letters produced as being in her hand. writing, and certain press copies of letters as in the handwriting of defendant.
Mr. Pereira said he had made the translations produced and they were correct.
When asked by Commander Hastings of he had anything to say,
[June 4, 1898,
"Industrial Undertakings. - Satisfactory evidence of the progress of the colony as an industrial centre is afforded by the establish- ment of the new kerosine depot, at North Point, the capacity of which is already being largely increased, and by the operations which are in active progress for the construction of a cement factory at Kowloon, cotton mills at East Point, and an extension of the Dook Com. pany's premises at Kowloon,
Improvements, Recreation Ground, Happy Valley. A considerable area of the extension of the Recreation Ground was turfed over and rendered available for use towards the end of the year.
The delay in undertaking the diversion of the nullah where it crosses the extension has been due to the non-arrival of ironwork ordered from England in connection with the work, which is probably accounted for. by the engineers' strike.
Gaol Extension. The alterations of the old gaol buildings have been begun by pulling down the Wing, (known as D. Wing), which projected in an oblique direction into the south. west yard. This will admit of the erection of a convenient workshop, containing two floors, where the manufacture of matting, &c., can be carried on by the prisoners. Good progress is being made with the conversion of the associat- ed cells into single cells and other minor improvements, the work being performed as far as possible with prison labour. A system of mains and hydrants has been laid throughout the old and new gaol premises for the purposes of fire extinction.
Taipingshan Improvement. Very satisfac tory progress has been made with the laying out of the resumed area. Most of the lots are now available for the erection of buildings, and a contract has been entered into which provides for the formation of the whole of the remaining lots. It is hoped that the work will be com- pleted by about the middle of 1898, with the exception of the surfacing of some of the streets. and lanes, which it may be considered prudent to dolay until after the houses have been built."
The following list is given of public works which must be considered and if possible provided for within the next few years:-
BUILDINGS.
The New Law Courts, the New Post Office and Treasury, a residence for the Governor at the Peak, improved and increased accommodation
for the Police both at the East and West ends. of the city, and a New Harbour Master's Office will absorb all available funds for building pur- poses for many years to come. It is therefore unnecessary to mention other minor wanta. The above are undoubtedly the most pressing.
ROADS.
The completion of MacDonnell Road to its hand uext year. The plans for it are ready. A junction with Kennedy Road should be taken in road from Wanchai Gap round the south side of Mounts Nicholson and Cameron to Wongnei- chong Gap would be a very desirable addition to the roads in the Peak District, and would open up a beautiful part of the country, making ac- cess to Taitam and the eastern parts of the island from the higher levels easy. The comparative-· ly level road from Plantation Road Station to
Defendant replied, "Nothing, sir." He was then committed to take his trial on the Magazine Gap, to be completed in 1898, will charge of wilful murder.
THE PUBLIC WORKS REPORT FOR 1897.
The annual report of the Director of Public Works for 1897 is published in the Gazette. The Hon. I. D. Ormsby, who signs the report, did not arrive until October, and he quotes from a report submitted by Mr. Chatham, who w18 in charge of the department as Acting Director of Public Works for the greater part of the year, giving details of work done under the different headings and including Mr. Malsch's report on Crown lands and Mr. Crook's report on water and drainage works.
+
The report is a very full one and extremely interesting, but its great length and technical character prevent our reproducing it in full. We make the following brief extracts :--
"An area of 16 acres at Deep Water Bay has, with the consent of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, been leased to the Royal Hongkong Golf Club for the purposes of a golf links subject to an annual rental of $100,
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much improve the latter locality as affording. easier means of reaching Victoria by 'ricksha and tram, and may possibly lead to further build- ing of European residences beyond Wanchai Gap to which this road will give access.
The possibility of constructing a road from Victoria Gap, level, or at an easy gradient, to the saddle between Victoria Peak and High West, and then down by the north face of the mountain to a point on the Peak Road, should be ascertained. Such a road would give access to splendid building sites.
The Victoria Jubilee Road round the Island will soon be in progress and its completion in a few years will prove an immense boon to the whole population of the colony, European and native. If followed, as no doubt it will be in time, by a road side tramway, the overcrowding of Victoria will probably be relieved by many of the better class of Chinese and Eurasians moving out to the suburbs.
The roads in Kowloon are being pushed on, and should be liberally provided for annually, until the Yaumati Road on the West, and the Hung Hom Road on the East respectively