September 10, 1898. |
for a considerable time. Such, however, was hot the case.
Dr. Lowson seconded and the motion was carried.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
sight of. During the last outbreak of cattle disease they tried the experiment and were most unfortunate. If this crematorium could be made useful in both ways it was certainly desirable that the Government should take some steps.
Dr. CLARK-We spent $153 in burning the carcase of a cow, and in consequence of that we wrote to Japan for particulars of the cre- matoriums there.
The VICE-PRESIDENT said that in his
opinion the motion of Dr. Lowson was far too indefinite. He did not think the Government would have the least idea what they were driving at. Their idea at first was to secfire the means of burning diseased carcaseS. Members now were inclined to recommend the Govern-
ļ ment to institute a private crematorium for the use of such section of the com- munity as might care to avail themselves of it. He saw no objection to that. The report from Japan showed that the crematoriums there paid their way, and it was possible that with an increasing Indian population and with the assistance of Dr. Lowson and those of his friends who would like to be cremated when they died a small crematorium might pay here. He did not think, however, that they could decently use the same crematorium for human beings that they used for cattle. He proposed as an amendment:-"That the Board recom- mend the Government to erect a small crema- torium for the purpose of burning the bodies of cattle dead of infectious disease, and also on a separate site a small public crematorium for the use of such sections of the public as may desire to avail themselves of it."
Mr. BALL, in seconding, said the initiative was taken for the distruction of diseased car- cases, and he questioned whether the colony was ready for the wholesale introduction of crema-
THE CREMATORIUM QUESTION. A report drawn up by Mr. Assistant Parlett on the crematorium at Nippon-Mura, Tokio, was submitted. The report said that within the limits of the Tokyo In there are six different crematoriums. All the property of one company, the declared capital of which is about 530,000 yen, of which only 170,000 yen have been subscribed. Of these places the biggest is situated at Nippon-Mura on the road to Ap. The burning chambers numbered about 30. There are six chambers at the en- trance of the burning hall, nsed for the recep- tion of a limited number of bodies when the burning chambers are filled. Cremation is only permitted at night time and with care as many as 40 bodies can be burnt at one time. As soon, therefore, as a burning chamber becomes vacant a body can be transferred to it from one of the receptacles at the entrance. The body in its rough wooden coffin is placed on a thick grid- iron extending nearly the whole length of the chamber and fire-wood is piled into a recess at the back. With forced draught the heat gene. rated by this when lighted is sufficient within a few hours to completely consume the body. An average of something over 70 lbs of wood is required for complete cremation, though this amount varies with the body to be burned. It is for instance found that fat people burn far more easily than thin, and women who have died in child birth are most easily cremated, while persons who have died of consumption require more time and more wood than any others. The time varies from three to six hours. The total number of employés at these six places is 23, thirteen of whom are coolies whose duties Lo wholly in the cremating hall itself. Theretion at present said the Vice-President had are five at Nippon-Mura, who together Dr. Lowson with two inferior officials of the company draw wages amounting altogether to about 53 yen. If necessary the number at this latter place can be augmented by detailing coolies from the other five crematoriums, and vice versa. The average wage of the coolies actually employed in cremation would appear to range from between five and seven yen per month. The following is the tariff of charges-First class, adults, 8 yen; children and women dying in child-birth six yen. Second class, adults 3:50, children and women dying in child-birth 2-75. Third class, adults two yen, children 130, women dying in child-birth one yen, Paupers and dissected bodies sent from the hospitals are cremated for half the ordinary third class charge. The smoke from the burning bodies is carried by forced draught along a passage passing over the tops of the burning chambers into a large flue lined with redhot coke, and there consumed. Such small residue-practically none as may be left passes out of the main chimney, which is 60 feet high. The Crema- torium Company is under the supervision and control of the police authorities, who are a party to all the rules of the establishment. For the first half of the fiscal year of 1898 a total profit of 8,533 yen was made at the crematoriums. Daring the first six months of this year 2,983 bodies were cremated at Nippon-Mura, 165 of which were the corpses of people who had died of infectious diseases. The busiest part of the year was during the summer months.
Dr. Lowson thought this was a very import ant subject, and that they ought to impress apon the Government the view that a small crematorium should be built here. A large number of Europeans here, he was convinced, would like to be cremated, but they could not do it, as they had not the accommodation. Not only that, but the action taken by the Eu- ropeans in regard to cremation would help to get Chinese to agree to the cremation of some of their dead bodies. He moved, That the Sanitary Board desire to impress upon the Government the desirability of introducing means of cremation in the colony, and to obtain plans and estimates for a suitable building for that purpose."
Hon. R. D. ORMSBY, in seconding, thought the original idea of the Board in applying for these particulars was to see if they could not arrange for the burning of diseased carcases. He thought this should not be lost
made a joke at his exponse, but he might say that many European residents had expressed
their opinion to him that a crematorium should be established in the European interests for European people.
Ou the matter being put to the vote the amendment was carried.
THE RECENT EPIDEMIC,
Correspondence was submitted having refer- ence to the assistance rendered by Chinese officials in Kowloon during the recent outbreak of bubonic plague. A letter from the British Consul at Canton said that the Viceroy had directed that they should all receive one re- cord for great merit."
HOUBES NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
BUILDING ORDINANCE.
|
A report by Dr. Clark was submitted con. cerning some houses recently erected at Hok- au-Hok. He said he found that they had not been built in accordance with the provisions of the Building and Public Health Ordinance.
Dr. Lowson-May I ask where this place is? The VICE-PRESIDENT-Behind Hungbom, where Messrs. Shewan, Tomes, and Co are put- ting up cement works.
#
Dr. CLARK-It is about three-quarters of a mile to the north-west of Hunghom.
Mr. OSBORNE-When these houses are com- pleted and before they can be occupied have they to be passed by the Board's survefor?
Dr. CLARK—Yes.
Mr. OSBORNE-May I ask if they have passed?
Dr. CLARK—Yes.
Mr. OSBORNE -Why?
been
219
pression of the Board's regret that it was rot stipulated that these houses should be built in accordance with the Building and Public Health Ordinance and that we enquire what steps the Government propose to take to cause the houses to be put in a condition in accordance with the provision of this Ordinance.
Dr. CLARK-No plans have been submitted. They appear to have been erected in an irregular way. Officially the Board does not know of their existence.
The VICE-PRESIDENT said it appeared that these houses took the place of a village which had had to be displaced. As far as he could gather from enquiries the villagers got com- pensation from the Government for disturbance, He did not know what conditions were laid down, but they went to this place and built these new houses.
Dr. Lowsox-Of what?
The VICE-PRESIDENT-Of stone.
Dr. Lowson seconded.
Hon. R. D. ORMSBY said he was not going to propose un amendment but he was not going to vote for the motion, because he felt pretty strongly on the question. He thought it was as absurd to make some these Ordinances apply to outside villages as it would be to make the laws of London apply to the villages of Conne-
mara.
The VICE-PRESIDENT said these particular houses would not bear any comparison with those on a hillside at Connemara, they being removed only a short distance from what would probably become before very long a large manufacturing suburb of the city.
Dr. CLARK-They were allowed to quarry stone free of cost. I understand that all they had to purchase was the lime.
The VICE-PRESIDENT—I move that the re- port be forwarded to Government with an ex.
The motion was carried.
WATER SAMPLÊS. Reports by the analyst on samples of water from wells in Shaukiwan Road and at Jardine's Lodge, East Point, were submitted, and it was decided to close one of them.
BOMBAY PLAGUE RETURNS,
A return from Bombay showed that from August 3rd to August 15th, inclusive, 205 plague cases were reported in the city and 173 deaths.
MACAO MORTALITY RETURNS. The Macao mortality returns showed that during the week ended August 21st there were 53 deaths and for the following week 60.
HONGKONG MORTALITY RETURNS.
The Hongkong mortality returns showed that for the week ended August 27th the death
ing week last year. The rate for the following rate was 17-9 per thousand against 183 for the previous week, and 141 for the correspond- week was 19-1, against 194 for the correspond. ing week last year.
The proceedings theu terminated.
THE RISING IN HAINAN,
The position at Nodos continues critical and reinforcements for the Imperial troops are anxiously looked for. holding its own, but is not strong enough to The small garrison is effectually rout the enemy.
On the 14th August the rebels, over a thous- and strong, divided themselves into six com- panies and made an attack on the small force of Commandant Hong, at Kingchow, with the ob- ject of obtaining possession of the Imperial arms and ammunition. Commandant Hong met the enemy with four divisions, and a sharp action ensued, in which the rebels lost between ten and twenty killed and from forty to fifty wounded, besides a number of firearms and flags. The action took place near the house recently vacated by the American Presbyterian Mission, and on the mandarin soldiers rushing the place they killed several rebels in it.
The only one wounded on the Imperial side was Captain Chow, of the left guard, who, while pursning the rebels in Nodoa market, was shot, but the wound is not of a dangerous char-
acter.
Commandant Hong has taken up a position at a place named Woshis, to await reinforce- ments, for which he is very anxious. His force is not much more than a hundred strong and Nodoa being a large place he is afraid that he may not be able to protect it and the neighbour- ing mission premises against the rebels, The missionaries vacated their house on the 13th August, leaving it to the protection of the authorities. They have sent dispatches to Can- ton representing the urgent necessity of rein- forcements, and Consul Bedloe has repeatedly brought the matter to the notice of the Viceroy.
I
The boatmen at Fatshan struck the other day, on account of the opening of the water- ways to steam navigation, and pelted with stones every steam-launch that made its appear. ance and the junks and malang boats that did not join in the strike. The gentry intervened in the matter, with the result that traffle was resumed on the 2nd inst.