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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
[November 19, 1889,
prohibit the importation of dogs from other places.
Hon. R. D. OEMSBY-Nothing short of that would be any good here.
and life of the expeditions, the church through the Governor in Council to make bye-laws 18 Dr. CLARK-At Singapore they absolutely its active, shrewd, and exacting representatives has grown and spread until its mighty body has covered and brought under its sway the entire islands. Wherever white men have ventured its power has been felt. Captains-General, Governors, and the highest civil and military anthorities have canse to remember its might through depositions and recalls. It is common knowledge that the Archbishop was the real ruler of Manila.
schedule A, 17 schedule B, and 29 and 30 schedule C, which have been approved by the Acting At torney-General, as intra vires. (2) That the question of an amending Ordinance to provide the further powers required by the Colonial Veterinary Surgeon for the protection of the meat supply of the colony be referred to the committee of the Board which was appointed to report on the question of abolishing the watch men at the slaughter-houses."
Reflect for a moment on the stirring times On the motion of Dr. CLARK, seconded by just preceeding and following the memorable the PRESIDENT, the first portion of the resolu- May lat. Into every action, into every thought tion was adopted. The second portion was post. enters the all powerful clergy. Visit the proponed until the special committee has printed vinces, see in even the most insignificant pueblos its report. the great towering piles of masonry, built of the finest stone and finished in the richest woods the islands know--and one can have but Httle
doubt as to the domineering element. Of the enormous good or of the undeniable evil that has been brought about through its influence it is not our intention to discuss in this article; rather let us see if it is well for this to remain in case the Philippines become American ter- ritory.
If Spain loses the islands the Spaniards will go. With but few exceptions the Spaniards in the archipelago are officials, military, naval, and civil. The great mass is naturally the soldiery, which is now without employment and willing and anxious to return home. Spain's commercial interest, harassed and almost des.
troyed through the late revolutions and war, is bound up in a handful of men in a few coast towns. It is not likely that they will wish to remain and face equal competition, after having enjoyed monopolies that were protected by all sorts of restrictions against foreigners.
The business of local Spaniards amounts to comparatively very little. In the short time already passed, competition on an equal basis has placed new interests away ahead of the old ones. American capital has begun to flow into the country and under American rule foreign investment will rapidly follow. There is not space here to develope this question, but we believe it is quite clear that unless Spanish business and energy loses all its old time characteristics the new blood will simply freeze
them out.
With the exodus of the Spaniards the use for the Spanish priests will be greatly mini- mized. Native priests are proving very satis- factory all through Aguinaldo's territory; they are of the people, understand them, and have enjoyed the advantages of study under Spanish masters. English speaking people want Eng lish speaking ministers. The United States is the home of religious toleration; will it be possible for the clergy here to adapt themselves to the changed conditions, from a state of ab-
solute Roman Catholicism to one of greatest toleration ? The reconciliation will be hard.
All honour to those who deserve it, and we do
not lose sight of the enormous debt the country owes to the clergy, but with the passing of the Spanish rule the value of the Spanish priest seems to bear company.
Let new men, new priests, come with the new people; let the old honoured, beloved religion be respected, but under the guidance of new disciples.
HONGKONG SANITARY BOARD. A meeting of the Hongkong Sanitary Board was held on 17th November. The President (Dr. J. M. Atkinson, Principal Civil Medical Officer) occupied the chair, and there were also present: the Hon. R. D. Ormsby (Director of Public Works), Mr. J. Dyer Ball (Acting Registrar-General), Mr. E. Osborne, and Dr. F. W. Clark (Medical Officer of Health and Acting Secretary).
THE CATTLE, ETC., BYE-LAWB,
The proposed bye-laws for the regulation of cattle diseases, markets, and slaughter-houses were again mentioned,
Dr. CLARK said it was a practice prevalent on the Continent and in some cities in England to stamp meat passed as suitable for human food. Meat was now being stamped but as there was no power to deal with unstamped meat there was nothing to safeguard the public health in this respect,
The following resolution had been drafted by Dr. Clark:—(1) "That the Board recommenda
PRECAUTIONS AGAINST HYDROPHOBIA.
The proposed restrictions in regard to the importation of dogs into the colony with a view to the prevention of the introduction of rabies came up for discussion.
Dr. CLARK said there was an Ordinance That Ordinance was originally intended more Ordinance 9 of 1893-which dealt with rabies, particularly to give power to muzzle dogs.
The PRESIDENT—It was after the outbreak of hydrophobia in 1892.
Dr. CLARK-No.
+
Mr. DYER BALL-I think we ought to have some Ordinance of that sort. I think the colony should be protected in some way against the introduction of hydrophobia, which is a most frightful thing. I second the proposition. The resolution drafted by Dr. CLARK Was passed with the alteration suggested by the Hon. R. D. Ormsby.
AN OBSTRUCTIVE BUILDING. Gorrespondence was submitted concerning the removal of a building which obstructs the on- trance to the lane known as Lan Kwai Fong, the building in question being No. 58, D'Agui- lar Street.
On the motion of Dr. CLARK, Beconded by the Hou. R. D OBMBBY, a resolution was passed to the effect that the Board was of opinion that the obstruction should be removed at the end of the lease in December.
INSPECTOR WATSON'S QUARTERS. Further correspondence concerning an applic- Dr. CLARK-Section 5 says:-"The Govation from Inspector Watson for rent allowance ernor in Council may from time to time make, in lieu of quarters was submitted. Dr. Clark, and when made revoke or vary, such regulations on behalf of the Board, wrote the Acting Co- sary or expedient for enforcing under penalties Inspector Watson be granted an allowance of as may seem to the Governor in Council neces-
lonial Secretary on Oct. 21st recommending that
made to the police of all cases of rabies or not exceeding ten dollars, prompt report being $30 a month in lieu of quarters, the Board being of opinion that the quarters provided in the suspected rabies and for prescribing the condi- Central Market are unfit for residence for a tions under and in accordance with which dogs European. may be kept in this colony or allowed to go abroad in the public thoroughfares or elsewhere, and for seizing, detaining, destroying or other wise dealing with or disposing of any dogs kept and in accordance with such conditions." He or allowed to go abroad, otherwise than under had seen the Crown Solicitor about the word. ing of this section, and it appeared to be doubt. ful whether the importation of dogs could be
described as "the conditions under and in ac- cordance with which dogs may be kept in this colony. However, it was a matter for the At torney-General to decide whether a new rule would be sufficient or whether it would be neces- sary to have a new Ordinance.
have to have a new Ordinance.
Mr. DYER BALL-I should think we shall
to this matter had been circulated the matter Dr. CLARK said that since the papers relating had been settled.
REPORTS OF THE ACTING SANITARY SURVEYOR.
The reports of the Acting Sanitary Surveyor (Mr Drury) for the second and third quarters of 1898 were submitted. The report for the second quarter is dated August 27th, and says plans were deposited for the re-drainage of 127 houses, plans for 397 houses were carried for- ward from 1897, and 139 from the previous quarter, making a total of 663 in hand during the quarter. The re-drainage of 11 houses Was completed, leaving 652 to carry forward. Repairs to drainage arrangements were carried out in 43 instances and 90 bouses were carried for ward. This made a total of 133 houses in hand- for repairs during the quarter. The drains of 235 houses were inspected and reported upon as being defective. Of this number 96 re- quired reconstruction and 139 repairing. No- tices were served to do the necessary work. The report for the third quarter is dated October of the year go from Hongkong to Shanghai and 26th. It says plans were deposited for the re- come back again. They are taken up by men drainage of 267 houses, plans for 279 houses were who go north shooting. How would you get carried forward from last quarter, making a to the mainland and bringing it back again?re drainage of 66 houses was completed, leaving over the difficulty of a man taking a dog over total of 801 in hand during the quarter. The
Dr. CLARK-That was my impression. Hon, R. D. ORMSBY-It seems to me section 5 would not prevent a man from bringing a dog into the colony; it would prevent him keeping it in the colony.
few dogs imported from Shanghai.
The PRESIDENT-I believe there are very
Hon. R. D. ORMSBY-Far more at this season
That is done every week.
735 to carry forward. Repairs to drainage ar- Dr. CLARE-I have drafted a resolution here rangements were carried out in 37 instances and which does not commit the Board to anything. 224 houses were carried forward. This made a It says: "That this Board recommends the Go- total of 261 houses in hand for repair during the vernment to introduce an Ordinance empowering quarter. The drains of 269 houses were inspected the Board to prohibit for definite periods the and reported on. Of this number 142 required re- importation of dogs from places at which hydro-construction, 122 amending, and five were found phobia is reported to exist and also empowering to be in good order. Notices were served on the them to make bye-laws for regulating generally owners of 264 houses calling on them to execute the importation of dogs into the colony." At the necessary work. present we have no power to prevent the im- portation of dogs. We know hydrophobia is at Shanghai and yet we have no power to prevent dogs from being brought from there to here, and I think we ought to have.
Hon. R. D. ORMSBY suggested that the power should be given to the Governor in Council rather than to the Sanitary Board.
Dr. CLARK said he had no objection to make the alteration suggested, but the Sanitary Board was responsible for the health of the colony and that was why he had inserted it in the resolution. He added that we had had no hydrophobia in Hongkong for the last four years.
Mr. DYER BALL-Still we have had cases,
and there is no reason for believing we shall not have some again.
Dr. CLARK--We are clear now. If we get it again we may never get rid of it.
Hon. R. D. ORMSEY-Have you got the Bingapore regulations P
The Acting Sanitary Surveyor, in a report dated September 30th submitted the following statement of work executed under the select committee appointed on the 19th of May, 1898, to deal with the redrainage of insanitary houses:-" Since the 3rd of June, the date on which the Assistant Sanitary Surveyor com- pleted his plague duties, 504 houses have been inspected. The owners of 499 of these have been called on either to re-lay or amend their drains; 23 of this number have been executed the remainder being in hand and all due for completion within one month. Owing to necessary delay in preparing various notice forms, etc., the first notice was not served until make 4th July. It has only been necessary to prosecutions in five instances which have been decided in favour of the Board, resulting in fines in one case to $155. I would mention in justice to Mr. Bryan,
the Assistant Sanitary Surveyor, that the onus of this work (viz., inspections, reports, and supervision in exeon,
the
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