460
different seats. The menus represented on the face an American flag in colours and a gold finished eagle. In varied type was the following; - Consul Williams' Thanksgiving Dinner, offered to the American Commanders, in the residence of Mr. G. Halimaun. Manila, Calzada de Iris 17. Thursday, 24th Nov., 1898." On the reverse was America for ever."
Speeches were not to be in order although everybody would have been pleased to hear from three or four of the guests.
**
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS ANDĮ
of opinion that the night watchman may be | dispensed with.
The duty of the three watchmen at the en- trance to the slaughter-house is to see that no animal not marked (orin the case of swine passed) fit for slaughter is introduced into the slaughter house.
[Décember 3, 1898.
factory indeed. In the dry weather, a very large number of garments belonging various families and different owners were washed in the same water over and over again and he thought the Board would learn with much pleasure that at last a beginning was to be made to put the condi- tions under which European clothing was washed These watchmen appear to be untrust on a more satisfactory basis. The reason he worthy. On the day that we visited the slaugh- wanted to see the plans, was that in the scheme ter house oue of them was detected in proposed by the Medical Officer of Health there allowing a dead pig to be passed into the slaugh.was a little sketch plan accompanying it which ter house, and we understand from Mr. Ladds showed the tanks arranged on a system which that he has reason to believe that this breach was capable of being adopted and passed and of their duty is a common occurrence.
then indefinitely extended. Of course if the "We have after careful consideration come soheme of the Director of Public Works was on to the conclusion that it is waste of money to similar lines, and if after spending $5,000 it retain these watchmen, and we recommend that, would be possible to go on adding to the tanks. as suggested by Mr. Ladds, their services be which would really have to be done if adequate dispensed with at the end of the current year, accommodation was to be provided the scheme This will result in a saying in respect of the was a very desirable one. He moved that the salaries paid them of $90 per month.
Government be asked to forward the plans and the fullest information of the scheme to the Board for its information and consideration.
At the conclusion Consul Williams made some interesting remarks in which he thanked the Admiral and his Captains, the General and his Generals and the Englishmen and other foreigners for their presence. He pointed lu the American flag aud said he hoped it would always wave in the Philippines. (Applause.) Continuing he touched on the kindly attitude of England toward America during the late disturbances, and spoke of the honour and love that they bad won in the hearts of all Am- We have examined the system in force at ericans. (Applause.) Finally, coming to the the depots and slaughter house of checking the subject of the day, he hoped the present dis-number of animals passed into the depots with tinguished inauguration of thanksgiving would the numbers slaughtered and passed out, and not be in vain and that the feast would be with the additional checks suggested by Mr. observed for all time in the Philippines.
Ladds in the case of cattle and sheep of check The guests and host were seated in the following daily the carcases when marked and the ing-order:
Admiral Dewey
Consul O. F. Williams.
General McArthur ·
Capt. Dyer, Baltimore
General Anderson
Capt. oghla, Raleigh Brig. Gen. Heeves
Lt. Brunesreuther, - apt of Porf British Consul Ramsde
G. Cadell, Smith, Bell & Co..
Capt. Singer, Manila
H. D. C. Jones, HK. & S. Bank J. MoLeod
J. T. McCutcheon, Chicago
Record
E. L. Jones, Assoc, Press E. Wildman, Vice. onsul, H.K. Major St.mberg, U.S.A. Col. Moulure, Paymr.-Gen. P.G. McDonnell, N. T. Journal Brig. Gen. Hale
Capt Leutse, Monterey
Lt. ailey, Signal Corps Belgian Consul Andree Capt. Walker, Concord Towen, Keuter's Agent
haplain Flemming Gen. Ovenshine
F. Brooks, Ed. American Mr. Warner
W. R. Vail, P.-M. General Capt. Lamberton,
Olympia
Gen. Otis, U.S.V.
♬ G. Hallmann. Consul Ramsden, in replying to a toast to his nation, said he had studied the attitude of nations during the late war with Spain, and the relations between his country and America were such as to please him very much. The friend- ship was most natural. Two countries bound by ties of blood, speech, government, commerce, and unity of aim could not fail to be allied. Though greater statesmen and lawyers than he had advocated it none did so with more warm personal interest. (Applause).
fresh skins with the numbers passed up for slaughter, we are of opinion that the system is probably as good as it can be made. That it is not perfect is quite obvious, for an animal might be taken to the slaughter-house, dressed, and passed out again without ever appearing on the records kept at the depots and without coming under the cognisance of the inspector in charge.
"To make the system perfect it is necessary that there should be at the slaughter-house trustworthy and constant European supervision to see that no animal's admitted for slaughter in an irregular manner. To provide such supervision would entail additional expense which at the present time we feel it is useless to recommend.
1
Mr. DYER BALL, in seconding, said it was most important in a colony like this that they should have their clothing washed in a sanitary method. World there be any guarantee that, the coolies would change the water frequently? Could supervision be exercised over them.
to put this in force? If it could it would be a use ful thing.
The motion was carried.
MORTALITY RETURNS, The mortality returns for the colony of Hong- kong for the week ending Nov. 12th show death-rate of 192, against 15.3 for the previous week and 184 for the corresponding week last
year.
The returns for the following week show a death-rate of 18′2, against 23 last year.
The returns for Macao show 49 deaths for the week ending November 13th and 38 for the following week.
The Board then adjourned.
MACÃO.
The islands
"To place, however, the existing European supervision at the depots and slaughter-house
To anyone who knows anything of Malacoa, at Kennedytown, and at the markets ou
our settlement in the Straits Settlements, Macao better footing, we agree with Mr. Ladds that it is revives reminiscences by no means strange. desirable to devote a portion of the saving effected Situated forty miles from Hongkong, Macao by reducing the staff of watchmen to increasing affords easy means of access. the salaries of the inspector in charge of the de- opposite. the bay encircling the place, silted up pots and slaughter-house and in charge of mar.
miles in front, as if to defy an enemy to do its kets and we recommend that the salaries of both
worst in attempting to enter the settlement, officers be raised to $120 a month each. This with its muddy river on the side, though the will place both officers on an equal footing and latter is easy of access, in contradiction will render it possible for them to interchange duties for certain periods as may be directed, which will in itself be a safe-guard. ;
Malacca, are there to remind the traveller of facts which stand in singular contrast with the past glory of Portugal in the Straits AS
Admiral Dewey complimented Consul Andree on his activity during the blockade, and many expressions of triendship were exchanged. At five o'clock the guests adjourned.
HONGKONG SANITARY BOARD. The fortnightly meeting of the Hongkong Sanitary Board was held on 1st December, after they have been dressed and checking such | tugal so visible still eitber at Residency Hill
:
"We consider the present salaries of these officers too small considering the responsible positious they hold and the many temptations they are exposed to, and with the withdrawal of the watchmen at the slaughter-honse and the introduction of the system of marking carcases
marks subsequently in the markets their duties and responsibilities will be increased.
when there were present the President (Dr. J. M. Atkinson, Principal Civil Medical Officer), the Vice-president (the Hon. F. H. May,
But although the measures above recom. Captain Superintendent of Police), Mr. J. Dyer mended may, and we think will, if adopted Ball (Acting Registrar-General), and Dr. Clark induce improvement in supervision of the (Medical Officer of Health and Acting Secre-flesh food of the colony we must place on record tary).
-THE FOOD SUPPLY OF THE COLONY. Messrs. May and Osborne, the sub-Committee appointed to enquire into the question of the atility or otherwise of further employing the night watchman at the Cattle Depot and the three watchmen at present on duty at the en- trance gate to he slaughter-house at Kennedy town during the 24 hours in shifts of eight hours each, reported:-
"The night watchman at the Cattle Depot is on duty from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. inside the depot. Mr. Ladds informs us that, as far as he can ascertain, the watchman was placed there to look after the cattle during the night. As the gate to the depot is locked and the key of it kept by the European inspector of the Cattle Depot and slaughter-house during the hours of the watchman's duty, and as the cattle are all passed and marked as fit for food before they
in the are placed in to depot, there appears little danger of their being tampered with at night. -Certain Chinese employés at the depots sleep within the enclosure of the Cattle Depot who could attend to or give the alarm of any dis- turbance among the cattle. We are therefore
|
our emplat.c opinion that this all-important item of the food supply of the community can never be effectually safeguarded as long as the slaughterhouses, and especially that at Ken nedytown, are in the hands of a Chinese fore. nan. We are therefore strongly of opinion that at the next opportunity the slaughterhouse at Kennedytown should be brought under the di- rect control of the Sanitary Board as recom- inended in C.8.0 1,410, 1898."
AN APPLICATION REFUSED.
An application to retain water-closets at the Ice Factory, East Point, had been received.
The VICE PRESIDENT said he adhered to the policy laid down by the Board and acted upou up to date. He, therefore, moved that the application be refused.
Dr. CLARK seconded and the motion was carried.
÷
PROPOSED WASHING TANKS AT TAI HANG, Papers were submitted dealing with proposed washing tanks at Tai Hang village.
The VICE-PRESIDENT said there was no doubt that the conditions under which the clothing of the European community was washed at the prosent time was very unsatis
ments. The churches on hillocks, some of disused, the forts scattered about, showing that Portugal's greatness lies in its weakness and the numerous buildings erected according to Portu- guese style of architecture, all tend to portray to the traveller that former grandeur of Por
Tranquerah, or Bandar Hilir in Malacca. Any portion of the latter spot places figuratively before one the waning colonial power of the Portuguese whenever placed in juxtaposition near contrast with or to British enterprise or neighbourhood. Malacca stands to Singapore what Macao does to Hongkong. Contrast therefore the relative positions of the first in regard to the second and the third in regard to the fourth-decadence in both places. As Singapore opened up, so Malacca declined; and reversing the tables, as Hongkong flourished so has Macao sunk. To the ignorant mind cause and effect may prove a difficult problem, but to the Britisher the reason is easy of solution, and that lies in our mode of Government, founded upon laws, as against other nationalities whose laws, manners, and customs differ so very widely from ours. Conservative as to their own ideas and religion as some of our competitors have been, they have ever failed to adapt themselves to the locus in quo wherever they have set- tled. Who can doubt, therefore, as to their failure in competition and their ill-success when placed in juxtaposition with ourselves P Macao forms no exception. We have here the very proof, if such were needed, of the want of energy, forethought, and persistence so peculiar to our people. The Portuguese in Macao, though they have now free trade in a compara- tively well laid out city, streets and squares reminding one more of the West than of