12
"I next made investigation at the various druggist shops in that town and found that familiar prescriptions containing drugs which are said to be specific cures for plague are occa- sionally being sent to them to be dispensed.
"On my way to Canton I visited many villages along the river, but I was unable to obtain any reliable information regarding the existence of plague, and I did not see any signs of mourning over the doors of houses in those villages.
"On the 30th I again called on Dr. Kerr for further information, but he had seen no reason to change, the opinion he expressed three days previously.
“1 next made investigation in Honam, Fong Chuen, and Fatei, and learned that there has been a good deal of intermittent fever and respiratory disease among the inhabitants, but I heard of no plague.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND Legislative Council fixing the charge for cattle at any of the cattle depots at two cents per head per day, which up to the present time had been
the usual fee. -
The Bye-laws of 1895 were, on the motion of Dr. CLARK, seconded by the VICE-PRESIDENT, repealed, and on the motion of the TRESIDENT, seconded by the VICE-PRESIDENT, it was decided to submit to the Legislative Council amended Bye-laws incorporating the suggestion of Mr. Ladds.
MORTALITY RETURNS.
The mortality statistics for the colony of Hongkong for the week ended December 17th show a death rate of 15'3, against 25.1 for the previous week and 177 for the corresponding week last year. The rate for the succeeding week was 183, against 187 for the correspond. ing week last year.
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The mortality returns for Macao showed 5 "A. salt merchant in whose Louse I was stay-deaths for the week ended December 11th and ing in Canton, showed me a letter which he 62 for the succeeding week. had recently received from a partner in Shin The Board then adjourned. Kwan, near the north border of Kwang-tung Province, containing a statement that plague is very prevalent there and that about 3,000 of the inhabitants have died of it, but the letter did not mention within what period the deaths had occurred.
"The conclusions I draw from this enquiry are(1) That there has been no plague or only sporadic cases in Canton since the last epidemic in the spring of 1898; (2) that the rumours of the presence of an infectious disease in Canto and the nighbouring villages have arisen from the prevalence of influenza and malarial fevers; (3) that sporadic cases of plague are occurring in Fatshan and its vicinity; (4) that plague probably exists to some extent along the North River. Regarding this Dr Lowson will probably be able to give some information."
Mr. J. DYER BALL had given notice of his intention of moving the following resolution:- "That in view of the alleged recrudescence of bubonic plagne in Canton and its neighbourhood the Government be asked to take steps for the medical inspection of passengers from Canton whether arriving by river steamer or by native craft." He said he thought it would be seen that he did not move without some cause and did not act the part of a mere alarmist, because he held in his hand a letter which he received a few days ago quite spontaneously from a gentle- man in Canton. The gist of the letter he had given in his note. He might add that the writer also stated in a postcript, It is quite possible there are more cases than the Chinese care to admit, as they seem to me to conceal rather than make known the existence of
plague." He would beg leave to call atten- tion to a slight error made by one of the members of the Board at the previous meet- ing. This member said inspection had proved utterly futile. He believed, however, that five cese of plague were discovered in the course of the inspection. Having said this much, in the face of the report of Dr. Chung and the letter from the British consul he begged to withdraw his notice of motion. At the same time he thought there was evidence that the plague was in the neighbourhord of Canton. The report of Dr. Chung said that several hundreds bad died at Shin Kwan. This was some distance from Canton and a long way from Hongkong, so that there was no dan er of its reaching here from there. But they ought to keep constant watch. If the plague in the province mentioned increased from a sporadic to an epidemic form Hongkong would be exposed to danger.
The VICE-PRESIDENT-Have you inform ation from Dr. Lowson as to the place mentioned by Dr. Chung?
THE PUNJOM MINING CO.,
LIMITEL.
The Secretary of the Punjom Mining Co., Limited, advises us that he has received the following progress report on work done at the Company's mines in Pabang during the mouth of November, 1898-
MINING AND PROSPECTING,
Jalis August Shaft Level No. 3.-Prospect- ing Winze No. 1.-This was discontinued, the lode and ore on which it was being sunk having entirely cut out. 27 feet was driven northerly from near the bottom of this winze, through low grade ore (milling 2.48 dwts. per ton).
Prospecting Winze No. 2.--This was sunk 14 feet through almost barren ground. At that depth 29 feet was driven easterly, crossing what is apparently a lode running northerly and southerly, some 3 feet thick, but of no payable value. This is what was known as the "slide," above, and gave payable istons in places, I am told. Immediately east of and putting against this is what is known as the East and West lode, which the drive is on the strike of, but nothing payable shows therein.
Tankong Level No. 1, West drive. This was continued 36 feet on the lode, which is about the same as before, well defined, some 3 feet thick. The ore is low grade and retractory, not payable by amalgamation though perhaps so with concentration, which we are preparing for now.
East Drive.—This was driven easterly 29 feet directly opposite the West drive on the lode, it being therein of the same character, and value as in the West drive.
North Drive.-This was continued 2ft. 6in., proving we were through the lode driving on and stopped, but in its face are bunches of quartz and further prospecting may be done here later.
Machinery-Winding engine from one of the shafts at the Jalis Mine was put in place
bere.
New Find.-Prospecting the apex of this lode was continued, but nothing of value or but little promise proven.
|
South Tankong.-Nothing further was done in the shaft here, but surface prospecting re- sumed, and a coutinuation of the good ore re- cently had in limited quantities, on the surface, developed. It is not yet proven if there is a reef of any importance here or not. The quartz does not as a rule carry payable gold, but the gold occurs in soft and more or less decomposed stuff along the line of supposed reef. Such ore The PRESIDENT said Dr. Lowson had just as has been got mills about an ounce per ton. returned from the district and he informed him
Work is being pushed vigorously to prove what that he made most careful enquiries all along this place may amount to. Not being thought the North River. It was rumoured that there to be the same lode or mineral body as Tan was a case of plague about miles from Can-kong" and for convenience its name has been ton, but on investigation he found no one knew changed to "Manik.” the name of the village or where it was. Dr. Lowson visited many villages himself and did not see case, so that he thought from the information before them plague was not pre- valent either at Canton or the immediate neighbourhood.
AMENDING BYE-LAWE.
A letter was submitted from Mr. Ladds (Colonial Veterinary Surgeon) suggesting that ›bye-law be drafted for the approval of the
Middle Tankong.—35ft. was driven in pro- specting here when work was discontinued, the prospecting showing nothing of value or promise. The quartz appears to be more of a blow out" than a lode and of such low grade as not to seem to warrant further work, though developments at Tankong and South Tankong (or Manik), between which two places it is, may make it advisable to do some- thing more here later.
January 7, 1899.
Kalampeng, Adit Tunnel – No. 1 Drive West driven 7 feet, No. 1 Drive East driven 20 feet; No. 2 Drive West.—These were merely driven as prospecting tunnels on lodes or lode formation and developing nothing of value or promise were all discontinued.
Drive No. 2 East. This was continued 61 feet on leaders in the hope of their leading to an ore body.
Salango. Cleaning out old workings and surface prospecting was pushed here, but no lode of value found as yet.
West Jalis. Nothing payable or of seeming promise being found, work was discontinued here.
Hadji-Surface prospecting was continued here, but nothing "in place" located.
l
Gnban. Nothing was done; awaiting comple tion of road and arrangements necessary enable pumping and hoisting machinery to be brought here.
Malumet. The cleaning out of old workings here was commenced and a small vein shown therein. So far as could be determined there is some very good grade ore here, but not found in sufficient quantities to amount to anything as yet.
Sanghei Rusa.-The old workings here were cleaned out and a drive on the lode showing in adit tunnel began, but nothing payable found.
Sanghei Sur.-This is a reef discovered by Malays in the Bukit Sarong Section never worked before. Surface prospecting has not as yet shown anything of value or much promise,
REDUCTION WORKS.
Mill Stamps.-These were run time equal to 27 days 20 hours continuous run.
Paus-Part of these only were in condition to be run.
Ore and product were treated for amalgam and bullion as follows:- Stamps.
Ore Crushed. Headings Tankong (old ore dump) Jalis...
Tankong (Level No. 1) South Tankoug (or Manik)
Tons. Amalagam. Bullion Ounces. Ounces. 2667.5 494.7: $159,1
115,5
6.6
$2.4
28.5
9.
3.3
65.
60.
7.
$2.0
154.55
56.5
48.25 15.0
16.3
656.50. 240.2
Pana.-
Total. 2924.5 Old tailings (not calcined)" Sundry Buddle Concentrates
Total
Bullion assay here, Gold 86.06 fine, Silver 121.9 fine or a value, figuring silver at 28. per 04, of £3 138 4.3d.
Cyanide Works.-These were operated part time only and on a small scale; more or less No final clean up was made experimental. during the month so results have not been
determined.
GENERAL.
1
Transport. The supply of bullocks for transportation continues very short.
Water Power-This was short a very little while owing to our having no rain for about two weeks and our dam having very little storage. capacity.
Rainfall.-14.315 inches at manager's house. Health.-Generally very fair.
Timber and Firewood. This is plentiful in the jungle.
Labour. The supply of labour has been about equal to our needs,
TAIKOO SPORTS.
~ EIGHTH ANNUAL ATHLETIO MEETING."
The eighth annual athletic meeting took place at Quarry Bay on 2nd January in the presence of a large number of spectators, the weather being particularly favourable for the Pretty little occasion. The ground, itself spot, was made gay with bunting, whilst the promoters did all they y could to make their guests comfortable.
off the champions Armstrong carried
(presented by Mr. J. H. Scott). At the conclusion of the proceed- ings Mrs. Poate distributed the prizes. By the kind permission of Lient. Col. Retallick and officers, the Band of the Hongkong Regiment played during the afternoon. The following were the officials:
President Mr. Walter Poate. Committee Messrs. W Armstrong, J. Dickie, R. Dickson, C. Blake, J. Loohead, D. Currie, T. Grimshaw, J. Coils.
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