474
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
The following letter, dated May 27th, from H.B.M. Consul at Canton, was submitted :-
"I have the honour to inform you that I am given to undesrtand that cases of plague have occurred at this port, though the disease has so far not assumed an epidemic form. From the | fact that there was lately a death from plague on board one of the river steamers and that several persons have been landed here suffering from the disease, it is probable that the malady was imported from Hongkong. The Chiuese authorities take no precautions against it, and exhibit complete apathy on the subject.'
The mortality returns for Macgo for the week ended May 14 showed three deaths from plague, the returns for the succeeding week also showing three deaths from the same disease.
praved than any other class and they will go just so far as the laws permit. Sentiment does not enter into their calculations any more than it does into any other line of business, and it seems idle and useloss to rail against them for making the utmost gain out of their properties. If by so doing they are endangering the health of the community it is the duty of the That grave Government to prevent them. evil exists I think no one will deny and I think also that no one, not even the landlord, is op. posed to new legislation dealing fairly and im- partially with this question. It is now five years since the first outbreak of plague and done toward practically nothing has been
The mortality statistics for the colony of Hongkong for the week ended May 20th showed a death rate of 35-8, against 335 for the pre-radicating the disease. Every year, and every vious week, and 343 for the corresponding week month that slips by without this matter being last year. The rate for the succeeding week taken in hand adds to the discredit of the Go was 48-2, against 226 for the corresponding vernment for delaying reform and of the com- week last year.
During the first week there munity for allowing such delay. Putting aside were 75 deaths from plague and during the the moral aspect of the question, viz, our duty toward these masses of poor and ignorant second 113.
people to whom disease and death have become so familiar, one is inclined to wouder why the instincts of self interest and self preservation, the injury to trade that accompanies every out- break of plague, the deaths amongst our own friends, have not been strong enough to over- come the apathy and indifference with which the subject seems to be regarded by those who should be most active in the cause of reform. The Sanitary Board has made its recommendations, but it must do more. It must not cease to press for reform and it must keep this matter constantly before the Government and the public aud by so doing prevent its lapsing into obscurity. As there seems some doubt as to the legality of these proposed alterations I beg to move:
SURFACE OVERCROWDING IN' HONGKONG.
An application was made by Messrs. Leigh and Orange for permission to re-arrange cer- tain private streets and lanes on inland lots 517 and 222, Queen's Road East and Wing Fung Street.
Mr. OSBORNE said—At our last meeting the Vice-President and the M.O.H. dwelt upon the subject of surface crowding and they pointed out the urgent need of amending the laws to meet the growing tendency of converting one and two storeyed houses into four storeyed buildings. If any proof were needed to justify the remarks then made the application now before us supplies it. This application asks the Sanitary Board to approve of certain plans by which a block of four storeyed Chinese houses will be built upon a plot of ground which till recently was covered by two storeyed houses. The two storeyed buildings had streets and lanes running at the front and back for the whole length-lanes which admitted of a fair amount of ventilation and light. These back lanes are to be abolished and in their place there are to be small areas or wells about nine feet square surrounded by walls on all sides, it does not need a very keen intellect to understaud that houses having at their back a continuous lane, where light and air can circulate freely, are more healthy than houses with a similar space at the back, but cut up into a number of small shafts, open only to the sky, where it is physically impossible that fresh air can proper- ly circulate. And yet those plans are quite in accordance with the law, and the Sanitary Board can do nothing but approve of them, in face too of the knowledge that double the number of human beings will be herded together on this piece of ground than formerly This then is what Hongkong is coming to, houses of the old fashioned type, which on account of their being low have at least the merit of admitting light and air, are to make way for what the Vice-President aptly terms the modern sky scraper with its four storeys and square ventilating holes blocking out light and air from everything around. It is not difficult to foresee what will be the sanitary con- dition of such houses, when snushine and air are excluded from all sides but one, and it needs no prophet to foretell they will become so many pest houses for the favourable incubation and dissemination of plague. Truly if such things continue unchecked the name of Hongkong will become a byeword of reproach amongst civilized communities an instead of being, as it ought to be, and object lesson in sanitation to the Chinese Empire its name will be regarded with loathing and contempt as be- ing the birthplace and stronghold of disease. It is the fashion to blame the landlords for this surface crowding, for building houses which ex- perience and common sense condemn as un- healthy, whilst others blame the Government for having allowed such a state of affairs to be come possible; but it has always seemed to me that the question of blame might very well be left out of the discussion, as we are more cou- cerned in providing a remedy than finding a sapegoat. The landlords are not more de-
That bye-law No. 27 made under section. 13 of 15 of 1894 be refered to the Attorney. General for his opinion as to whether the Board has power under it to prohibit this re-arrange- ment of private lanes.”
Dr. CLARK seconded and the motion was carried,
[June 10, 1899
not less than five days before the person pro- posed is admitted as a member of the Corps.
Provision is made for a Reserve. Members of the Corps and other persons who, through pressure of business or other good cause, cannot afford the time to continue or to become active
? members, may be permitted to join the reserve. The establishment of the Corps is as follows:- Staff.-1 Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant, 1 Adjutant and Quartermaster, 2 Surgeons, 1 Corps Quartermaster Sergeant.
Field Battery-1 Major, 1 Captain, 3 Lieut- enants, 1 Battery Sergeant-Major, 1 Battery
6 Sergeants, Quartermaster-Sergeant, Trumpeters, 6 Corporals, 6 Bombardiers, 1 Wheeler. 1 Carriage-Smith, 82 guuners; total of all ranks, III.
Z
Machine Gun Companies, the strength being equally divided between the three Companies. 3 Captains, 6 Lieutenants, 3 Company Sergeant- Majors, 12 Sergeants, 3 Trumpeters, 12 Cor- porals, 12 Bombardiers, 120 Gunners; total of all ranks, 171..
Engineer Company-1 Lieutenant, 2 Ser- geants, 2 Corporals, 25 Sappers; total of all ranks, 30:
Grand total of all ranks,-317. Baud-1 Sergeant-Drummer, 2 Corporals, 20 Drummers, Fifers, etc.
We understand that amended regulations will be issued later on. These allow fra Field Battery, A, B, and C Machine Gun Companiesį an Esor Company (which may be termed a rifle company), and an Engineer Company. The last formed for the purpose of assisting in the named will consist of engineers, and will be electric light arrangements at the different
forts.
MARSHAL SOU LEAVES FOR THE NORTH.
NIS DEPARTUE FROM WUCHOW.
[FROM A CORRESPONDENT.]
Wnchow, 3rd June, 1899. Marshal Sou left Wnchow this morning, at the early hour of five, for Canton and the North, where glory in the shape of the Empress Rowa-
SANITARY INSPECTION REGUI ATIONS. The Board then went into committee to con- sider draft sanitary inspection regulations for the colony ander the Merchant Shipping Orger and Teuton legions awaits him
dinance.
SIK THOMAS JACKSON, K.C.M.G.
The first intimation of the gallant officer's approaching departure was the braying of trumpets and the irregular discharge of field pieces from guard boats stationed along the News was received on Saturday morning line of route. This preliminary display was doubtless indulged in with a view to ascertain. that the honour of knighthood had been con- ferred upon Mr. Thomas Jackson, the Chiefing whether any stray cartridges or chain shot Manager of the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank. The intelligence was received with nuiversal satisfaction and after the mail had been cleared the Bank was besieged by callers offer their congratulations, Congratulatory telegrams were also received from Japan. the China Ports, and the Straits No appointment that could have been made could possibly have afforded more general gratification in the Far East, where every one will join in wishing Sir Thomas many years of health and happiness in which to enjoy his well earned honour. Further reference to the new knight and to his career will be found in our leading article.
who came
to
*HE VOLUNTEER CORPS, Regulations made by the Governor-in-Council under the provisions of the Volunteer Ordin- ance. 1893, and dated 25th May, 1899, are published in the Gazette..
The Corps is to copsist of five units, as follows:-(a) A Battery of Light Field Ar- tillery; (b) three Machine Gun Companies; and (c) an Engineer Company. A Band may be formed.
ย
In order to ensure a military character to the Corps it will, with the consent of the General Officer Commanding the Troops for the time being, be almiustered by him, "under the general control of the Governor.
No person shall be admitted a member of the Corps except on the proposal of two mem- bers of the unit to which he seeks admission, and with the approval of the Cammanding Officer of the unit aud of the Commandant. The Lames of the person proposed and his proposers shall be posted at Headquarters for
still remained in the cannon. Shortly after.` wards an ear-splitting salvo reut the morning air, uniforms were hastily donned by the rabble forming the (temporary) crew of the guard boats, steam launches tooted whistles of various tone and volume, to announce the august de- parture, and then with flags and banners way- ing gaily, the gallant Marshal, seated on the fore part of a junk, is towed past by a commerce protector and escorted by two others of the same useful genus. Alas, that this brilliant scene should have been marred by the appearance of the marshal's washing suspended on bamboos in graceful festoons along the side of his house boat.
Let us not forget to add that the local au- thorities, ever devoted to their country's heroes, went
пр river at much personal inconvenience to meet His Excellency, and this morning with music and crackers escorted him a mile or so on his way.
Thus did the illustrious Son, an Excellency of France, a Guardian of an Heir Apparent yet unborn, Director-General of a Railway which does not exist, and Generalissimo of a Paper Army, pass down the West River to the sea.
Let the Mailed Fist tremblingly note!
VERMILLION PENCIL,
The following is a copy of the card of Marshal Sou, who, according to Chinese rumour, Las been called to Peking to drive the Germans ont of Shantung:
8. E. LE. MARÉCHAL Su.. Vice Gardien de l'Héritier Présomptif, Com- mandant en Chef des Armées du Quang Si, Commissaire Impérial des Frontières Sino-Annamites, Directeur Général du Chemin de Fer Impérial de Long Chéon (Chine.j
Camp de Pink Shiang.
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