and the figures obtained by these night visits give 85 persons per floor."
It was agreed to refer the report to the special meeting for further consideration.
ANTI-PLAGUE INOCULATION. Chapter IV. of the Indian Plague Commis- sion, which deals with anti-plague inoculation, was submitted."
Lieut. Col. RYAN spoke against inoculation. The VICE-PRESIDENT said that last year they got out a large supply of Haffkeine lympth, but beyond the Indians at the Dock and a few of the Board's own servants who were inoculat- ed they could not get anyone to undergo the pro-
cess. He had no doubt himself that it reduced the mortality of plague when the plague was contracted, and it also reduced the percentage of people attacked in a town where inoculation was carried out, but the mischief of it was that people who had been through the inoculation process swore that they would never have it done again.
It was decided to acknowledge the receipt of the report with thanks.
44
THE PLAGUE IN MANILA.
A letter dated 26th April, from the President of the Board of Health at Manila, said:
There has been no increase in the number of cases of plague. In fact there has been a dim- inution. There are very few cases in the city now. The death rate of the city is smaller than at any time since we began keeping
records."
It was ordered that the letter be laid on the
table.
The VICE-PRESIDENT observed that the least said about this the better. It was no use people who lived in glass houses throwing stones
THE EXTERMINATION OF RATS.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
his
MEMORIAL,
[June 2, 1900,
The following brief report of what has taken place since the last general meeting held August 16th, 1899, in relation to the Diamond Jubilee Memorial, has been forwarded to us by the Excutive Committee :-
which cannot in the interests of the colony be VICTORIA DIAMOND JUBILEE handed over to a locum tenens, however able and energetic and willing that locum tenens may be. The myriads of legal points and the mass of Sanitary laws and byelaws which the M. O. H. needs to travel through in
every day's work requires a man to be in constant touch with the subject, and this will be especially so with the coming into operation of the new Insanitary Properties Ordinance. There are many other reasons which could be urged in favour of the appointment, but I think, Sir, that on these grounds alone it is our duty to recommend the matter again to the Govern-
ment's favourable consideration.
Lieut. Col. RYAN seconded, and the, motion was carried.
THE PLAGUE IN FORMOSA.
A further return of the progress of plague in Tainan, Formosa, showing 16 new cases on the 24th ult.
|
Mr. McKie and Dr. Clark minated in favour of all vessels arriving from any port in the Is- land of Formosa being ordered into quarantine for inspection.
On the motion of Dr. CLARK, seconded by Mr. McKIE, it was decided to recommend the Government to declare Tainan infected with plague.
A GOOD SAMPLE.
An analysis of a sample of milk taken from the Wo Hop Dairy was submitted, Mr. T. J. Wild, Acting Government Analyst, observing that he was of opinion this was a sample of genuine milk.
THE LIMEWASHING RETURN.
In his fornightly lime-washing return, Mr. J. H. Danby (Chief Inspector) said:-The Westem district period is now current, and to date only a very small proportion of the houses have been notified that it is the intention of the owner to cleanse (some 100 or so). This has in a measure been fortunate in that it has allowed
His Excellency the Governor granted author ity to continue the payment of two cents for every rat killed for three months. As the three months expire on June 7th the Secretary sug- gested that the opinion of the Board be obtained the Inspector time for the prosecution of Cen- as to the advisability of continuing these pay-tral District defaulting owners. There are still a ments, so that the necessary authority might large number of summonses to be heard during be obtained before the expiration of the three the next few days probably about 200. In addi- months allowed. A return of rats received was tion to the above prosecutions there have been submitted by the Secretary, who added. "The to date in connection with Kowloon property large increase in the number of rats received 58 prosecutions, resulting in fines to the amount lately is doubtless owing to the new mode of of $580 being inflicted. It is hoped that when payment adopted on Feb. 6th, by which the the period for the Western District ends there Inspectors of the various Health Districts re- will be only at most a very small proportion of ceive the rats at the dust carts as they go round prosecutions required. and the rewards on the spot. The return
pay is as follows:-
16th Jan. to 31st Jun. 1st Feb. to 14th Feb.
37 112
15th Feb. to 28th Feb.
1.025
1st March to 14th March
1.434
15th March to 28th March
2.245
29th March to 11th April
2.918
12th April to 25th April
3.017
26th April to 9th May
Total
3.046
13.834
On the motion Mr. OSBORNE, seconded by Dr. Lowson, it was decided to ask the Govern- ment for further funds to pay for rats. AN ASSISTANT MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH AGAIN SUGGESTED.
Mr. OSBORNE proposed the following motion of which he had given notice:-"That the Sani- tary Board are unanimously of opinion that an Assistant Medical Officer of Health is urgently needed as the duties and responsibilities of the Department are more than one Medical man can
THE HEALTH OF THE COLONY,
The death rate for the week ended May 5th was 23.8. against 26.3 for the previous week and 30.4 for the corresponding week last year. The rate for the following week was 31.7, against 33.5 for the corresponding week last year.
THE PLAGUE AT MACAO.
The deaths in Macao for the week endel May 6th numbered 79 (including 37 from plagus), the number for the succeeding week being 86 (including 43 from plague.)
This was all the business.
We observe from Washington and New York papers to hand that Consul-General Wildman is spoken of as a desirable candidate for the Vice-Presidency.
THE VICTORIA HOSPITAL AND NURSING INSTITUTE. 1. At the last General Meeting held August 15th, 1899, the chairman stated that the Com- mittee were then in a position to proceed with the Hospital and Nursing Institute in accor- dance with the plans prepared by the architects and on the basis of the estimate prepared by
them
2. On August 26th, the architects, Messrs. Palmer and Turner, were instructed to call for tenders and to report the result as early as possible.
They reported on November 23rd that they had called for lump-sum tenders and that the lowest received was some 50 per cent. in excess of their estimate.
3. The Committee thon instructed them to take out a bill of quantities and call for fresh tenders.
The quantities were ready about the end of January, and after much difficulty the result of the large amount of building going on in the colony and the consequent rise in prices, the Committee have at length obtained a reasonable tender and have entered into a contract for the erection of the Hospital on Barker Road.
4. The Committee have found it impossible owing to the rise in prices, to proceed with the building of the Nursing Institute. They have reported this to Government and pointed out that as quarters will be provided at the new Hos. pital for a resident surgeon effecting a saving of $720 per annum, which if capitalized at 5 per cent., amounts to 814,400, they hoped that the Government would obtain the permission of the Secretary of State to erect the Nursing Institute Wing and pay for it out of the revenues of the colony, in which case any available balance from the Hospital fund would be handed over for that purpose.
5. The financial position now stands as fol- lows:- Balance at credit of fund (31st March) $101,197.22 Estimated accumulation of Interest on Fund during disbursement, say
3,802.78
Total amount available, say 105,000.00 Contracts for preparation of site and erection of Hospital and Quarters on Baker Road Goods to be obtained from England,
say
Architects Commission and fees, say
87,776.06.
10,000.00 5,500.00
Total amount to be expended 103,276.06 There will therefore be an estimated balance of some $1.724 to cover further contingencies, an allowance of $2,250 having been made for ordinary contingencies in the contract.
6. The work of preparing the site for the Hospital has been commenced and it is hoped that there will now be no further delay and that in due course this section of the scheme for commemorating Her Majesty's 60 years' reign will be brought to a successful conclusion JUBILEE ROAD.
The other day a woman reported at No. 7 Police Station, West Point, that she had lost with the result that it was found that the girl her adopted daughter. A search was instituted,
1. The Committee are pleased to report that had been taken away by two men. These men
the memorial to the Secretary of State has been were traced to a brothel, where they were arres-practically successful, the following reply hav- ted. The girl was found secreted in an adjoin- ing been received
be reasonably expected to undertake." He said In proposing the resolution which stands in my name, it is unncessary to add to what has al-ing room. ready been written and said on the subject ex- cept it be for the information of the members who were appointed to the Board subsequent at the meeting on 28th Oct. last. On that date the Board unanimously adopted the suggestions of the committee appointed to consider the ques- tions of additions to the Sanitary staff, and one of those recommendations was the appointment of an assistant M. O. Ha qualified medical man whose whole time should be given to the wark of the Sanitary Board and whose pay and position should be such as to attract a man worthy of carrying on the arduous duties now so ably fulfilled by Dr. Clark in the event of that gentleman's absence. The Government however did not acceed to the Board's request. It must be evident to every member of the Board that the work done by Dr. Clark is of a nature
The canonisation of the founder of the Society of Christian Brothers-John Baptiste de la Salle-was celebrated at St. Joseph's College on Thursday evening by the holding of a fête in the grounds, which had been beautifully de- corated with lanterns artistically arranged by the boy boarders, the British, American, and Spanish flags also figuring prominently, to- gether with an illuminated picture of the founder. The chapel had also been charmingly adorned. A band stand which had been erected was occupied by the band from the U. S. flag ship Baltimore. A varied selection of music was admirably rendered, several of the items being heartily encored, notably "Cavaleria a Rusticana" and "Oh ! Listen to the band." Re- freshments were provided, and altogether an exceedingly pleasant evening was spent.
Sir,
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S LETTER. Hongkong, Colonial Secretary' Office,
7th April, 1900.
With reference to the Colonial Secretary's letter No. 1,689, of the 3rd of October last, I am directed to transmit to you for the information of the Jubilee Committee the enclosed copy of a despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies in answer to the Governor's despatch No. 274 of the 27th of September last, in which mitted on behalf of the Jubilee Committee was forwarded the statement which you sub- under date of the 15th of the same month, on the subject of the proposed construction of a road from Kennedy Town to Aberdeen.
The conditions upon which the Military Authorities are prepared to withdraw their objections to the road are as follows:
Page 10Page 11