November 24, 1900.]
Peak Hotel,
21st November, 1900, DEAR SIRAS requested by you to-day, I have carefully thought out the two questions you raised, and in my opinions the answers are:-
(1) The actual drainaga.—The draining of the nullahs (however desirable on other consi- derations) is unnecessary except where Anopheles breeding pools are distinctly localized. The number of the streams.-The enormous expense involved would naturally make it a matter of considerable time. I believe it is quite possible, in any nullah I have examined, to clear the Au- opheles out by filling up their breeding places with stones and lime. They do not offer to take the second best pools and breed in them, but rather seek farther afield.
(CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
"I regret to have to report for the informa- tion of the Board that several cases of foot and month disease have occurred in shed 6, at the Sassoon's Villa premises at Pokfulum, the pro- perty of the Dairy Farm Company. The shed contains 11 cows, on bull, and 22 calves. Most of these cows are giving no milk at the present time, and what little there is I have given in structions shall not be used for human consump- tion. In the interests of other cattle-owners it is perhaps advisable that two watchmen should be stationed at the shed in question to carry out the usual instructions, although of course the Dairy Farm people themselves will naturally take every possible precaution to prevent the spread of the disease. I therefore now recom- mend that this shed be declared an infected area under the provisions of Bye-law 12 of Schedule 11 of Ordinance 17 of 1887.”
The PRESIDENT said that this matter was so urgent that he took upon himself to sanction the appointment of the watchmen in order to nip this thing in the bud if possible. Now it was necessary that they should agree to declare the shed an infected area.
Dr. HARTIGAN-Has any attempt been made to find out the origin of the injection?
Dr. CLARK suggested that Dr. Hartigan might move that Mr. Ladds be asked to make enquiries and report.
(2.) I can only say again, in proof of the statement that Anopheles and malaria are never in my experience found separately in the colony. where there is malaria I have found Anopheles, and where there are Anopheles, fever follows inevitably. Take the instance mentioned to you to-day-the new married quarters on Kennedy Road. There, last summer, there were four pools breeding Anopheles at the rate of at least a dozen a day, within 48 yards of the building. These pools were the only ones in the immediate neighbourhoods in which Anopheles were found, after a very careful examination (they have been filled up by the military authority) but now that the Anopheles, infected from probably the surrounding Chinese, and living in the grass and bush, have conveyed malaria to these quar- ters, and more them half of the women and children living there have had fever within the last two months. Of the children over five years of age, something like 70 per cent. have
The death rate for the colony for the week had it.. Are you to wait till you have other such ended November 3rd was 27.7, against 31.1 for sad evidence before definitely tackling this the previous week and 23.6 for the corresponding disease at its source? Why, the cost of medical week last year. The rate for the succeeding attendance and medicines alone would have pre-week was 25.8, against 24.1 for the correspond. vented this outbreak if it had been attended to ing week last year. last spring.
Dr. HARTIGAN, continuing, said he asked the question more especially because Mr. May had said it would take $30,000-to drain the nullahs properly, and according to Dr. Young the work would cost only $40 to 350. If the quarters at Kennedy Town could be put in order for such a small sum, the sooner it was done the better.
The PRESIDENT said that Inspector Watson had been instructed to Carry out surveys at Kennedy Town, with a view to the drainage of these nullahs. He was allowed $30 a month for quarters. Mr Ormsby, however was doubtful if the cost would be only $40, and then Inspec tor Watson had reported that he could not find quarters for $30 and asked permission to find quarters at the Peak. The speaker was of opinion that that request had been sanctioned.
Dr. CLARK was of opinion that to carry out the work thoroughly would take ten times the sum of $40.
Mr. OSBORNE suggested that the Government be approached with a view of ascertaining what steps had been adopted to render the place healthy. His own opinion was that they were not doing anything at all.
Dr. CLARK-Ask the Government what they are doing.
The PRESIDENT said they had been asked to prepare a scheme and to estimate for draining the nullah, to turn this rocky ravine into a healthy orderly place. He expected that the expense would be nearer the $30,000 mentioned by Mr. May than the $40 of Dr. Young.
Dr. BALL, said if they wanteda man's opinion they must get it in the ordinary way from the Government and that was the course they must adopt if they wanted Dr. Young's opinion.
Major BROWN rose to a point of order. They appeared to be altogether away from the orginal point.*
The PRESIDENT said that, strictly speaking, the minute had nothing to do with Kennedy Town. However, it would do no harm to get this information.
Mr. OSBORNE moved that the Government be❘ asked to inform the Board exactly what steps were being taken in Kennedy Town with the view of filling up these pools in the neighbour hoods of the inspector's quarters.
Dr. CLARK seconding, the motion was car. ried.
FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE AT POXFULAM.
Mr. C. Vivian Ladds (Colonial Veterinary Burgeon) reported on the 21st instant:-
A motion to this effect was carried, on the motion of Dr. HARTIGAN, seconded by Dr.
BELL.
On the motion of Dr. CLARK, seconded by Dr. BELL, it was decided to declare the shed in question an infected area.
THE HEALTH OF THE COLONY.
|
409
THE PROPOSAL FOR THE BETTER CONTROL OF MASTERS AND ENGINEERS OF STEAM-LAUNCHES.
In conformity with the decision of the last meeting, a letter was, on the 24th October, addressed to the Government communicating the terms of the resolution adopted on this subject, and urging that steps be taken to give effect to the same.
Receipt of this letter was acknowledged on the 26th October, and on 13th November a further letter from the Colonial Secretary was received, which was now read, to the effect that for the purpose of arriving at a decision as to whether the proposed system of continuous records of certificates should be adopted, the Government intended to appoint Committee to consider the subject and report thereon, and asking the Chamber to be good enough to nominate two of its members to join the proposed Committee.
After sone discussion,
The Chairman proposed that Messrs. A. M. Marshall and D. R. Low be nominated to serve on the proposed Committee.
The Vice-Chairtaan seconded, and the resolu- tion was carried unanimously.
PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF THE BANKRUPTCY ORDINANCE.
A letter on this subject, enclosing draft of proposed amending Bill, was on the 31st October addressed to the Government, and, in addition, strong representations were made in favour of the compulsory registration of the partners in Chinese hongs or firms.
Read letter from Colonial Secretary, dated the 9th November, acknowledging receipt of above letter and stating that the subjects with which it dealt were engaging the attention of the Government.
The Secretary said he had made some furtherį researches into the history of former efforts to obtain a measure for the compulsory registra-t It was decided, on the motion of Mr. OSBORNE,|tion of partners in Chinese hongs, and gave seconded by Dr. BELL, that a notification be some particulars of the results. A Bill had been sent to Shanghai to the effect that the colony drafted in 1874 by the Government for the is now free from plague.
purpose, but owing to opposition by a section of the Chinese, who engaged Mr. Hayllar, Q.C., on their behalf, and a change of Governors soon afterwards, the measure appears to have been dropped. The subject came up again at intervals, and Mr. (afterwards Sir James) Rus- sell had, when Registrar-General, written a memorandum of some length upon it, but the matter was again shelved.
DEATHS IN MACAO.
The deaths in Macao for the week ended
October 28th numbered 51; for the following week 44, and for the week ended November
11th 46.
This was all the business.
HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
At the Monthly Meeting of the General Committee of the Hongkong General Cham- ber of Commerce, held at the Chamber Rooms, City Hall, at 11.30 am. on Thursday, 15th
November, 1900.-Present Hon. R. M. Gray (Chairman), Hon. J. J. Keswick (Vice, Chair man), Messrs. A. Haupt, Sir Thomas Jackson, Knt., D R. Law, A. M. Marshall, R. L. Richardson, C. S. Sharp, N. A. Siebs, Hon. J. Thurburn (ez officio), and R. C. Wilcox (Secretary).-
MINUTES.
The Minutes of the previous monthly meeting (held 23rd October) were read and confirmed. QUARANTINE AND THE HEALTH OF THE POET. A letter having, on the 24th October, been despatched to the Government pointing out the loss sustained owing to the delay in issuing clean bills of health to the port, and urging that further quarantine restrictions were un-
necessary,
The Chairman said he thought it not impro- bable that a Commission would be appointed to go into the question thoroughly.
This concluded the business.
The following is the correspondence read at the above meeting: --
BETTER CONTROL OF MASTERS AND ENGINEERS OF STEAM-LAUNCHES.
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 26th October, 1900,
SIR.
I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th instant, forwarding a resolution by the Chamber regarding a system of continuous record certificates for the mastors and engineers of steam-launches, and to state that this matter has already been engaging thế. attention of this Government.
A further communication will be addressed to you in due course.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
J. H. STEWArt Lockhart,
Colonial Secretary.
Chamber of Commerce.
Colonial Secretary's Offios, Hongkong, 18th November, 1900.
A reply was received on 7th November, which | The SECRETARY, was read. It stated that a close observance of the rules of the Venice Convention, which the Colony had joined, was necessary, but that ten clear days having elapsed without a case of plague occurring, H. E. the Governor had ordered clean bills of health to be issued to the port at once.
Also read letter from Colonial Secretary transmitting copy of further letter from the Bengal Government referring to a fresh amendment of the rules for surveillance at Chittagong of persons suspected of being infected with plague.
The Chairman said that, as clean bills of health had been granted, there was nothing further to be done in the matter.
SIR,
In continuation of my letter (No. 1,987) of the 26th ultimo, I am directed to inform you that the Government is desirous of being sup plied with the fullest information on the subject of the proposed system of continuous record certificates for the masters and engineers of steam-launches before coming to a decision as to whether the system should be adopted. For this purpose it is proposed to appoint Committee to consider the subject and report thereon to the Government. If the Chamber of