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the verandahs, especially at the present season, so near the approach of summer.
The Hon. F. H. MAY thought the Medical Officer of Health should alter his minutes so that they should read:-" In future buildings, partitions be allowed to a height of seven feet solid so as to secure privacy, and that the rest of the partition should be of iron bars or lattice work, at least two thirds open." He (Mr. May) did not think the Government wanted to in- terfere with the Chinese at all.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
22nd and 24th February, 1901, were also
re- ported.
|
FORTNIGHTLY LIME-WASHING RETURN, The fortnightly lime-washing return showed that 198 houses had been lime-washed in the Eastern District since the previous report.
THE HEALTH OF THE COLONY.
The death rate for the colony of Hongkong for the week ended 16th February was 24.6 against 22.4 for the previous week and 24.4 for the corresponding week last year. The rate for the succeeding week was 23.6, against 19.6 for the corresponding week last year.
DEATHS IN MACAO.
The deaths in Macao for the week ended 17th February numbered 54, and for the fol lowing week 58.
RESIGNATION F MR. MCKIE.
March 0 1901.
that
The sotual cause of the disaster has not yet been discovered, but it is thought that some obstructions prevented the Canton River from coming along the bottom as she rose, aud the compartment in which the 9-inch pump was working became suddenly flooded, and so de- stroyed the buoyancy on that side of the ve≤891, the opposite compartment remaining tight and giving her an excess of buoyancy on that side, which resulted in her turning over.
Government dredger which lay close up, knook- In turning over the Canton River struck the ing a hole in her bottom. She moved out into deeper water and sank at onco. No lives were lost.
We must not omit to mention that every assistance possible was rendered to the two divers, Brodie and Johnson, by Dr. Gibson The PRESIDENT said Mr. McKie had asked and Capt. A. W. Bewley, and that Dr. permission of His Excellency to resign his seat Gibson received an injury to his thumb on the Sanitary Board. He thought they in removing the mud from Brodie's mouth. would all regret the absence of Mr. McKie Rumours were prevalent on Sunday evening. from their deliberations and from the sub- that by the sinking of the Government dredger committees which reported on the back slums' when the Canton River tarned over several of the town.
Chinese workmen lost their lives. These happily have proved unfounded, everyone being accounted for.
THE PRESIDENT'S HOLIDAY.
The PRESIDENT observed that the question had arisen in this way. One of his assistants had found out-rather late in the day, he thought that the partitions were against the Building Ordinance, and against the law. He (Mr. Ormsby) did not agree with the assistant, and referred the matter to the Attorney-Gen- eral who entirely supported the assistant's view. It appeared now that for many years the law had been continually broken. Perhaps his (the President's) predecessor was of the same opinion as himself, and thought the partitions were not forbidden. The Legal Adviser to the Govern ment had now stated that the law had laid down one thing and another interpretation had been placed upon it. The Attorney-General's The PRESIDENT goes on leave next week, view was that although the requirerents of the and he observed-Gentlemen: This being the Ordinance had not been met, yet the law last meeting at which I will have the honour should always be enforced, and at all times if of presiding, I wish before we part to thank
We regret to have to record that consequent it was harsh or unreasonable it should be alter-
you all for your kind assistance, and co- upon the mishap to the Canton River on ed and not ignored. He thought it would be operation with me since I have been Pre. Saturday last, the diver Brodie, who was very hard indeed to compel the owners of pro- sident of this Board-Our meetings have progressing favourably up to Thursday, had perties to build solid party walls in the veran
been sometimes characterised by warmth, but few hours later.
a relapse early in the morning, and expired a dahs-they would much prefer not to have them what of that? It merely shows that we are at all. Take the case of the Hongkong Hotel in earnest back and hold strongly to our opinions for instance. There the law had been broken-I must say that I have entirely failed to notice in every storey by the erection of verandahs, that line of demarcation between the officials and it would be a great hardship if they and the non-officials on this Board which has had to be removed after all these years. He in some quarters been spoken of, and I think a therefore was in favor of the law being enforced, reference to our divisions would clearly prove frequent occurrence during the past month or Highway robbery with violence has been of but not with respect to existing buildings. that no such difference exists. We can, I think, two, the victim in every instance being a China- look back on much good work done during man. The immunity of Europeans from this the past 12 months. and I feel no doubt that popular form of putrage is no longer a fact, an improved condition in the sanitation of the however Colony is the earnest wish and sim of every aboutthree o'clock, Mr. F Esrom, of the Eastern On Sunday afternoon, the 3rd inst., member of this Board. In conclusion, gentle- Asiatic Trading Company, who has but I again thank you for your kind consi- recently arrived in the colony, was walking deration during the year we have worked along Bowen Road, when, at a point just above together. (Applause.)
Dr.HARTIGAN remarked that the Legal Advi- ser wished to have the privacy preserved and at the same time to secure the free circulation of air. Could not some means he devised to obtain the two combined? Did the President object to the ordinary lath and plaster partition?
The PRESIDENT replied that the lath and plaster partition would cut off the air just the same. Outbreaks of fire in Hongkong were generally confined to one house in consequence of the thick solid party walls, but if they had the ordinary lath and plaster partition there would be nothing to confine the fire, and much greater loss to property would follow.
Dr.BELL opined that if they ran up solid party walls there were no more verandahs. If they looked along the verandahs in the Queen's Road they would see that they were nothing more nor less than living rooms.
Mr. FUNG WA CHUN twitted the Board with a sheer waste of time. There had not bern any previous objection to the verandahs and nothing against their present use had ben urged. Now it appeared that a subordinate officer had been curious enough to find out that all these things were against the law, and there and then a stir was made about it. What had the matter of these verandahs to do with the sanitary condition of the Colony? Nothing, they might rest assured, for if it had the Medical Officer of Health would have found it out long since. If they only allowed the walls seven feet in height the Chinese would have to close up their windows at night, so that instead of them geting more light and air they would be deprived of both.
8
Dr. BELL said that if the Chinese got their feet of solid wall they would lose their ventila- tion. He did not care what the custom was he was against it He had his opinions on the whole thing, and would tell the Government what he thought of it.
Mr. OSBORNE moved as an amendment that the Government be asked not to move in the matter at all.
The PRESIDENT put the amendment to the Board, and it was carried.
THE VICTORIA HOSPITAL FOR WOMEN AND
CHILDREN:
men,
This was all the business.
OUTRAGE IN BOWEN ROAD.
EUROPEAN ATTACKED AND ROBBED.
the Cemetery, he was attacked by two Chinamen, who set upon him from behind. Mr. Esrom was partly stunned by the blows he received, and fell. The robbers-for such they
SECOND OVERTURNING OF THE were then snatched his gold watch and chain,
"CANTON RIVER."
value $65, and made off the way they had come. The unfortunate gentleman was found lying No little excitement was aroused in the Colony on the roadway soon afterwards by a sailor, on Saturday evening, the 2nd inst, by the news who took him to No. 2 Police Station, that the dredger Canton River had again turned where an account of the outrage was given over when her raising seemed practically certain. to Inspector Ford. The mere facts that Owing to the absence of so many from the centre Bowen Road is comparatively well frequented of the city to view the Off Day's sport at Happy and that discovery was imminent at any moment Valley the intelligence did not travel so rapidly may be accepted as the reason why the robbers as it would otherwise have done, and consequently did not complete their daring work and search a large number of residents did not hear of the Mr. Esrom, who carried nearly $300 in his event until Sunday morning. Exaggerated pockets. The police have been successful in rumours, however, got about, and first six, then recovering the watch and chain from a pawn- five, deaths were reported. The actual facts of shop where the articl 's were pledged for a very the case were as follows.
smail sum.
At noon on Saturday, 2nd inst., it was found that the recent rough weather had damaged some of the canvas, and it was thought that the at- tempt to raise the Conton River must be put off. Nevertheless, the damage was repaired, and the pumping was proceeded with promptly. The stern of the dredger began to lift, and the vessel came in towards the shore. His Excellency the Governor was on board during the operation, and everything appeared satisfactory. At five p.m., however, shortly after His Excellency had left, those who were watching proceedings from the shore, heard a shout of "Heave away," and the dredger was suddenly observed to turn over. In so doing she took with her the raft which was made fast to her and on which the two divers, Brodie and Johnson, were sitting. Steps were immediately taken to recover the two men, and Brodie, was brought to the surface much exhausted, and sent at once to the Tamar, When the other man was got up, all efforts to restore life were unavailing.
On the accident occurring, Capt. Percy Scott,
Plans for the Victoris Hospital for Women who was on shore at the time, immediately went:
and Children were submitted.
PLAGUE AT THE CAPE AND AT SINGAPORE,
The outbreak of plague in King William Town District, Cape Colony, was reported Three cases of plague in Singapore between the
over to the dredger, and divers were sent for from H.M.8. Aurora and the Dockyard. His Excellency the Governor also hastened down to the scene and was present when the unfortunate man's body was recovered.
Magistracy on Thursday, charged with the as- Two Chinese coolies were brought up at the asult, and the case is adjourned to Monday."
The following items are from the Foochow Daily cho of the 2nd inst.:The weather continued fine and bright over Wednesday, but has since been dull and raw with a threatening of rain. There are still a good many of the residents on the doctor's hands with the pre- vailing epidemic. The hockey matches ar ranged for this week, namely “Over Thirty v. Under Thirty” and “ Married v. Single" could not be played quite as intended owing to the absence of several members of the Hockey Club,
good deal of " pick up" having to be resorted to; nevertheless on both occasions fast, and exciting games were witnessed. The actual matches will no doubt be played later on. The wounded, we understand, are doing fairly well. Dr. W. Wykeham Myers of Takow has been Underwood, deceased-The latest transfers of appointed doctor at Pagoda Anchorage vice Dr.
properties have been the old Loong Shan compound to the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank, and the Hong known as Birley & Co. to Mr. G. Siemsson. The prices have not tran spired.
I