July 15, 1901.J
Mr. Osborne-"I agree with the V.-P., and if it is the Board's business to suppress the nuisance, by all means let us do it."
Mr. Brewin-"Are there any restrictions as to locality at home ?"
Dr. Clark-"I entirely agree with the V.-P. The nuisance referred to has been very marked of late in Wanchai."
Mr. BREWIN~ About Wanchai, I lived in Morrison Hill Road for about thirteen years, when all these things were going on, and I was nover troubled very much by noises. I don't see the necessity for this at all; or rather, hɔw are you going to enforce the bye-laws?
Dr. BELL-What I want to know is-is it our business? The suppression of noises has nothing to do with sanitation.
Speaking in support of his recommendation, Mr. MAY said that though there was no law at present to deal with such matters, it did not follow that one should not be made. At home, if a man did anything that people did not want him to do, all they had to do was to stand up for their rights and get an injunction against him. Here, getting an injunction cost money, and was also very
trouble- some. Something should be done, and the Board should approach the Government and ask them to take the question into their consideration. Boiler-making shops were in- creasing, which was a very good sign, as it showed that trade was good, but it was unreasonable to allow a man to open these places anywhere he chose. He moved that the Government be asked to consider the matter.
Mr. OSBORNE seconded, and the motion was carried.
THE CEMETERIES AT KOWLOON CITY AND SHAM SHUI PO.
The Secretary read a minute by Mr. May pointing out that two Chinese cemeteries exist at Kowloon City and Sham Shui Po, both of which had for many years been used by the natives in the vicinity. Doubtless, prior to the extension of the colony, and even since it had taken place, many plague corpses had been buried in these cemeteries, which should now be either closed or declared to be cemeteries under Section 39 of Ordinance 13 of 1901. In the latter case caretakers shou'd be apppointed to look after them and to keep tally of the burials. Dr. Clark minated---"I think it will be advisable to appoint a small committee to consider the subject and formulate recommenda- tions to Government,"
The suggestion contained in Dr. CLARK's minute was agreed to.
PROPOSED PUBLIC MORTUARY AT KOWLOON. Correspondence was laid on the table relative to the erection of a public mortuary in Kowloon, as recommended by the Board at a meeting held on June 13th.
Dr. Boll's idea is 8 building similar to the Government mortuary, with plenty of ventilation and water laid on. Out- side, a small office for the medical officer and a house for the caretaker with kitchen attached, the whole to be surrounded by a high wall. The best place for the mortuary, in Dr. Bell's opinion, would be at Yaumati, the locality where most of the bodies have come from during the last eighteen months.
The President minuted that a drawing and estimate would be prepared as soon as possible. REPORT ON THE DISINFECTION OF NO. 5 HEALTH DISTRICT.
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. vacant, so that many people had not left the district before the operations were commenced. On Monday, 24th June, the kitchens and backyards of the disinfected houses were washed with chloride of lime an water, and the house- drains and sewers of the district were disin- fected and flushed. Many of the occupants on- deavoured to anticipate the coolies by doing the washing themselves. The European in charge of each gang had been instructed to induce the residents to throw away all rubbish, and they seemed to be glad of an opportunity to do so. The whole work was completed on Wednesday even- ing, 26th June, and was carried through without encountering any difficulties from the Chinese. On the other hand, every assistance was received from them. Eight thousand pounds of chloride of lime and 3.200 pounds of sulphuric acid were used. The total cost of the operations, in- | cluding materials and coolie hire.. was about | $1,300.
The report of Mr. F. Browne, Government Analyst, on the disinfection and cleansing of No. Health District, of the operations connected with which he was in charge, was laid on the table.
The report showed that the work was commenced on Friday, 21st June, and was completed on the following day. Fourteen 'parties were engaged, each party consisting of an European, a Chinese constable, a car- penter, and six coolies. The occupants of the houses having been previously notified, the work was rendered much lighter, as no time was lost in explanation. Mr. Browne's im- pression of the attitude of the Chinese towards the disinfection was that they were very glad that Europeans were endeavouring to kill the plague by fumigating their houses with suffocating chlorine disinfectant in which they have great faith. Out of 588 houses disinfected, only 17 floors were found
Mr. MAY-I propose that the Board express its very great thanks to Mr. Browne for the very efficient way in which he superintended this work, and also to Mr. Bryan for the very efficient way in which he assisted Mr. Browne.
Mr OSBORNE seconded, and the proposal was unanimously agreed to.
THE TELEGRAPH AND NO. 5 HEALTH DISTRICT.
Correspondence was submitted relative to the cleansing of houses in No. 5 Health District.
On June 24th an article describing the process of disinfection of this district appeared in the Hongkong Telegraph over the signature of Gilah," and was sent by the Government to Dr. Clark.
The Medical Officer of Health passed on the extract to Mr. F. Browne, Goverument Analyst, and queried--" Is not this a somewhat exaggerated account of the work done?"
Mr. Browne's reply was to the effect that he did not recognise No. 5 Health District from the description given, and that in most particu- lars the account was greatly exaggerated. Speaking generally, the houses, laues, and drains were as clean and in as good order as an inspector could reasonably be expected to keep them. Only a yearly compulsory cleans- ing such as that completed in No. 5 Health District, in Mr. Browne's opinion, was of any real value in teaching the Chinese how to keep their premises clean.
Mr. May minuted-"I spent two hours in the houses in the district at the commencement of the operations. I saw some rubbish-old baskets, empty tins, disused paper, etc., such as no doubt would be present in any Europeon house or office in the colony-but nothing that could be described as filth.'"
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Dr. Clark minuted :—" Refuse urinals on the upper floors."
Dr. CLARK moved that the application be granted in respect of the urinal on the ground | floor, and refused in respect of the urinals on
the upper floors.
The PRESIDENT-I think it is somewhat regrettable to put in the newspapers such unfounded statements. From the statement of Mr. Browne and that of the Vice-President, it is clearly show that, the article in the Telegraph is of a very exaggerated description.
Referring to the matter of the cleansing of the houses, Mr. BREWIN thought that once overy six months was sufficient, provided it were done properly. The rule requiring the cleansing to be made every month was scarcely ever heeded, because of its frequency.
Dr. CLARK moved that the Board invite the assistance of the Registrar-General in issuing notices to householders to the effect that the el ansing of houses should be done by tenants and the disinfection by owners.
Mr. MAY seconded, and the proposal was agreed to.
PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIES. A report of the analysis of the public water supplies was laid on the table.
EXAMINATION UNDER FOOD AND DRUGS ORDINANCE.
Mr. F. Browne, Government Analyst's report on the results of the examination made under the Sale of and Food Drugs Ordinance was laid on the table. The report showed that six samples of whisky, six of brandy, eight of beer, two of bread, six of milk, one of coffee, and two of tea had been tested. With the exception of two samples of wilk, which were shown to be adulterated, all were found to be genuine. The eight samples of beer were free from arsenic.
APPLICATION FOR REECTION OF URINALS.
An application was read for the erection of urinals on the ground and first and second floors of the Western Hotel.
Mr. BREWIN seconded, and the motion was carried.
THE EMPLOYMENT OF RAT-CATCHERS.
Dr. Clark minuted:-"I beg to recommend that the Board should obtain the authority of the Government to engage four Chinese rat- catchers who should be paid at the rate of $5 a . month, and three cents for each rat caught. They could go round to offices and houses, and should also be given access to the storm- drains. Traps would have to be provided by the Board, and the men would wear ordinary Sanitary Board coolie uniform, so that they could be identified when necessary."
The recommendation was circulated amongst the members, and Mr. Osborne minuted-“ To do the thing effectively, I should think you ought to have about fifty rat-catchers."
Dr. Clark minnted iu reply-'I think we ought to see first how the scheme will work, and then, if desirable, increase the number of meu employed."
Dr. CLARK pointed out that during epidemics of plague there was no difficulty in getting rats. During the recent epidemic they were catching between two and three thousand a week.
Mr. BREWIN-How are you going to catch them?
Dr. CLARK-By traps. The Chinese can catch them with their hands, though.
The PRESIDENT-This is simply a matter of experiment in the right direction. As far as our opinion goes, I think the proposal is a very good une, and I move that it be sent for- ward to the Government,
Dr. BALL seconded, and the motion was carried. NUISANCES CAUSED BY WATER BUFFALOES. On the 1st inst., Col. A. W. Collard, Deputy Assistant Adjutant General in China and Hougkong, addressed the Government on the matter of the reported grazing of water buffaloes over various parts of the Kowloon military camp and rifle-ranges, causing the ground to become foul and insanitary. Col. Collard asked that such action be taken as would miti. gate the nuisance complained of.
The letter was remitted to Dr. Clark, who minuted: :-"The Sanitary Board have power to prohibit grazing by an order in writing. They might make an order prohibiting grazing in the Kowloon military camp and rifle-ranges, but I should have thought that the sentries could have warued off the men in charge of the animals."
Mr. MAYI think that if the military authorities want to keep the buffaloes away they should post sentries. I beg to move accordingly.
Dr. BELL-It isn't our business,
The PRESIDENT seconded the proposal, which was unanimously agreed to.
PLANS FOR MARKETS.
Plans were laid on the table showing the proposed addition to the Wanchai Market and the two temporary markets, one opposite the Sailor's Home and the other adjoining the new Harbour Office site.
PLAGUE-CONdsmned houSES.
There was laid on the table a recommendation by Dr. Clark relative to the withdrawal of the orders closing Nos. 15, 17, and 19, Peel Street, and No. 63, Wellington Street.
On the motion of the PRESIDENT, seconded by Dre BELL, it was agreed to withdraw the orders.
THE FLUSHING OF THE SEWERS WITH
BEA WATER.
The reply of the Government relative to a re- quest of the Board that the Government recon- sider the question of the flushing of the sewers and storm-drains with sea-water was laid on the table. It read:-
I am
“Colonial Secretary's Office, "9th July, 1991." "Sir.-In reply to your letter of the 3rd ult., directed by H.E. the Governor to transmit to you the enclosed copy of a minute of the Director of Public Works on the question of the flushing of the sewers and storm-water drains of the city with sea- water, and to inform you that the Acting Director of Public Works advises that the