i
396
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
OF COMMERCE.
The PRESIDENT~As there has been practi- | HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER cally no case of plague in Manila for the last eleven days, I move that the Board recommend the Government-in-Council to withdraw the restrictions against Manila.
At the monthly meeting of the General Committee of the Hongkong General Chamber Lieut. Col. HUGHES seconded, and the motion of Commerce, held in the Chamber Room, City
was carried.
MORTALITY OF THE COLONT.
The mortality statistics for the Colony for the week ended 26th October show a total of 25 deaths per 1,000, against 27-8 in the previous! week and 311 in the corresponding week of
last year.
NEW DISEASE IN THE COLONY, The PRESIDENT-In connection with these
health statistics, I may mention for the in- formation of the public the prevalence of an infectious disease in the Colony which has been but rarely met with here; I am referring to dengue. The reason for my drawing attention to this is that the disease is very infections, and it is advisable, on its occurring in a house- hold, for the patient suffering to be isolated, if possible I would suggest that in the case of any member of a household becoming infect- ed a medical attendant should be called in as urly as possible. This disease is not dangerous; there is practically no mortality from it. The , mortality, I think, is about 1 per cent. But it is very infectious, and causes considerable inconvenience from its infectious nature. It com-
mences very much in the same way as ordinary malaria - with fever and marked redness of the face and neck. The fever usually lasts for two or three days, and after an intermission of a few days there is a slight return of the fever with a well marked papular eruption. It is accompanied by pains in the joints and body generally, I mention these facts to allay any alarm. I have heard several peoplo in the Colony talking about this so-called unknown disease, which is well known to medical men.
OUTBREAK OF FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE.
Dr. CLARK-I beg to report, for the informa tion of the Board, the occurrence of two cases of foot-and-mouth disease in a shed at the Wongneicheong Dairy Farm. The shed is an open one containing thirteen cows and three calves. Six of the cows are buffalo calves, six are Australian, and one is a half-bred.
There are ten cows in another shed some
twenty yards distant, and all of them are at present healthy. In a third shel is a buffalo-cow dying of metritis following calving. There are also a number of ponies on this farm, but as these animals rarely, if ever, contract foot-and-mouth disease. I think no action need be taken in respect of them. The Board should declare the shed in which are the two diseased animals as infected, and prohibit the using of milk from this shed. Two watchmen must be posted at the gate of prevent the removal of infected matter from the shed: The disease is not often fatal, and runs its gourse usually in about three weeks. The licensee of this dairy is Mr. Lo Mun. Action must be taken at once to prevent the disease spreading, and I beg to move that the shed in question be declared infected with foot-and-mouth disease and hat the Board prohibit the using of milk from the infected shed, and obtain the permission of the Govern- inent to at once engage two watchmen to prevent the removal of infected matter from the shed,
The PRESIDENT seconded, and the motion was carried.
This was all the business.
The Mercury correspondent wrote from Tien- tsin on the 2nd inst. :-This past week has seen action taken in regard to the proposed tram- ways, linking up the different settlements and the native city. There was strong difference of opinion manifested in regard to the matter, and the older British Settlement has adjourced the discussion. The renters of the Extra Con- cession, however, voted in favour of allowing the tramways to run on what is now almost the outer boundary of their concession along | Recreation Road and Elgin Avenue, and a committee was appointed to further the matter, if possible, on this basis. It transpired that the proposed company is not alien to Tientsin, but is being floated by local capitalists, who have the welfare and interests of the concessions necessarily at heart. The publication of this fact, hitherto not generally known, has doubt less influenced not a few to consider the subject in a favourable way.
Hall, at 3 pm.
on
the 7th November, Present: Sir Thomas Jackson (Chairman), Mr. C. S. Sharp (Vice-Chairman), Messrs. A. Haupt, W. Poate, H. A. Ritchie, N. A. Siebs, H. E Tomkins, Hon. T. H. Whitehend (ex-officio), and R. C. Wilcox (Secretary),
MINUTES.
The minutes of the previous monthly meet ing (held 22nd October) were read and confirmed.
THE CHINESE TARIFF.
The SECRETARY reporteil that the gentlemen appointed on the Sub-Committee at last meet- ing to consider this question had met and discussed the various points to be submitted to the Special Commissioner, with the result that a memorandum had been prepared on the! subject, which he now laid on the table.
The CHAIRMAN said he thought it would be best to read the memorandum, when they could consider it, clauso by clause, and accept or amend it as seemed desirable.
The memorandum was then read, and, after considerable discussion and some slight amend. ments, it was adopted.
Read letter from the Chairman of the Shang. hai Branch of the China Association, dated 2nd November, forwarding a proposed Tariff of Import Duties on textile goods which had been prepared by a special Committee of British Importers at Shanghai and asking to be favoured with the views of the Hongkong Chamber thereon with as little delay as possible. After some discussion,
It was decided to write in reply expressing the Committee's approval of the proposed Tariff, and to forward copy of the memorandum pre- pared by this Chamber for presentation to the Special Commissi ner, Sir James Mackay.
PROPOSED REGISTRATION OF CHINESE PARTNERSHIPS.
The SECRETARY stated that a copy of the re- port of the committee appointed to consider the question of the registration of the names of partners in Chinese firms was despatebed on the 23rd October to the Singapore Chamber of Commerce with a covering letter, and on the 31st idem a telegram was received from Mr. Gunn (the Secretary) asking for twelve copies. Application was at once made to the Govern- ment for that number, but the Colonial Secre- tary replied to the effect that only five coull be spared, and these, with covering letter, hal been sent to Singapore.
}
A copy of the report was laid on the table.
THE MEDICAL INSPECTION OF SHIP8.
[November 18, 1901.
made by the legal adviser of the Board of Trade for making clearer the law relating to bank- ruptcy in this Colony.
a
THE KING'S BIRTHDAY.
A letter having been received from the Government on the 4th November, conveying suggestion from H. E the Governor that Monday, the 11th, would perhaps be more suitable for a public holiday than Saturday, the 9th inst., which was mail day, a rep'y was sent concurring in the proposal.
THE SUPPRESSION OF ANARCHISM. Read circular letter from the Pittsburg (U.S.) Chamber of Commerce enclosing copy of resolutions passed by that body in favour of anacting laws for the suppression of anarchy in the United States, and for punishing assassins like the murderer of President McKinley.
The CHAIRMAN said this was a matter that, fortunately, did not affect them. They had no anarchists in Hongkong.
PROPOSED EXHIBITION AT COBK,
Read letter from the Colonial Secretary, for- warding copy of despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, covering letter addressed to Colonial Office by the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture for Ireland asking if the Colonies would participate in an Indus- trial Exhibition to be opened at Cork in May, 1902. H. E. the Governor desired to have the views of the Committee on the subject,
It was decided to reply to the effect that the Commi tee approved the proposal, and suggested that the Government should take the matter up as was done successfully on the occasion of the Colonial and Indian Exhibition.
This was all the business of general interest.
THE FETE ON THE CRICKET GROUND.
On the 13th inst, a grand fête was given on the Shanghai visitors. A most elaborate scheme Cricket Ground in honour of our Straits and of decorative illuminations had been carried out with excellent effect, and when at nine o'clock the fête began the spectacle which these presented to the eye of the spectator was one of much beauty. All round the railings en- closing the ground were hang festoons of Chinese lanterns, Above the Pavilion, which was brilliantly lighted within, there was also a string of lamps, and every tree bore its quota, the effect produced by the fairy lamps half-hidden among the leaves being particularly beautiful: In the centre of the ground was situated a lofty, emblematic design resplendent with electric lamps. At the top appeared the letters
HK" below these a triangle with "C.C." in the interior; and underneath theso again were the letters “S.8" and "S".", denoting the The SECRETARY reported that, in accordanca visiting teams. The general scheme was most with decision come to at last meeting, a letter effective. From the frame-work of the central was, on the 24th Oct., addressed to the Govern design four streamers of variegated lanterns ment in reply to that of the Colonial Secretary stretched on each side, fastened at the lower end dated 16th Sep, announcing that H.E. the to poles stuck in the ground: The Committee Governor had r commended the appointment who had charge of the decorations were the Hon. Commander R. M. Rumsey, Mr. J. Barlow, of a Second Health Officer of the Port and ex-
A further and Mr. W. H. Wickham, manager of the pressing satisfaction therewith. letter was on the 30th Oct, consequent on a Hongkong Electric Company. These gentle- men cannot be too warmly praised for the suggestion by Mr. H. A. Ritchie, addressed to
needless the Colonial Secretary, pointing out the neces-pains they took in making and carrying out sity for any new Health Officer appointed being the arrangements; and of course it
to mention that upon Mf. P. A. Cox, the possessed of a Public Health Diploma to ensure his competence to deal with disinfection, seg. indefatigable Hon. Secretary, fell__also
He and gregation, and other questions connected with very heavy share of the work.
they had their reward in the complete quarantine.
success with which their efforts were attended. From nine o'clock onwards the visitors con- tinued to arrive at the Ground, entrance being obtained by the gates opposite the Club and Murray Barracks. Music was discoursed by the bands of the Royal Welch Fusiliers, the
Naval Band.
For- 2nd Rajputs, and a tunately for the comfort of the guests. the weather was all that could have been desired. A gentle wind stirred the leaves of the trees and made the lanterns dance, lending accentu- Mr. POATE said that a petition to the Secretion to the animated scone being enacted tary of State for the Colonies was being drawn underneath their glow. Among those pre- were His Excellency the Governor up and signed by the Shipping Firms, and it sent would be sent in to the Chamber for transmis and Major-General Sir William Gascoigne. The guests spent a pleasant hour in pro.. sion to the Government.
menading the ground and listening to the music, and at 10 o'clock were treated to a clever and most enjoyable ezhibition of club- swinging by a company of 40 men of the Royal Welch Fusiliers. This performance took placə
Read reply, dated 4th Nov., stating that H. E. the Governor would have pleasure in forwarding the suggestion to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
THE MERCHant shipping AMENDMENT
ORDINANCE.
The CHAIRMAN asked what had been done in connection with the amendment in No 16 of the Quarantine Regulations in the above Bill which had been rejected by the Government in Council.
THE BANKRUPTCY LAW,
The SECRETARY stated that, in conformity with the views expressed at the last meeting, a letter was despatched, on the 24th October, to the Government, concurring in certain proposals