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HONGKONG SANITARY BOARD.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
8T RM WARNINGS.
In accordancs with the decision arrived at A meeting of the Sabitory Board was
the last monthly meeting a circular Letter was, held on the 27tb ult. in the Poard Room,
on the 13th nit, addressed to all the shipping Present:-Dr. J. M A kigson, Principal Civil firms and agencies in the Fort asking then Medical Officer (President); Mr. C. Mcl.
to collect information from their shipmas'ers on Messer, Acting Registrar-General; Lieut.. the subject of the publication of storm w rn- Colonel G. A. Hughes, R.AM.C. Mr. E.ngs and to send on their views to the hamber Os orne, Mr. Fung Wa Chun. Mr. Lau Chn in order that a better scheme for the diffusion Pak and Mr. G. A Woolcock (Secretary).
of weather information by the Hongkong Observatory may be formulitel for the cou sideration of the Governmen'.
MANILA FREE OF CHOLERA.
A letter was rand from HB.M.'s Consul at Manila stating that that port had been declared frea of cholera, and that he was issuing a clean bill of health.
The PRESIDENT moved that the Board request the Government to make enquiries as to the reported recrudescence of cholera in Manila.
Lieut -Col. HUGHES secondel, and the motion was agreed to unanimously.
HONGKONG CLUB A NEXE
An application was submitted for permission to (rect six water-clo ets and one urinal at the annexe to the Hougkong Club and also accom- modation for Chinese serrauts.
Mr. Osborne minated :-"Do not grant unless applicants provide a constant supply of water from a wall independently of the Govern ment supply."
On the propisal of the PRESI ENT, seconded by Mr. OSB RNE, it was agreed to grant the application on the understanding that the usual requirements of th Board in such cases were complied with.
ERACTION OF URIVALY.
An application was made for permission to erect minals at a new building on Marine Lot No. 101,
Mr. Osborne minuted: Do not grant unless applica's s'nk a well and provide pumps to maintain a constant supply of water. They must not rely on the Government supply."
The Medical Officer of Health minuted: "I agree with Mr. Osborne."
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The SECRETARY reported that a number of replies had been received and, after some dis. cu sion it was decided to ask the Peninsular & Ori utal S.N. Co. Jardine, Matheson & Co. aud Butterfiell & Swire e cli to send a shipping repres ntative to form a sub committee to re- port on the matter sent into the Chamber.
CHINESE STOWAWAYS TO PHILIPPIN S. In accordance with the opinion expressed at the last monthly meeting further representa tions were made to the Government in a letter dated 13th ultimo, in which attention was specially drawn to the fac's of the case of the 8.8. Loongsang and asking His Excellency the Governor to reconsider this matter with a view to making the penalty a really deterrent que, ie, imprisonment with hard labour in addition to, or inst ad of, the infliction of a fine. In answer the Colonial Secretary replied on the 17th ult. stating that H.E. the Governor was awaiting an answer from the American authorities on this subject, and that on its re- ceipt further communicatio is would be addressed-; to the Chamber.
After some discussion it was agreed to wait another fortnight and then, failing a reply, make further enquires from the Goverument es to the attitude they were prepared to assume ou this subject.
MERCHANT SHIPPING AMENDMENT ORDINANCE.
Read circular letter dat d 19th ult, written in accordance with the decision come to at the It was agreed to reply in the terms of Mr. lust mcnthly meeting, addressed to the Chambers Osborne's minute.
MORTALITY STATISTICS,
It was reportel that the death rate during the we k eaded 15th November was 21.1 per 1.000 of the population per annum as against 22.1 in the previous wek and 19.7 in the orresponding week of the previous year.
RAT-CATCHING.
It was reported that the number of rats killed during the weeks ended 17th and 21th November were 2,718 and 2,701 respectively, of which 54 were found to be infected.
LIMEWASHING.
The limewashing returns showed that 2,682 houses in the Cent al District and 518 in the Western District had been treated. In the for ner district there were 9 pr. seculions and $14 in tines.
This was all the public business.
HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
At a meeting of the General Committee of the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce heid in the Chamber Room, City Hall, on Tues- day, the 18th November at 3. 0 p.m. Present: Hn. C. S. Harp (Chairman) Mr. W. Poate (Vice Chairman Messrs. N. A. Siebs, J. R. M. Smith, H. E. Tomkins. R C. Wilcox Hon. R. Shewan (ex-officio), and A. R. Low- (Secretary)
RESIGNATION OF MR. A. HAUPT.
of Commerce of London, Glasgor, Liver, ool, and South-mpton, placing before them all the grounds of objection raised by the Shipping interes s of this Colony aud the steps taken to endeavour to obtain the elimination from the Ordinance of the Clauses making ship-owers liable for the costs and expenses of passengers who have died, or have been taken ill on board, aud who hire ben removed therefrom under the Quarantine Regulations of the Ordinance, on their arrival in this Colony, a d asking for their co-oparation and support with a view to the repeal of the Regulation objected to.
The SECRETARY reported that letters were also sent to the Hongkong Governmen', to the shipping firms and agencies in this Colony who had originally petitioned against the innovation, informing them of the decision of the Committee on this subject and the further steps proposed to be taken.
The CHAIRMAN said they could only await result of the correspondence with the Home Chambers.
ADDITIONAL FACILITIES FOR TRAFFIC ON THE WET RIVER.
The SECRETARY 'reported that no reply had as yet been received from Sir E. Satow in auswer to the representations on this subject conveyed in the letter from the Chamber of the 8th ult.
A letter was real from the Colouial Secre. tar, dated 20th ult. enclosing copy of H.E. the Governor's letter of 2 th September last, sup porting the requests of the Shipping Companies interests. and also a letter from the same source, dated 25th ult, enclosing copy telegram from Sir E. Satow, dated 16th ult., stating that he would reply on receipt of a communication from the Coasul General at Canton on this subject.
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[December 1, 1902.
cellency the Governor having cuefully consider- ¦e this question, sces no reason to change the decision arrival at by Sir W. Gascoigne, which was communicated to you in my letter No. 1,574 of the 15th of last July.-I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant,
F. H. MAY, Colonial Secretary.
A letter wa read, dated 1st instant, from Mr. A. Haup resigning his membership of the Committee in view of his appro ching departure from the Col ny The Secretary reported that a reply had been sent to Mr. A. Haupt on 11th instant, acknowledging the receipt of his letter
The CHAIRMAN said there was no official in and thanking him for his services on the Com-formation to hand, but it was generally under- mittes during the past four and a half years.
stoo that the facilities asked for had been: ELECTION OF NEW MEMBER OF COMMITTEE, Krauted, subject to arrangements being made
The
(HAIRMAN proposed that Mr. ('. Michelan be invited to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. A. Haupt. This was seconded by Mr. N. A. SILBS aud carried nuanimously.
NEW MEMBER.
The SECRETARY reported that Messrs. Edwards, Piry & Co, Ld., had been duly elected to membership since the last meeting.
as to the port of call to Le selected.
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THE PRO OSED LICEN ING OF PILOTS. The foll wing letter was read :-
Colonial Secretary's Office,
16th October, 1902. SIR-I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 29th ultimo, on the subject of the proposal for the licensing of pilots at this Port, and to inform you that His Ex-
The SECRET BY,
Chamber of Commerce.
The S CRETARY reported that with the object of obtaining further information and support a circular letter was sent on the 1st instant to the shipping firms ant agencies in the Colony on this subject, and asking for replies to be sent in before the end of the mouth. NEW PUBLIC HEALTH AND BUILDINGS BILL. The copy of the Petition to His Excellency the Governor from the principal European land. owners in the Colony regarding the Public Health and Buildings Bill 1902 (since with- drawn) was laid on the table and a letter read, dated 14th instant, from the Chairman of the European Laud-owners' Committee enclosing a copy of letter to Hoa Dr. Ho Kai, C.M.Q.. Senior Unofficial Member of the Legislative Council, conveying the opinion of the principal European laud-owners that the second reading of the substituted Bill should be postponed for a mouth to en ble the owners thoroughly to consider its provisi ns and asking the unofficial members to support them in their contention.
CONNECTION OF HONGKONG AND HWATOW BY EAST RN XTENSION AUSTRALASIA AND CHINA CABLE.
A letter was read, da'ed 10th ult., from Messrs Bradley & Co., asking the Chamber's support to an application recently made to the E E.A. & C. Telegraph Co., to connect Swatow with Hongkong by cable.
The SECRETARY reported that from enquiries made at the local ffices of the T legraph Company, it appeared that the suggestion had been sent Home to the Company's directors, but so far sufficient time had not elapsed for any decisi n to be mide known.
It was-r solved to await the determination of the Telegraph Company bef re moving in the matter.'
PROPOSED METRIC SYSTEM OF WEIGHTS AND MEASULES,
Read letter from Colonial Secretary, dated 28th ult., transmitting copy of circular despatch, containing copy of a res lu ion passed by the Col uil Premiers from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated 9th September last, enquiring whether the Chamber views favour- ably the proposal to adopt the metrin system of weights and measures for usia Hongkong.
It was unanimously agreed to reply that the Committee strongly supported the suggestion for the establishment of the metric syst m of weights and measures throughout the Empir
PROPUS D' PARCEL POST EXCHANGE
WITH UNITED STATES.
A letter was red from the Amoy Chamber of Commerce, dated 17th ultimo, enclosing copy of letter written to the Acting Postmaster General of Hongkong, on the subject of the establishment of a direct arcel Post exchange with the United States of America, and asking for the support and co-operation of this Chamber.
The ECETARY reported that representationa with this end in view were made to the Govern- ment in a letter written to the Colonial Secretary, of 3rd` instant, and it was also pointed out that the revenue accruing from the service would doubtless be specially welcome at the present time to the Government of the Colony.
A reply was Secretary, dated 11th instant, stating that on the 4th instant His Excellency the Governor had despatched a letter to the Secretary of State for the Colonies suggesting that steps this Colony and the U.S. 4.similar to the parcel should be taken to ex cute a convention between post convention between the U 8.A. and the Windward Islands, wh ch was sigaed at Wash- ington on 24th Feburary. 1892.
received from the Colonial
THE OFFICIAL TELEGRAPH VOCABULARY. Read letter, dated 18th ulf., from Mr. Von der 1 fordien, Manager in China of the Joint Telegraph Companies informing the Chamber that the postponed International Telegraph Conference would be held in London on 26th May next, and a'so letter in reply, dated 28th alt, thanking Mr. Pfordten for his courtesy in forwarding this information.
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