January 16, 1904.
than one person that the dust-boats, taking sweepings away from their wharf at West Point, do not always go five miles out to sea rs is required of them, but sometimes they are seen discharging refuse, etc., into the harbour. Considering that some half-dozen 600-picul boats leave the pier every morning, it is of the almost importance that this matter should be investigated One old sea-dog says that if matters are allowed to go on as at present, the Government will be saved the trouble of building & Hongkong-Kowloon bridge. Seriously, though, anything tending to injure our harbour should be avoided. The cont not for removing the rubbish, by the way, is let out to Chinese
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
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Chinese children; and, indeed, children of all nationalities. But Chinese children seem to he particularly cruel in their treatment of animals. A day or two ago a couple of English ladies came upon a small gathering in Wellington | Street, the attraction being the amusement a couple of well-dressed Chinese girls were deriving from the torture of, a cat, which had been bound up in most hartless fashion and was being dragged along the s reet Boiling over with indignation, the ladies promptly intervened. The two girls ran, but ode -the worst offender-was caught, and in the presence of a crowd which quickly swelled to considerable proportions, the little wr toh was made to out with the scissors she had in her hand every bond which had been placed on the cat Aud after a vigorous shaking she herself ws let go. The crowd exhibited the usual unconcern of a Chiarse crowd,
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In placing on sale at the General Post Office one dollar books of stamps, which comprise 16 4-cent stamps, 12 2-cent, and 12 1-cent, the Post- master General is putting into practice a little idea which commends itself for convenience Most travelled people are vain of the number alike to the general public and the Post Office of foreign labels they can show on their trunks staff. One only wonders why such a simple and and ralises, Some make it is a practice o have yet very practical ide, has not been adopted the new ones. stuck on always on a fresh place, before. The tendency never to do to-day what so that by the time they have travelled a good you can do to-morrow asserts itself very strong many journeys their baggage comes to be. like ly in a good many people when letter-writing Joseph's coal, of many colours: A friend of is concerned; and there is always a great rush miue had a cabin trunk of which he was esp cial for stamps at the Post Office counter justly proud. Be invariably showed it to his friend before eac European or American Mail de- as one of his treasures, It was covered all.orer parts. The issue of books of stamps will with labels. One evening lately, on going doubtless tend to elier these crushes and home, his boy met him with smiling face, and, lighten the work of the clerks.
obviously expectans of "cumsha." for his un. usual diligence, informed the master that he had The chit system is so deeply rooted to the "makum clean that ole ag!" Sure enough Far East that even the latest griffin quickly the boy had carefully scraped the trunk clen develops a strong objection to pay cash when bis of every scrap of aper And he could not com chit will be taken with, just as much pleasure,prehend, either; why the owner swore. for the time being. But with the growth of the Colony one can notice in some directions à desire to supplant the old chit system by one which affords more protection' to the man who sells. A local baker, for example, has his books of coupons, which the customer buys just as she would buy a dollar book of stamps at the Post Office. On the call of the bakers mạn day's requirements are paid for in coupons. But I am afraid it is a long-jump from buying bread to the purchase of drink with coupons.
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the
Coming down Wyndham Street yesterday at 11.30 a.m., I saw a party of ladies and gentlemen who were purchasing, flowers, suddenly start to cough and choke and wipe their faces vigorously. On nearing the spot I discovered the cause of the annoyance to be a number of coolies who were jogging along with ordinary baskets slung on bamboos, and filled with fine powdered lime, from which at every step of the carriers clouds of the pulverised lime were sent flying into the air-into the eyes, noses, and over the clothes of the passers-by. The baskets were in no way protected, nor did the coolies take the slightest precautions in carrying them, thus giving considerable annoyance to the near-by pedestrians. believe there is an ordinance against nuis, auces, and surely this is one that calls for prompt action by the police, who should be anthorised to stop all coolies from carrying lime, of all things, along the public thorough fares in unprotected baskets. Other nuisances are abated by force of law. Why not this one?
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I noticed again, coming down from S. John's Cathedral to Queen's Road, that the side of the slope remains unprotected, notwithstanding the menace it is to the safety of pedestrians using that thoroughfare at night. Probably it is case of waiting until some prominent official- not necessarily of the P.W.D.-slips down and fractures a limb, before steps are taken to re- medy the menacing danger. A couple of par: allel bars, the highest being about four feet up from the walk, would provide the safety required.
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Hongkong now has its Society for the Pre- vention of Cruelty to Animals, and though it has not appeared in the reports, I do not doub that some of the prosecutions which have re- cently been reported have resulted from the activity of the Society. I venture to suggest to the Society that something might be done in the direction. of getting kindness to animals inculcated in the minds of the
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BANYAV.
HONGKONG · SANITARY BOARD.
A meeting of the Sanitary Board was held on Thursday afternoon in the Board Room. on: Dr. J. M. Atkinson prasided, and there also present. Hon. AW. Brewin, Registrar-General, Captain F. W. Lyons, Acting Captain Superintendent of Police; Mr. Fung W Chun; Mr.. Lau Chu Pak, Colonel, W. E. Webb, R.A.M.C., Hon. H.E. Pollock, K C., Mr. E. A., Hewett, Mr. A. Rumjahn, Dr. W. W. Peurse, Acting Med cal Officer of Health; Dr. B. Barnett, Assistant Medical Officer of Health; Mr. G. A. Woodcock (Secretary) and Mr. J. H. Kemp (Assistant Secretary).
APPLICATIONS.
The following applications were 'granted on the motion of the PRESIDENT:-
Application for exemption from the provision of a backyard in respect to No. 75, Kramer Street, Taikoktsui.
Dr. McFarlane, assistant M.O.H. Kowloon minnted :--The work bas DOW been done according to the plan.
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An application for exemption from the provision of an open space in respect to No. Macdonald Road, Yanmeti.
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Dr. McFarlane minuted -I think house No. 17 might be exempted as it is a corner house and has windows in the side.
Application for permission to erect au 8-seat latrine on the roof of h uses Nos. 130, and 132, Des Voeux Road, Central.
Dr. Barnett, Assistant M.O.H., miunted:- This is a common lodging-l use, The average uumber of persons living here is over 100. I think this permit might be granted. There are DOW in this position six latrines in 8 dilapidated condition and I think the new ones wil be a great improvement.
An application for permission to use the basement of No. 22 Western Street for the storage and preparation of preserved bean curd. Dr. Pearse, M.Q.H., minuted:-I recom-
be the appliction mend
granted if the windows into the side-lane be glazed so that the shutters need not be closel to keep ont dust.
Mr. E. A. Hewett minated :-Grant if in- structions-are carried out.
Mr. H. E. Pollack minuted Grant subject to the condition suggested by the M.O.H.
The following was refused :—
shade at the side of No. 183, Queen's Road, Application for permission to erect a sun-
West.
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Dr. Pearse minuted-The place evidently- intended as the tailor's workshop is xa encroach. menta t Li Ling Street, I recommend refusal.
SALE OF HUMAN FOOD.
Numerous applications for licences for the sale laid on the table: — of food for men ontside the public markets were
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Mr. Hanmer minuted: -Submittel with each application. reference to the C.V.S.8 minutes endorsed on
Mr. E. A. Hewett miuated'; If, as it would appear, these applications are not for liceuces business. I agree with th Captain Superiuten- ia shops but for what is practically a hawker's
deut of Police.
The Captain Superintendent of Police's minute was-Refuse them all. apply for licences as hawkers, which will net, They can however, allow them to locate themselves in these plices.
other town in the world is the sale of fruit Te Registrar-General minuted:-In what
restricted to marketa ?
In relation to the licences to sell fruit out- side market,
Board should deal with applications for such Mr. RUMJAHN raised the point whether the licences. He was of opinion that under the Ordinance fruit was exempted.
The REISTRAR-GENERAL said they could kers but could prevent it in the shops. · not prevent the sale of fruit by licensed haw-
The PRESIDENT said that if Mr. Rumjahn was not satisfied with this, they could refer the wat er to the Crown Solicitor and take his opinión.
This was agreed to.
The majority of the applications were r fused.
SALE OF PORK.
There were some five applications for licences to sell pork.
Dr. Barnett minated as follows :-Could you kindly let me know what recommendations I am expected to make with regard to licences for the sale of pork? From the point of view of public health I think it would be much better if all fresh meat. were sold in the market, but, as some licences are granted, I suppose this is not possible. I have lately had these licences handed to me for my opinion. "(1) No. 15 Wing Tung Street, ground floor. This is a dark premises facing into a narrow street. There is a 'ping-fing' which makes the back part dark. (2) No. 188 Queen's Road East, ground floor. Premises fairly lighted in front, but the back is partitioned off and used as a dwelling for five adults. (3) No. 2. Queen's Road Est, ground floor. A corner house well lighted and ventilated for a Chinese ground floor.” In none of these places does there seem any place for the storage of meat, and they (certainly not 1 and 2) are not open throughout as is the rule with butchers' shops at home
Mr E. A. ewett minutal-Pork should not be sold in outside shops except when there is not sufficient accommodation in the markets, or when a demand for a shop e cista at a distance from a market.
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Mr. H. E. Pollock,minuted:-It seems desirable that pork should be sold in the market rather than in a shop.
The Registrar-General minuted: --All these might as well be renewed till the Wanchai Market extension is ready for occupation.
Most of these applications were also refused.
REFUSED.
An application was submitted for permission to use the basement of No. 35 Centre Street for the preparation and storage of food.
Mr. T. P. Conolly minuted:-No licence should be granted for this basement for the manufacture of food stuffs: the light is very defective and the basement is in every way
unsuitable for this trade.
Dr. Pearse minuted :—I d· not consider the place fit for its present use in the manufacture and storage of bean curd.
Messrs. E. A. Hewett, H. E. Pollock, and the D. P W. minuted: Refuse.
The applicati n was refused on the motion of the PRESIDENT, seconded by Hon. Mr. POLLOCK.