May 21, 1904.]
HONGKONG SANITARY
BOARD
A meeting of the Sanitary Board was held on the 19th inst. in the Board Room. Hon. Dr. J. M. Atkinson presided, and there were also present Hon. P. Ñ. Jones (Vice-President). Hon. A. W. Brewin, Registrar-General; Mr. Fang Wa Chun; Colonel W. E. Webb, RAM.C.; Mr. A. Rumjahn; Hon. H. E. Pollock, K.C.; Mr. E. A. Hewett; Dr. W. W. Pearse, Medical Officer of Health; Mr. F. J. Badeley, Captain Superintendent of Police; Dr. Barnett; and Mr. T. A. Hanmer (Acting Secretary).
The minutes of the last meeting were con firmed.
ESTIMATES FOR 1905.
A minute by the Medical Officer of Health recommended that certain works be provided for in the Estimates for Public Works for 1905. The PRESIDENT said that with reference to this minute he did not know whether the mem- bars desired to consider the matter in committee. A mortuary at Yaumati required consideration, and also the matter of public bath houses at Kowloon and Western Street. The bath house for Chinese at Wanchai was a great success; the more they had the better. Moreover, if these were granted the temporary bath house at Western and Centre Streets could be done away with. He moved that a recommendation be forwarded to the Government.
Mr. FUNG WA CHUN seconded.
Mr. HEWETT supported the motion, saying he thought, from a sanitary viewpoint, that they had better have bath houses all over the City. The Chinese would use them very larzely.
The motion was put to the meeting and carried.
DRAINAGE OF THE CITY.
Further correspondence was laid on the table with reference to the drainage of the City.
Mr. Rumjahn minuted: I strongly object to the words sanitary surveyor in Bye-law 27 as suggested by the Acting M.O.H. until the Colony has been provided with a proper qualified man. as those holding the same position in England must be civil engineers and must pass a certain examination in hygiene and public sanitation and are invariably members of the Sanitary Institute."
Mr. Lau Chu Pak: This should be referred to the sub-committee."
Mr. Hewett: "Refer to the sub-committee." The D. P. W.:- I presume Mr. Rumjahn does not refer to the acting Sanitary Surveyor ?" Mr. RUMJAHN thought a qualified drainage surveyor should be provided for Hongkong, one of the largest shipping ports of the world."
The PRESIDENT proposed that they leave the matter to the committee already appointed. Mr. HEWETT seconded and it was carried. EXTERNAL AIR.
Further correspondence was received relative to the question of external air in respect of Nos. 4 to 66, Bridges Street,
The PRESIDENT recommended an exemption be granted.
Mr. FUNG WA CHUN seconded and it was granted.
ÉXEMPTION.
The Board also considered an application for exemption from the requirements of Sub-section 4 of Section 188 of the Buildings Ordinance.
The PRESIDENT explained that this applica- tion was from the new hospitial adjacent to the Nethersole Hospital. A great quantity of earth would have to be cut away to set the proper width. He proposed that exemption be granted. Mr. HEWETT seconded, and the motion was agreed to
Further correspondence was considered re- lative to the application for exemption from the provisions of Sections 180 (1) and 141 of Ordinance 1 of 1903. in respect of No. 438, Des Voeux Road.
The PRESIDENT stated that these premises were to be used as a godown. If later they discontinued to be used as a godown the matter would have to come before the board again.
THE PEAK STATION.
A plan was submitted for a proposed urinal in the engine-house at the Peak Tramway terminus.
Mr. HEWETT said he went six times a day past this vicinity. At times there was no water
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE RÉPORT,
in the place at all, or, at all events, an ex- ceedingly small supply.
The PRESIDENT, interrupting, said they were alluding to the water in the engine house.
Mr. HEWETT said he knew, but if they had no water in the engine house they could not use it-laughter). should not be used for flushing urinals; it Besides, that precious water would be more appropriate for household
purposes.
Colonel WEBB said that if the water went to waste it would be better to use it at the urinal.
387
of Cyrus W: Gilfain, proprietor of the Island of Florodera. Dolores, the heroine, was pleasing J impersonated by Miss Ernestine
Wit.. The piece proved a good "hit,"
On Thursday the Dallas Musical Dramatic Company were again favoured with a very fair house, when they reproduced the ever popular musical comedy Florodora. As in the previous performance the principal parts were sustained with considerable animation, and the pleasing witticisms of Anthony Tweedlepunch, so ably In the dry season they could use buckets. He undoubtedly the feature of the performance. impersonated by Mr. Percival Knight, were made a proposition to this effect.
One and all worked hard to make the play a success, and taking into consideration the draw- backs consequent upon the time of the year; the evening's performance was quite up to the standard expected of this well-known company.
The PRESIDENT seconded. Mr. HEWETT asked what was meant by the dry season. His coolies and other coolies eked out every drop of water from the place that they could.
Dr. ATKINSON said it was only intended to use the water that went through the engine.
Mr. HEWETT contended that this would not be sufficient to flush an urinal properly.
It was decided to make enquiries into the matter.
BAKEHOUSES.
for Bake-house Licences, in respect of Nos. 21 Correspondence relative, to the applications and 30, Sham Shui Po. and the unsatisfactory condition of the drainage in that village was received.
The PRESIDENT moved that the application he granted on condition that the premises be kept clean, whitewashed, etc.
Hon. Mr. POLLOCK seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
Further correspondencs relative to the application for a Bakehouse Licence, in respect of No. 34, Queen's Road Central. was also considered.
Mr. HEWETT thought that Mr. Weismann should be treated the same as anyone else. There should not be urinals unless a proper supply of water was provided. A bake house license might be granted on condition that the waterclosets be removed.
It was decided that if Mr. Weismann could get an independent supply of water he could use the closets,
RAT RETURN.
It was reported that during the fortnight ended 16th May 1,050 rats, of which 9 were infected,were caught.
WATER ANALYSIS.
The Government Analyst reported that his analysis of the public water supplies showed the water to be of excellent quality.
COLLISION BETWEEN HONGKONG
AND CANTON.
t
[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]
Canton, 19th May. The night steamer Taion has been in collision with the Kwangtung off the Salt Flats, near Whampoa.
It is understood that the Kwangtung, at the time, was endeavonring to avoid a fishing-junk, which was sunk.
The Taion, as far as I can gather, struck the Kwangtung on the port quarter.
Both steamers. sustained heavy damage. amounting, perhaps, to $15,000.
Passengers had to take native boats to come to Canton.
(The Kwangtung is a steamer belonging t the Yuen On S.S. Co. Ld.. running between Hongkong and Canton in conjunction with the Shin On s.s. Kwongchow. The Taion is a river steamer belonging to the Tai On 8.8. Co., Ld.—ED. D.P]
THE DALLAS CO. AT THE THEATRE ROYAL.
AMOY.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT]
Amoy, 13th May.
SOCIAL NEWS. Dr. Merz has returned from Tsinanfu and resumed charge of the German Consulate here. Mr. J. J. Danae, Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co.'s Agent, is shortly proceeding to Shanghai, his successor, Mr. A. E. Allen, having already arrived. Mr. Dunne's departure will cause a vacancy in the Kulangen Municipal Council,
NAVAL MOVEMENTS.
We have been exceptionally well favoured with visi's from mau-of-war litely. HII. d.'s Veltor Pisani left for Singapore homeward bound on 30th ult. the Marco Polo also sailing same day, for Shanghai. U.9.8. Frolic from Chafoo left for Cavite on 2ud after a short stay. Our old friend H.M.S. Rumbler arriv d from Hongkong on 2nd inst, and will be here or in the vicinity for some mouths; ber last survey is being finished off and additional work done on sid the entrance to Amoy. The Chili an training-ship General Baquedano put in here for a day or two whilst on aer way from Hong- kong to Shaugbai; she experienced rather heavy weather on the way up.
The Dallas
at Company opened the Theatre Royal for a second short season Monday last. Kitty Grey was the piece selected on for the first night and it was repeated on Tuesday with fair success. On Wednesday the Company played Florodora to a good house. Mr. Percival Knight as usual greatly amused the audience. his part being that of Anthony Tweedlepunch, the phrenologist. Mr. Frank Cochrane ably personated Frank Abercold, and Mr. Albert E. Rees took the role.
*
The British fleet is honouring us with a brief visit, having arrived last Wednesday. The vessels are H.M.S. Glory, Albion, Ocean. Venge- ance, Centurion, and Amphitrite. This is prob bly the most powerful squadron that has visited Amoy, and the formidable appearance presented by the ships as they steamed into port in two columns was the subject of much satisfied comment amongst the spectators who turned out to view the arrival of the fleet.
The latest arrival is H.M S. Sirius; she will leave to-morrow for Hongkong and singapore,
CANTON.
[FROM THE
CHUNG NGOI SAN PO.”.
:
BUTCHERS ON STRIKE. Prefecture went on strike, their grievance being Some days ago all the butchers in Chinchow
a new tax.
Marchants, traders, etc., fearing that they also would be likewise burdened, chased bination would with violence oppose the new anonymous posters (saying that a heavy com- tax) to be placarded liberally. A few days later, when the military and others went to the Confucius Temple to hold service, the incensed populace surrounded the building, threatening Magistrate thereupon sent out yamen-runners to set fire to it. The Hoiyeung District
against the mob, who stoned them, the Taotai to make arrests. As the ruuners were helpless
called out a company of soldiers to escort the officers from the temple to his yamen. The rioters then made an attack on the Butcher-tax Farmer's house, taking out his furniture and burning it. Officials became greatly excited as rumours were current to the effect that members of the Samtim Society were day the gates wre closed at 2 p.m. persuading the people to seize the city. Nex.
The Trotai, after “hanging fire" a little longer, had to give way; he personally visited sach street and asked the storekeepers to resume business.
CHARGE AGAINST A MAGISTRATE. Pui Ring Fook, the late Namhoi magistrat e. Viceroy Shum is making a charge against He has engaged three Portuguese lawyers from
1