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said, it was estimated that there would be a credit balance of $187. It had been remarked that a ridiculously low sum had been placed down for furnishing the new building. The amount was $360, which he admitted was ridiculously low in itself, but when one considered that a large amount of the fur- niture had been privately promised, it would be ample for the few small trifles that would have to be obtained. At the end of five years, when Sir Paul Chater's subsidy expired, it was said that there would be a deficit. That might be true, but he did not think that it was fair that a building committee should be made to provide for generations of Hongkong people to come. If there was a deficit they would be perfectly justified in calling a meeting to ask for further subscriptions. Naturally he hoped that the Colony was increa-ing and that greater demand would be made for the nurses. In other directions there were indications of improvement. Canton had asked upon what terms they could be supplied with a nurse. Everything pointed to increasing pro- sperity and work for the Institution and nurses. He did not think one should take a pessimistic view and say that they could only look five years ahead and then go to rack and ruin. In five years there would be others come forward with donations; if they went on the principle that they could only see five years ahead he thought there would be few hospitals in Great Britain. although the cases were hardly analagous.
Mr. POLLOCK rose to oppose the motion. He said that after considering the scheme he had come to the conclusion that it ought not to be supported by the meeting. On account of the generosity of Sir Paul Chater and Mr. Stephens he was reluctant to say that, but he thought that such an institution as the Hong. kong Nursing Institute should be run on sound financial lines. The Institution was not an ordinary charitable institution. The nurses were not availed of by the general public but a certain class of more or less well-to-do people. and he felt sure that they would be of opinion that it should be run on sound financial lines. and his objection to the present scheme was that it was not on a sound financial basis. The circular sent out erred on the side of some of the
expenditure items being too low. One instance was that of the matron's salary. The figure put down was $40 per month, and he wanted to
know whether a suitable matron could be secur.
ed for that figure. Repairs were placed down as $100 per year; this he thought was very small. -With regard to the question of food for the matron and nurses, he said that if four to Bix persons were running a mess the practice might work out at the figure stated. but where the nurses were liable to be away for days together he did not think that the matron's food would be procurable at $1 per day. Another item missed altogether was a telephone; what would be the use of an institute for nurses without a telephone: it was a very important matter. The cost of that would be about $80 to $100 per month. If the scheme were rejected there would be two alter- natives to go on as they had been going, or to prevail on the Government to house the nurses at the Victoria Hospital. At the last meeting, if he remembered rightly, they heard harsh words about Dr. Stedman. He did not know if Dr. Stedman was willing to carry on. There seemed to be professional rivalry amongst the practi- tioners. Regarding the other scheme, when the subscriptions for the Diamond Jubilee Fund were being taken up the public were asked to subscribe towards three objects. one was the Jubilee Road, the second the Jubilee Hospital, and the third the Nursing Institute. Those were the three objects to which the people were asked to subscribe and did subscribe. If he was correct it seemed to him that they had a good case to bring before the Govern- ment to allot a portion of the Victoria Hos- pital to be used for housing the nurses. He moved as an amendment that the Hongkong Government be approached with a view to set apart a sufficient portion of the Victoria Hospi- tal to house the nurses and matron. He was altogether opposed to the present scheme, but, having respect for the opinions of others, he simply proposed that the present scheme be postponed (applause).
Mr. PLAYFAIR seconded Mr. Pollock's amendment, saying that the trained nurses had
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
been brought out from England to do the ple's work, but not for charity. He did not peo- think it was right that the subscribers should be the recipients of charity. They were able to pay for the nurses.
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Dr STEDMAN quite agreed with what Mr. Pollock had said; the Nurses Institute could not be run on the figures given. The figures given in regard to furnishing the house were not sufficient; one person had promised linen and another the crockery, but even with that $350 was not sufficient. During last year the nurses had been employed by the Peak Hospital and had been paid 8380, this year already they had been employed to the extent of $340, but as two extra nurses were on their way out from England to be attached to the Peak Hospital staff the further earnings of the nurses from the Peak Hospital would be small. He remarked that the Peak Hospital was a necessity to them if they wished to keep their private practice. If people went into the Government Civil Hospital the family Doctors were not allowed to at. tend them, while if they went to the Peak Hospital they coull have the same Doctor at- tending them. If the doctors in the Colony, or any of them desired to become partners in the Peak Hospital, he and Dr. Rennie would be glad. The Government had given them $12,000 as their share in the Jubilee fund.
Dr. JORDAN said that Dr. Stedman being willing to have other doctors join him at the Peak Hospital had nothing to do with it. His objection to the nurses remaining at the Peak Hospital, was that public nurses had no right to live in private hospitals.
Mr. PLAYFAIR said that everyone had made up their minds, and it was already late for tiffin. They had better take a vote.
Mr. POLLOCK's amendment was carried by 30 votes to eight, and the meeting closed.
KOWLOOV DOCKS.
VESSELS BUILDING AND STEAMERS UNDER REPAIR.
The Kowloon Docks have broken their Kinshan record. by name, will probably be launched on the 14th The new steamer, Shanghai
inst. She has been built to the order of the China Navigation Co., Ld., being intended for the Lower Yangtsze trade. The vessel is an imposing-looking craft. having three decks and twin-screws. She is 310 ft. in length. 46 ft. beam. and 14.3 ft. draught; her tonnage is about 2,000. She is the largest steamer by far that has ever been built in this Colony. At present her hull decks, fittings (cabins, rails, etc.) are nearing completion, an army of car- penters, fitters, riveters, blacksmiths and others being employed at the work. As this is the typhoon season there is not a little anxiety about launching a new craft; such vessels are much safer on the stocks when the wind blows "high. ̈
It is necessary, however, for the Shanghai to go under the big sheerlegs to receive her boilers and heavy machinery she must take the water in a few days.
and several of the new boats, no doubt, are in- Boat-builders are particularly busy at present.,
tended for the Shanghai.
a
GEODETIC DEPARTMENT STEAMERS.
Another job in hand is the construction of single-screw steamer for the U.S. Geodetic Department. an order given by the Insular Government. At present this vessel is all "bone." the plates not having been riveted as yet to her iron ribs. She is 144 ft. between perpendiculars, and if 9 ft. are added for her quarter this roughly gives the length at 153 ft. overall.
is
The Pathfinder, a vessel
also belonging to the U.S. Geodetic Department, alongside at the Kowloon Dook under- going repairs. When our representative visited her shown around by one
yesterday he was courteously of the officers. The surveying appliances on
board are interesting. For instance, there is a Sigsbee very deep sea sounding machine, an invention by the late captain of the blown-up Maine. This apparatus, a great improvement on Lord Kelvin's patent, sounds up to 6,000 fathoms. A 751b. shot, attached to a single thread of very thin steel wire, is let go for sounding purposes. While it is sinking, of course, the
wire
[July 11, 1904.
great speed, but as soon as it strikes the is pulled off the reel at a very bottom of the sea the shot automatically detaches itself, leaving nothing at the end of the wire butasmall fixture that brings up a specimen of the bottom soil, sand or stone, as the case may be.
Another apparatus on board is the Marine Sentinel." This can be sunk to any shallow depth that may be required, and is is towed along while searching for shoal water. If the fixture touches bottom it immediately turns over and comes to the surface, an alarm ringing on deck at the same time. Hydrographic sheets showing the results of many surveys, are very interesting.
THE IBADAN,"
The
The Ibadan is on the slips undergoing a thorough overhaul. Though a Brit sh vessel she has been running as a U.S. hired transport around the Philippine Islands for the past two years. She left Manila on the 24th ult., rode the typhoon out of Marivelles Bay, visited San Fernando, P.I., and then came to Hongkong. Her owners are Messrs. Clerk & Co., of Bang. kok and London.
NEW STAR FERRY BOAT.
The hull of a new · Star ferry-boat, a double-ended wooden craft like the rest, has been completed, and beds have already be.n laid for the engines.
OTHER JOBS. Other jobs include the construction of a new hopper for the use of the Dock Co.
and boiler sheds, etc., are, as usual, in full The saw-mills, blacksmiths' shops, riv ting swing. Yesterday morning the 6.8. Taiyuan was in No. 2 dry-dock, but Nos. 1 and 3 dry- docks were empty. The immediate prospects, however, are bright. One job at hand is that of repairing the damaged Sikh. The Sikh arrived here from Manila on Wednesday with a damaged stern-frame, as already reported.
HONGKONG'S WATER SUPPLY.
~:0:
At present all the water tanks, excepting that at Taitam, are overflowing. Water at the Taitam Reservoir is about seven feet from the
end of June. top, having thus added about nine feet since the
The Water Return, giving the level and storage of water in the reservoirs on the 1st instant, and a comparison with the situation at corresponding date of last year, shows the following figures ---
STORAGE GALLONS.
Tytam Bywash Pokfulam Wongneicheong
1903.
1904. 387,320,000 263,340,000 5,334,000
66,000,000 66,000,000 29,728,000 30,459,000
Total 483,048,000 365,133,000 The consumption of water in the City of Victoria and the Hill District during the month of June was 88,898,000 gallons' as com- pared with 130,139,000 during the corresponding period of last year. This may find explanation in the fact that last year we were on full supply; this year, to the 4th inst., the supply has been intermittent. The estimated population this year is 224,100, against 219,200 last year. These figures give the consumption per head per day at 13.2 gallons against 19.7 gallons during June of 1903. An intermittent supply was in force last month.
The consumption of water at Kowloon during June was 14,418,000 gallons against 13,315,000 gallons last year. The estimated population being 68,300 against 62,450 last year, the con- sumption per head per day is recorded at 7 gallons against 7.1 gallons during June 1903.
The Government Analyst reports that the water is of excellent quality.
The present prospects of water are improving.
The present unfortunate cable interruption with Foochow was doubtless caused by the
raging at Sharp Peak The buildings at typhoon which is reported to have been
the Cable Station were somewhat dam. aged and the aerial telegraph line thence to Foochow was interrupted by the storm. Tele- graphic communication with Foochow remains very uncertain, almost all routes being reported in bad order, and it must be a day or two before the cables can be repaired.
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