232
in its essence, snobbery is universal.
We
may even go so far as to assert that there is no one more snobbish than the person who complains of snobbery. And his is the only form of it which we are not concerned to defend.
HONGKONG SANITARY
BOARD.
A meeting of the Sanitary Board was held in the Board Room on the 4th April. Dr. F. Clark (President) presided, and there wer also present Hon. Mr. W. Chatham (Vice President), Mr. F. J. Badeley, Hon. Mr. A. W. Brewin. Col. W. E. Webb, R.A.M.C., Mr. H. E. Pollock, K., Mr. A. Ramjahn, Mr. Lan Chu Pak, Dr. H. Macfarlane, Dr. Moore, Dr. Pearse, and Mr. G. N. Orme (Secretary).
A NEW SECRETARY,
THÉ HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
44
If
you
The Secretary of the Board replied :— 88 follows:--- The stamp referred to reads
do not understand - English and do not know what is written in this letter go to the Sanitary Board for information and translation." This is impressed on all letters sent from this office or forms partly priated such as letters re non-compliance with building, limewashing, nuisance and other notic-s. The letters which are entirely typewritten are comparatively few, and are mostly addressed to Chinese who have written t the Board in English.
Mr. Rumjain minuted-All notices should be translated similar to those for filling up rat
runs.
Mr. Lau Chu Pak minuted-I agree with the Hoo. Registrar General. All the inspectors should be instructed to explain when asked. I may say that in the majority of cases people are prosecuted and fined more for | ignorance and want of explanation than for wilful negligence or non-compliance.
The REGISTEar General moved that the
The PRESIDENT-His Excellency the Gorer-stamp on the Sanitary Board letters be alt red so as to inform the reoi; ient that explanations nor has appointed Mr. Orme Secretary of the
of the letters are obtainable at the Central and Sanitary Board pending the retura of Mr.
Branch office of the Sanitary Board, and that Woodcock (Applause.
the inspectors be instructed to see to such translations and explanations.
io.
MR. HEWETT's successor, Mr. POLLOCK-Have you got any formation as to what the Government is going to do regarding a successor to Mr. Hewett during his absence ?
The PRESIDENT-The Ordinance lays down that till a member has been absent for six months & successor cannot be appointed unless the member resigns, and Mr. Hewett has not resigned.
Mr. POLLOCK-Though there is such a rule, on another similar occasion it was said that measures would be taken to prevent such action in the future.
The PRESIDENT-I will make enquiries and let the members know.
CEMETERY. BYELAWS.
The Secretary of the Sanitary Board on the 23rd March wrote to the Colonial Secrət ¡ry, saying that at the meeting of the Board, on the 21st March, the principles of sanita- tion relative to the burial of bodies were dis. onssed, and, upon hearing the opinion of the Medical officer of Health, it was felt that the requirement of a depth of seven feet for graves inflicted an unnecessary expense upon the public without safe guarding the public was accordingly decided to amend Sections four and fourteen of the Cemeteries Byelaws by substituting "five" for "geven.”
health
in
any
way.
It
His Excellency the Governor replied that he was not prepared to agree to any amend ment of Cemetery Byelaws Nos, four and fourteen on the lines indicated by the Board's resolution.
at
CHINESE TRANSLATIONS The Registrar General (Hon. Mr. Brewin) forwarded a minute relative to the furnishing of Chinese translations of letters written by the Board to Chinese. He said :-Towards the and
discus-ion B of last year there was a meeting of the Board as to the furnishing of Chinese translations of letters written by the Board to Chinese. I have since been told that a stamp in Chinese is affixed to ach letter to Chinese telling them to apply at the Board's office if they want it interpreted. letters from the I have seen numerous
26
Sanitary Department, but I have never yet seen this stamp affixed, and I learn from on- quiries that it is not on every letter. If the present procedure is to be adhered to it would be advisable (1) to have the notice printed on the letter paper (2) to alter the notice to read an explanation of this letter will be given on application at the Board's office or at a District Office between the hours of .
People should not be compelled and to come to the Central office from Kowloon, Causeway Bay or Kennedy Town. Thirdly, there should also be a notice in English to the effect that District Inspectors are directed to explain this communication. Fourthly, the instructions to these inspectors should contain an instruction that it is part of their duty to explain these letters, and a fixed time should be given when the inspectors should be in
· attendance at their offices.
Mr. LAU CHU PAK seconded and it was carried.
APPLICATIONS.
The following applications were refused :— Application for exemption from carrying out certain works in respect of the maf o's quarters in the stables on Kowloon Inland Lot No. 525. Application for a modification of the requirements in respect of Nos. 408 to 426, Des Voeux Road West.
SHAM SHUI PO MARKET.
Mr. Adam Gibson, the Colonial Veterinary Surgeon, wrote:-The ground surface of the Sham Shui Po Market is in a very bad condition. There are no proper channels for the surface water and it forms pools here and there and is very offensive. The whole surface ought to be levelled and concreted, and side channels made. I understand that the Government has not as yet taken over this market, but that the kaifong of the village arranges the letting of the spaces and collects rents. These, it is said, amount to from $20 to $30 per annum socording to their I beg to suggest that the kaifong be position. approached to see if they are willing to do some- thing to improve the present state of affairs, and if not the Government take over the place and put it in a sanitary condition. I do not suggest that a market should be erected there in the meantime, but simply that the ground surface be made impervious to water and vermin and that the occupants erect their own fittings as is done at present.
The Registrar General minuted:~It is out of the question getting the kaifong to do anything unless they can be guaranteed the revenue from these stalls for some time. I hear the annual revenne amounts to between $200 and $250 and goes to religious ceremonies and the upkeep of the temple.
The PRESIDENT-Sham Shui Po market is in an insanitary condition. The building is owned by a committee of the inhabitants of Kowloon City. Something has to be done.
The REGISTRAR GENERAL-I think we
ought to ask the Government to have the surface levelled and concreted, and to allow these
people to put up stalls there as usual-to put the place in a sanitary condition at the cost of the Government. The cost would not be much. I move accordingly.
Mr. LAU CHU PAK seconded and. it was carried.
OPIUM DIVANS AND LAUNDRIES.
Re an application for the ground floor of a house in McGregor Street to be registered as a public laundry the Registrar General minuted:
How many public laundries are there in Viatoris, and how many opium divans? This fad of having the floors of these places concreted, quite a new one, will result in the ground floors of Victoria being monopolised by these licensed premises. The next thing will be a recom- mendation that all lodging-house floors be
conereted.
|
The President replied :---
Total Chinese h uses 8,476
19
**
laundries
37 68
opium diyans This represents 1.2 per cent.
[April 8, 1905,
WATER ANALYSES
The Government Analyst's (Mr. Frank Brown) reports for the month of March show that the water of the various public supplies is of excellent quality.
MORTALITY STATISTICS,
The mortality statistios for the week ended the 18th March, show the following figures et a death rate per thousand per annum :-British and foreign community, 349; previous week, 9-9; corresponding week last year, 10.3. Chinese population, 15.2; previous we k, 14-7 ; corres- ponding week last year, 13′0.
:
LIMEWASHING RETURN.
The `limewashing return for the fortnight ended the 28th Marcb, shows that 4,260 houses were treated in the eastern district and 3,534 in the central district.
BAT RETURN.
During the week ended the lat April. 468 (23 being infected) were caught in Victoria, and 213 (18 infected) at Kowlo n.
rats
SUPREME COURT.
· 10: ---
Wednesday, 5th April.
IN ORIGINAL JURISDICTION.
BEFORE SIR H. 8. BERKILEY (CHIEF JUSTICE).
NATIONAL BANK OF CHINA V. P. LEMAIRE AND COMPANY,
This was an application to amend the state- ment of claim in the action, National Bank- of China, Limited, . P. Lemaire and Company, by adding a claim against the defendants as acceptors of a Bill of Exchange. The applica tion" was originally made in chambers, and adjourned. Hon. Mr. E. H. Sharp, K.C., appeared for the plaintiffs, and Mr. N. Ferrers (instructed by Mr. F. P. Hett) for the defendants.
རྞ་
Mr Ferrers submitted the amendment should not be allowed on the ground that there had been undue delay and further, that should the amendment bé granted it would place the defen- dants in such a position that no order that could be made by the Uhief Justice would compensate them. The statement of olaim was for $10,000 on a promissory note; the defence was (1) no consideration and (2) the promissory note was invalid owing to noncompliance with the Stamp Ordinance, in-as-much that the note was altered after issue without restamping. The note was altered by the defendants at the plaintiffs request. To the defendants defence that there was no consideration the plaintiffs replied that the consideration was that they (the plaintiffs refrained from suing for a previous security, Now, the plaintiffs wished to add an alterna- tive claim against the defendants as soceptor of a Bill of Exchange referred to in the been closed plaintiffs' reply. He contended that at this stage, the pleadings having and evidence taken, the plaintiffs were not entitled to an amendment. If the original Bill of Erohange had been proceeded on in October last they could have paid the Bill and have had recourse to aning the drawers, E.
bankrupt. Piry and Co. The drawers were now, however,
The application was granted, costs, however, being given for the defendants.
Thursday, 6th April.
IN BANKRUPTCY.
BEFORE SIR H, S. BERKELEY (CHIEF JUSTICE).
YEE FAT BANK EXPARTE YAUNG TSO CHOL.
This was a petition for a receiving order. After Mr. G. K. Hall: Bratton (who appeared for the petitioning creditor) explained that the bank had suspended payment on the 23rd March, His Lordship made a receiving order, appointing the Official Receiver (Mr. &. H. Wakomąo)
trustee.
A