:
316
customs and likin stations and also the local authorities to take steps to prevent the xport of prepared opium to Hongkong. He also issned a proclamation prohibiting this illicit trade. This was confirmed by the Wai Wu Pu on the 24th. I think therefore we may take it that China bas taken effective steps
towards carrying out her part of the bargain. Therefore on the instructions of the Secretary of State this bill is brought forward in this Council. It will not appreciably affect the trade of this Colony and, if the steps taken by Chins are effective to prohibit snuggling into Hongkong, it will benefit the opium farmer.
The motion was agreed to.
REGISTRATION OF CHEMISTS. The ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill entitled An Ordinance to provide for the registration of Chemists and Druggists and to regulate the Sale of l'oisons.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
A meeting of the Finance Committee was held afterwards-the Colonial Secretary presid❘ ing. The following votes were passed:
MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES.
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of eleven thousand seven hundred and ninety-one dollars ($11,791) in aid of the vote, Miscellaneous Services, Other Miscel- laneous Services.
REGISTRAR GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT, The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of two thousand three hundred and ninety-six dollars ($2,396) in aid of the vote. Registrar General's Department, for the follow, ing items:-
Personal Emoluments. Emigration Sergeant, at £160 p. ». for 9
months-£120 at 1/10)=
3rd Grade Interpreter, at 960 p. a. for 8
months...
Interpretar, at $144 p. a. for 8 wonthe- 2 District Watchmen, 1 at $120 and 1 at
$150 p. a. for 8 mouths
Other Charges.
Photography of Rejected Emigrants
Total...
20+
$1,280
640
96
HONGKONG SANITARY BOARD.
was
[May 16, 1908.
Mr. HOOPER-Well, sir, I don't quite see how it comes from the Government. The Board dealt with the application for W.C.'s and I don't A meeting of the Sanitary Board
think the Government have to approve of it in beld on May 12th at the Board Room. The Hon. auy way. I suppose you sint it to the Govern- Dr. J. M. Atkinson (president), presided, and ment for general information. In answer to the there were also present Hon. Mr. Chatham queries of the Colonial Secretary, first as to the (Vice-President Lieut. Col. Martin, Captain additional number of inspectors required, I should Lyons, Hon. Mr. Irving, Mr. A. Shelton DOD. No inspectors are required becaus› I Booper, Mr. H. Humphreys, Mr. H. A. W. think it is in the standing Orders drawn up by Slade, and the following officials-Dr. yourself as head of the Sanitary Department, Pearse (Medical Officer of Health) Dr.
what the duties of the respective officers are. Macfarlane (Assistant Medical Officer of Health) It is laid down that it is the duty of every and Mr. Messer (Secretary),
Sanitary Inspector to inspect every tenement in his district once a month, and every senior Inspector once a quarter. The additional time occupied in the inspection of houses where there are w.c.'e it infinitesimal.
QUESTIONS
Mr. SHELTON HOOPER pursuant to notice, asked the following questions:
(a) What is the number of houses in Victoria and Kowloon, which remain to be dealt with under subsections Nos. 1 and 2 of section 175 of the Public Health and Buildings Ordinance? (b) Is it a fact that, notwithstanding your statement that all Government buildings are periodically inspected by Sanitary Department officers, all Government buildings which have a medical officer attached,' there is no such inspection!
(c) If not, is it the duty of the Medical Officer so attached to make periodical inspection of such buildings to see that they are in such a sanitary condition as not to contravene the provisions of the Public Health and Buildings Ordinance ?
(d) Will you lay on the table a list of such Government buildings as have a medical officer attached ?
The PRESIDENT replied: (a) A list is being prepared.
(b) My statement was "Government buildings are inspected once a month and in addition their coolie quarters once a week." The Board on May 16th 1906, agreed that the Sanitary Inspectors should not pay visits of inspection to those institutions which are under the charge of Government Medical Officers,
(c) Yes.
(d) Government Civil Hospital and its
annexes- Kennedy Town Hospital (government), 220 Kennedy Town Hospital (Tung Wa branch), Tang Wa Hospital, l'o Leung Kak, and Gaol.
Mr. HOOPER-You say it is the duty of the medical officers to inspect the places under $2,390 their charge!
160
TRANSVAAL EMIGRATION DEPOT. The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of three thousand dollars ($3,000) in aid of the vote, Miscellaneous Services, Par- chase of Transvaal Emigration Depot for Quarantine Station.
LANGUAGE ALLOWANCES,
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of six hundred and thirty dollars ($630) in aid of the vote, Police and Prison Departments, A.-Police, for the following items
OTHER CHAEGES.
Language Bonus Language Study Allowance (Punjabi)
to Assistant Superintendent ...
Total
$450
180
$630
The Governor recommended the Council to rote a sum of ninety dollars ($90) in aid of the vote, Education, Department of Iuspector of Schools, Saiyingpan Anglo-Chinese School, Other Charges, Language Study Allowance (Chinese) to Head Master.
The aborigines of Formosa are evidently offering a desperate resistance to the advance of the Aiyu line in the Gilan district. News dated the 29th ultimo says that they attacked the Aiyu line on its second advance and that they showed the utmost resolation, approaching from three directions simultaneously and fight. ing with extreme determination. They were finally routed by an attack in the rear, but they managed to pick up their dead and wounded before leaving the field. At the time of the dispatch of the telegram they had taken up a position on a bill of considerable height and were apparently engaged in burying their dead, for continuous sounds of wailing were heard. The loss on the Japanese side was five killed and four wounded. It should be mentioned that the Japanese and the Aiyu were fighting in shelter trenches, which accounts for the smallness of their casualties.
The PRESIDENT - Yes.
The PRESIDENT-The reason why this waS sent to the Government was because the report of the committee appointed to consider the question of w.o.'s in houses in Kowloon was forwarded to the Government. The Board adopted the report and the Board agreed that the report be forwarded to the Government.
Mr. HOOPER-I don't remember that. The PRESIDENT-The Standing Orders have been considerably modified by the diminution of the staff of inspectors recently made,
Orders as they were laid before us. I don't Mr. HopPER-I am going on the Standing
know of any alteration.
The PRESIDENT-But you know the staff is diminished?
Mr. HOOPER-I know the staff is less,
The PRESIDENT -Therefore it is impossibla to visit the house once a month and inspect water closets.
Mr. HUMPHREYS said that the President had remarked that there would likely be 20, houses affected by the decision. He would like to know on what he based his estimate.
The PRESIDENT- There are 200 houssa occu- pied by Europeans.
Mr. HUMPHREYS-Yes, but not one in s hundred is likely to ask for this.
The PRESIDENT-What answer does the Board wish to send to the Government ?
Mr. HooPER-I don't know how far the Standing Orders have been altered-
The PRESIDENT-If all the houses máke application-
Mr. HOOPER-We have none at present, When different circumstances arise in the Mr. HOOPERAnd you are satisfied that that fature we will make suggestions. We have no duty is carried out?
The PRESID 'NT- Yes.
Mr. HOOPER-Well, I would direct your attention to the exterior of the Gaol quarters broken down pipe for the last six or seven in Arbuthnot Road where there has been a
months.
W.C.'S IN KOWLOON.
—
apprehensions on the matter.
The VICE-PRESIDENT As Chairman of the Committee I would suggest that the Govern- ment be informed that we do not anticipate that applications for water closets in houses within the district referred to will become general, and the Board think that with a less frequent inspection the inspectors could overtake the work.
MORTALITY STATISTICS.
rate in
The reply from the Government relative to
A resolution to this effect was carried on the the question of permitting water closets in motion of the VICE-PRESIDENT, seo.nded by buildings in Kowloon read 88 follows:- Mr. HOOPEE. "Colonial Secretary's Office, May, 2nd, 1908,— Sir, I am directed by His Excellency the The mortality statistios for the week ending Governor to acknowledge receipt of your letter | April 11th gave the following figures: The of 24th ult, informing me of the division of the death
the British and foreign Board on the question of permitting water community was 7.9 pǝr 1000 as against closets in buildings in Kowloon and to request 32,8 in the corresponding week of last year. you to supply me with copies of the circular The death rate for the whole Colony was referred to in paragraph Que of the report of 25.6 per 1000 as against 18.6 in the corres- the committee enclosed in your letter under ponding week of last year. For the week ending reference together with the replies thereto. (2) April 18th the death rate in the British and I am further to invite the attention of the foreign community was 7.9 per 1000 as against Board to the additional expense which will be 164 mm 1907, and for the whole community the involved by the suggested systematic monthly death rate was 15.4 per 1000 as against 21.0 inspection and in view of the fact that the per 1000 in the corresponding week of last year present staff cannot undertake the supervision and as such supervision is an integral part of the proposal, am to inquire bow the Board suggest that the inspection should be made.-I am, Sir, your obedieat servant, F. H. MAY."
Mr. HOOPER minuted-No additional in spectors are required. The number of closets will be small.
Mr. HUMPHREYS-I agree with Mr. Hooper. The total water closets which will be allowed by the Board will not probably average six in a year.
The PRESIDENT-I have made inquiries and it appears there are about 200 houses affected by this decision, and there may be applications from all of them. If there were that number of w.c,'s in that area it would be impracticable for this supervision to be carried out,
|
in circulation and of specie in reserve in Hong- Returns of the average amount of bank notes
kong, during the month ended 30th April, 1908, as certified by the managers of the respec- tive banks,
Banks.
Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China
Average Specie in Amount, Reserve.
$ 3,698,885 2,800,000
Hongkong and Shangai
Banking Corporation... 14,393,807 10,000,000 National Bank of Chins,
Limited
259,560 150,000
Total......... $18,852,252 12,950,00