250
that I answered to the best of my ability such points as have been raised on the general principle of the Bill As regards the points in connection with these various clauses we shall have every opportunity to discuss them presently in Committee. ( ·pplause.) ·
The motion was carried, and the Bill was read a second time.
Council then went into Committee. Hon. MR. HEWETT said he had a list of eighteen, medicated wines, some of which were drunk by teetotalers. (Laughter.) Eight of those wines at least were nearly half the proof of brandy. He thought no medicated wine should be admitted free; of course, there were certain medicated wines which nobody would drink as a beverage.
HIS EXCELLENCY-Then they come under the nature of the denatured spirits.
Hon. Mr. HEWETT-These things are drunk as a medicine.
The ATTO NEY GENERAL-It is only such medicated wines which have had something added which make them unfit to drink as a bever- age which come under the heading of denatured spirits.
HON. Mr. H&WETT-Medicated wines should be allowed duty free. A list of exemptions should be drafted.
Agreed to.
On considering Part I,
Hon. Dr. Ho KAI-I propose that the fol- lowing scale be substituted for the duty pro- posed in the Bill :
Brandy and liquers ...
Whisky
Per Gallon
$3.00
2.40 1.20
Gin, kum, and other Spirituous liquors Champagne
All other sparkling wines
Port, Sherry, Madeira
Other still wines in bottles
Other still wines in wood...
All other intoxicating liquors, excepting Spirits of Wine, and native wines and spirits
On all native wines and spirits, other
than Arrack
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
Hon. Mr STEWART We think ours better. HIS EXCELLENCY-I have no objection to the scale proposed, except that discrimination should be drawn between spirituous liquors in cask and in bottle.
It was agreed to insert "whisky in wood, $3 a gallon."
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T
Hon. Mr. STEWART-I think brandy and liqueurs should be charged more than whisky in wood. I should say $3.60.
Hon. Mr. HEWETT thought it was advisable to have as few grades as possible.
It was decided to delete all small fees proposed to be charged, Hon. Mr. STEWART remarking that they were vexations.
When Part 2 had been completed, His Ex- CELLENCY said that he proposed to adjourn until to-morrow.
Hon. Mr. HEWETT said that that was mail day, but he could attend if the meeting was called for four o'clock. He thought most of the contentious part was finished.
Hon. Dr. Ho KAI-NO.
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Hon. Mr. HEWETT said the Director of Public Works informed him that he would be able to have the electric light for to-morrow night, and they could sit as long as His Excel- lenoy pleased.
HIS EXCELLENCY-Council stands adjourned until four o'clock to-morrow. The meeting of the Executive Council convened for to-morrow will be adjourned.
SANITARY BOARD.
A meeting of the Sanitary Board was held on 2.40 the 14th inst. at the Board Room. Mr. F. D. C. 1.80 Wolfe presided, and there were present: Hon. 1,60 Mr. P. N. H. Jones (Vice-President), Colonel 1.20 | Bedford, Mr. Lau Chủ Pak, Mr. Ho Kom Tong, 0.60 Dr. F. Clark (Medical Officer of Health), Dr. Pearse (Assistant Medical Officer of Health), and r A. Gibson (Acting Secretary).
0.24
0.15 3.00
Spirits of Wine and arrack It had been approved by the unofficial mem. bers at a meeting when they discussed the subject for a couple of hours. We had the advice of two experts, gentlemen engaged in the trade. The list is double the original list, but we think it will give a scale which is more fair. We hope the Government will accept it.
HIS EXCELLENCY Will this scale produce less or more than the one before us?
Hon. D. HO KAI- Nearly the same, Sir. We charge $2.40 for champagne.
Hon. Mr. HEWETT-In arriving at this scale we calculated on so many cents a bottle, so as to simplify retailing.
Hon. Mr. STEWART-If you charge the same for gin, whisky and brandy, you encourage smuggling. The difference between the prices is so great. Whisky is twice as expensive as gin, brandy more expensive again, and with the same duty it will be an encouragement to smuggling.
HIS EXCELLENCY-We took this scale from the Straits Ordinance, which has been in opera tion, and we think it advisable to pass this scale in the Bill and amend it later if necessary.
Hon. Dr. Ho Kar-It is easy to carry out
this scale.
The ATTORNEY-GENEAL asked if the unofficial members were prepared to add that whisky not in bottles should pay a duty of $3.20. HIS EXC LL NCY said it was very import ant to discriminate between whisky in wood and whisky in bottles.
Hon. Mr. HEWETT said they had dis- criminated as far as cheap wines were con- cerned. To be consistent the unofficial members
should accept the alteration suggested by the Hon. Attorney-General.
Hon Mr. GRESSON said they had spent two hours discussing that list, and they should not upset it.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL thought the Com- mittee should accept the scale fixed by the Government, and later, if it were expedient, the Legislative Council by resolution could alter it. They were groping in the dark and they thought their list was better.
Hon. Mr. HEWETT-We are business men and we discussed ours fully.
PREVENTION OF MOSQUITO BREEDING. The MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH sub- mitted the following Minute relative to the byelaw for the prevention of mosquito breed ing-
!
As a corollary to the discussion at the last Board meeting on the subject of mosquitoes, I beg to recommend that the words "of the sub- family anopheline" be deleted from the attached byelaw which was made by the Board in October last. There are a number of diseases, both of man and animals, which are con- sub-family, of which the most notable examples veyed by mosquitoes not belonging to this are yellow fever and Filariasis, and it is unde- sirable therefore that the powers of the Board should be limited to one sub-division of the mosquito family. The steps to be taken to prevent the breeding of these pests are the same in all cases, namely, the prevention of the accumulation of standing water, which is the removal of such brushwood, etc., as may necessary for the development of the larvae, and afford a shelter to the adult insects. The byelaw merely gives power to direct that steps shall be taken for the prevention of the breeding of mosquitoes on any premises, under the advice of the Medical Officer of Health or any assistant Medical Officer of Health, and will apply only when mosquito larvae are actually found upon such premises."
Dr. FITZWILLIAMS minuted-Not only on account of the diseases which mosquitoes other than anopheline may spread, but because, if the conditions are present, or the breeding of any kind of mosquito, the anopheline will sooner or later make use of them.
The REGISTRAR-GEN RAL--What is the average annual number of cases of yellow fever and Filariasis in Hongkong ?
Consideration of this matter was deferred. CLEANSING OF WELLS.
Correspondence was submitted relative to the re-opening of certain wells for cleansing pur- poses.
Mr. Ho KOM TONG minuted 11 old wells should be re-opened, and if kerosene oil be added as suggested by . E. the Governor, I fail to see how the water can be used for drinking
purposes.
Dr. FITZWILLIAMS-It would seem to be advisable to re-open these wells, but very careful
:
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[September 18, 1909.
supervision should be used to see that the water so obtained is not to be used under any circumstances for drinking purposes. If such supervision cannot be guaranteed the wells ought to be left closed.
COLONEL BEDFORD-Open the wells and taint the water with kerosene,
Hon. ME. HEWETT-The wells might be re-opened if it can be made absolutely certain that the water cannot be used for potable purposes.
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Mr. LAU CHU PAK-All the old wells which Lave been closed should be re-opened for cleansing purposes. No more water from the mains should be used until the wants of the inhabitants have been pro-: perly attended to. At the present mo- ment the Chinese are compelled to carry muddy water from the nullahs or any place where water is procurable for cooking their food. From a health point of view, nothing can be worse than this.
The PRESIDENT (to the Water Authority)—– There is not likely to be an increase in the water supply at present, is there?
The VICE-PRESIDENT-Not an increase, but I should like to know where it is that the Chinese are getting muddy water?
Mr. LAU CHU PAK-Close to the Nethersole Hospital, and in a nullah near Shektontsui.
The VICE-PRESIDENT- -Is there any reason for it? There is no less water being given to the town of Victoria than there was in the month of February. In fact there is more, so there should be no scarcity of water.
The PRESIDENT (to Mr. Lau Chu Pak) - Your minute would lead to the belief that water is on the decrease, whereas, according to the D.P.W., the supply now is larger than it was in the month of February.
We have been on an
intermittent supply all the time.
Mr. LAU HU PAK--I did not mean to say that the water supply was curtailed, but I say that the Chinese are not getting sufficient
water.
The PRESIDENT said the suggestion was made by the Tung Wah Hospital that wells might be re-opened for cleansing purposes. The question had been considered, and a list was attached of wells which could be used for the purpose of cleansing. He moved that the wells mentioned be re-opened, due care being taken that the water is only used for cleansing and subject to the consent of the owners.
Mr. LAU CHU PAK seconded. The VICE-PRESIDENT-Do you propose to use kerosene ?
The PRESIDENT—Oh, yes. The motion was carried.
ITALIAN CONVENT APPLICATION. An application from the Italian Convent for permission to erect four water-closets at the Convent was received.
The PRESIDENT said the application was the same as they had before them a month ago, only
have three or four baths a day they could do so, COLONEL BEDFORD said if people liked to that the number was reduced from eight to four.
and yet the Board would not sanction the use of water for flushing latrines where the quantity would be inappreciable.
The VIC -PESIDENT said it was not the question of the amount of water. It was the principle of water supply.
COLONEL BEDFORD retorted that that was the principle the sanitarians wanted to fight, If people liked to use extra water for that
The VICE-PRESIDE T purpose they could pay for it. principle had been laid down.
added that the
COLONEL BEDFORD-Then I say the prin ciple is wrong. People can water flowers all day long have baths every two hours, and yet they cannot have water flushing latrines. That is not logic to my mind,
The VICE-PRESIDENT - It will be logic in two or three months when we have no further water.
The PRESIDENT-Colonel Bedford is merely considering the European community. As a matter of fact hardly any of the Chinese com- munity can get water for one bath a day. If we grant this application we are making it more easy for a water famine to follow.
COLONEL BEDFORD-It is a very small item. The PRESIDENT-Yes, but if you grant this application you will have to grant others.
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