SANITARY BOARD.
nature of this danger and every precaution-short of of this reservoir from the
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19TH, 1910.
is taken to guard against it. lies, of course, in the posible contan either of the streams by excreta from a cas of cholera, but fortunately this occurs in this Colony The
rarely ologiest
A mesting of the Sanitary Board was held yesterday at the Board Room. Mr. E. D. C. Wolle presided, and there were present-Hon. Mr. P. N.H. Jones (Vios President), Hon. Mr. A. W. Brewin (Registrar-General), Mr. A Shelton Hooper, Colonel Bedford, Dr. G. L. Fitzwilliama, Mr. Lan Chi Pak, roports concerning the purity of our water sup- Mr. Ng Hoa Tee, Dr. F. Clock (Mellan pilas, which are received monthly would not give Oleer of Health), Dr. Pearse (A.M.OH)ufficient timely warning of such contamination and Mr. W. Bowen Rowlands (Secretary).
PORFULAM AND OTHER WATER SERVICES.
Correspondence was submitted relative to the discharge of dirty water from the nullah at Monat Austin into tho Pokfulam reservoir,
COLONEL BEDFORD wrote--I have the honour to report for the information of the Sanitary Board that at a recent visit to Mount Austin I found that a waste pipe stated to be from the soullery of the Haystack" discharges into the nullah which comes down past Mount
reservoir. Moreover, the authorities at Mount Austin inform me that it is a common oconerando.
as is suggested here, as the presence of the specif organiams would not be detected until some at least of the persons rising this water had become
infected.
Mr. HOOPEs minuted-I fail to sas what more the Government can do than the Sanitary Board, except closing the reservoir. The respondence should be referred to a committee to report upon,
Hon. Mr. Hawzrr--I consider these nullahs should be trained to the top of the waterfall aboré Harlech Road.
The REGISTRAR GENEBAL It is not the Austin and flows on to join the Pokfulamulisha that are a source of danger, but the drainage surrounding houses. Extraordinary these houses out of the ostchment aron would be justitable.
Officer
And with the dus notices ported
MORTALIZY STATISTICS.
Based on a fleeth rate per 1,000 per annum, ROBINSON PIANO
the death mts of the whole Colony for the week anding December 25th was 13.7 as against 16.9. for the corresponding week of last year.
"RAT BITUBMARI
Out of a total of 750 rats caught during the syer week ended 27th December, only one was found
to be infected.
their ablutious banks of your water supply Buch con- this may at any time class your supply
Owing to pressure upon our space we are obliged to hold over the report of the further proceedings at the meeting until tomorrow.)
CORRESPONDENCE.
MENT.
ÍTO THE EDITOE OF THE "* HONGKONG DAILY PRESS."]
17th January, 1910. SIE, The writer si Random Notes" in to day's issue of your paper expressed the opinion that ought to feel pleased with the result of representations recently made on the subject of the debris on the Prays between the
for coolles to wash in the stream and to as the expenditure in carrying the drainage from farther, and any that those examinations tell us Haystack into the nullah is filled in with Queen a Statue and the Club.
banks as a latrine. In view of them facta, and that numerous residence are in close proximity to this nallah, I am strongly of opinion that water collected from this neighbourhood should not be permitted to find its way into the supply for the city.
The MEDICAL OFFICER of HEALTH Wrote I beg to recommend that Colonal Bedford's letter be forwarded to the Colonial Secretary for the consideration of the Government. I have in past years called attention to the latent danger to a pection of the community incident to the use of the Pokfulam reservoir, but this danger does not arisa sa much from the Peak dwellings which may, as the result of accidental circumstances, at times temporarily drain towards the catchment area of this reservoir, as it does from the very considerable roolie trafic which takes place through this ralley The waste pipe from the sellers of the "Haystack" referred to in Colonel Bedford's letter is blind-that is to say, the inlet to it was completely blocked ap with cement some months ago-so that there is no danger from this source. I have suggested howover, that it might be removed entirely For the past fortnight I have been in communi- estion with the Public Works Department in regard to some small alterations to the drainage of a new house on the same road, namely, “Edgehill," with a view to further proventing the possibility of any soliage water reaching the Pokfulam pres from this house, and theno alterations have been strendy made; and I have also suggested, after consultation with Mr. Jackman, of the Public Works Department, on the premises, a farther small alterution to the yard channels of the "Hay, atack." There is also at this house a sma isolated block of coolie quarters, draining into s amall samp, the contents of which are appar- ently emptied on to the garden plots, and are with carofal supervision, hardly likely to give rise
The VICE-PRESIDENT-The M. O. H.'s minuto fully answers the specife complaint made by Colonel Bedford in his letter. The matters contained in the latter part of the letter. should prefembly have been referred to the Colonial Sacratary or the Water Authority.
IDEAL, WATER,
The reports from the Government Analyst and Bacteriologist on a sample of water from tap at the Pokfulam Poller Biation were then submitted.
It is, of course, a satisfaction to see the last of the "Drawing Offos" and of the tarmacadara factory, though two of the chimneys which formerly adorned the latter do xow stick up conspicnonaly out of s new rubbish heap rapidly being formed, in the N.E. corner of the enclosure to take the "plass of the stacks of poles lately removed across the way.
But these removals wore practically promised by the Colonial Secretary, and I for ons hoped for more from the personal investigations of His Excellency the Governor,
I for one hoped to learn at an early date that the P. O. contractor had received the necessary three months' noties to quit....
CO., LTD.
SPECIALISTS IN
HIGH CLASS
PIANOS
BY THE
LEADING MAKERS,
JUST UNPACKED :
BRINSMEAD
WERNER
RACHALS
KRAUSS.
INSPECTION INVITED.
ance we have had from the Medical
COLONEL BEDFORD-Bit now that the subject of the Mount Austin nullah is before the consideration of the Board, I take the scollos: pportunity of submitting my views upon the other condition of affairs which obtain in the vicinity hom of this water course. To my mind, the oen dita dition of this nullah is, or at any time may as something more than merely Enspicious,
Remember that you have a barrack containing 400 men, married families, servants, coolies, o THE STATUE SQUARE DISFIGURE. who are practically residing on the banks of this palish. In the event of disease occurring amongst these, dove one feel safe? I do not say these buildings drain into the nullah, or that the surface washings from these barracks get into the nullah Under ordinary circumstances, I do not see how they could, but the same cannot be said of some of the other residences in the neighbourhood. I am happy to know that the pipe which I saw running from the cement, and is not, therefore, I presume, any longer pervious. But pipes such as this donot increase confidence. Secondly, my other grievance against this aallah is that on account of its present most irregular, uneven, and tortuous bed, it must of necessity a ford numerous quiet pools, which furnish ample breeding places for our old friends the mosquitoes. The Hon. Mr. Howatt told us that some years ago he brought the matter to the notios of the Board: he states that the PMO of the Forces at that time did not support him. I am sorry for that, as that offer is an old friend of mine. Hut Ioan assure Mr. Bowett that the present PMO, is entirely with him in this matter. Another in stande, I fear, of doctors differing. In 1908 It is therefore with chagrin that I ses he is there were 33 admissions for malarial fever erecting a new paliaade on the west of the lot from the troops occupying Mount Austin Barlet to him. I am afraid this means that he has racks, Since assuming offles in this Command, been encouraged in the iden that he will be I caused every soldier in these barracks to be allowed to remain in possession for a further supplied with a mosquito curtain, as heretofore considerable period. If so, "departmental Mr. W. E. Ti. Shenton (of Messrs. Denoom, they were not issued to these larracks, the only obstruction" has won the day, and, in that oase, Locker & Dosson), who appeared for the pro ones in the Colony not so furnished-presumably I do not feel the lesst "pleased"
secution, informed his Worship that on Decem on the mistaken notion of protection by altitudo. The background of the picture presented by her let the defendant informed the complainant I am happy to say that last year there wereonly the status of His Majesty the King is not that he had two passports by which he could land 16 admissions for this disease from this barracks, altered in any respect, except by the new paint two men in Australia. After a certain amount of However that may be, last rammer I had a on the palisade. Behind that still fanuts daily negotiation the complainant went to the defend letter complaining about the mosquitoes in the old array of conts and pants, and behind ant's shop at No. 9. Aberdeen Street, and thore a this building, and as I told yon on another these again the chimneys of the cook-hossow bargain was struck, by which the defendant occasion, the anopheles had been found in the still emit their reeking fumes,
agreed to land two of complainant's clansmen in Mount Austin Barracks. Where did these
I cannot ses that it is necessary to the work Australia for a consideration of $1,200. Com- insects come from? In my opinion, they merely on the Post Office that the contractor should plainant thereupon paid $250 as a deposit, and paid a friendly call from their neighbouring be allowed to maintain a species of coolie it was agreed that the balance should ho paid in residence over the way in the nullah. You are restaurant on this particular plot. How the event of complainant's clansmen landing in now probably asking, What is he driving at?" do the Naval Dock Yard hands manage? Australia. A few days later complainant again Well, if what I have brought forward this. They feed out. If they were permitted to have onlled at defendant's shop, but found that he had afternoon is supported by the opinion of the their own cock houses within the Dook Yard, a left. Subsequently he saw the defendant walk- Board, it means that the lower renales of the nice sort of gypsy encampment it would be ing in the street, and had him arrested. Mount Austin nullah should be out out of Eat Instanch as the work there is satisfactorily. After hearing the evidence his Worship the water yielding area of the Colony or accomplished without this painful messuity sentenced the defendant to four months. that it should be more amply protected how comes it to be "necessary to the work on imprisonment with hard labour." from trespass or contamination. This is the Post Offon"? The answer is simple. It in I know, a serious matter, in view of the present not necessary at all. It is a concession to the
Nevertheless, it is a logical sequence, if the
ехрепва of mach irritation to the pablio premises adduced are correct ones. The actual means would be for the consideration of the who vow the nuisance daily. As long a PW.D., who might perhaps eliminate the lower portion of the dullah, by taking pipes through it from above, so as not to lose the water from the higher reashes and get rid of the water from the
become, a menace to the health of the com- munity. This menace presents itself to me in two totally different forms: Firstly, as a channel and collecting area by which impure or con taminated twater may be conducted into the Pokfulam Reservoir, which reservoir supplies a considerable section of the community with drinking water. I am bound to admit and I do so with all willingness, that the chemical and biological taste which are regularly made of this water do not bear ant the theory of any present danger to the supply I go
that this water is ons of very considerable parity, containing a minimum of micro. "rganisms; and it shows, and hiss eliown, total absence of pathogenic microbes, or even of organisms which would load us to suspect the presence of any animal or human contamination, It is this absence of suspicious elements that has no doubt justified the perpetuation of this source of eking out the not too liberal means of obtaining water for thir Colony. Under these circumstances I do not wish to state dogmatically that auch justification is either faulty or misplaced I have ventured to bring the whole matter before Le Board in order that the question may Mr. Frank Brown, the Analyst, stated the be considered deliberately, and without blaw rasults of his examination showed that the My opision in this miniter may be unsupported; water was of excellent quality, and that the it may be wrong. This is one reason why I Pokfulam collecting area furnished an ideal favoured the matter being threshed out on water supply. A knowledge of the earefnfidentially. For if I am wrong, it my fears
he excellent
uro unsubstantial ones, it would be without supervision of this area, and of the
reason that persons should be rendered uncom fortable on account of any nepersion being cast upon the fair name of their water supply. Lot me state as briefly as possible my objections to the water, which is collected in or conveyed by this channel fading its way into the drinking water supply of the Colony You all saw the analyst's report this morning. He stated that "The Pokfulam collecting a furnishes an ideal water supply. A knowledge factory.
of the mireful supervision of this area, and of the Reports of the analyses of public water supazcellent system of purification and distribu plies for the month of December were admitted. tion of the water , it is impracticable, for On samples takon from the Kowloon and any impure water to reach the public Am I Pokfulam reservoirs the Government Basterio not right in first of all informing this Board logist reported that both were good drinking that there are omsiderable number of people, a large number of residences, and some important industries which are fed by this water before any purification whatever taken place-before it goes to the fitar beda?
The VICE PRESIDENT —A very small section. COLONEL BEDFORD-A certain section and an important industry. I merely wish to call your attention to that on account of the excellent
to the Publio Analyst's opinion about the ideal supply, I wish to make these two small quotations: Professor Thresh, on "The ramination of water and water supplies, says
The safest colleofing area is doubtless the one upon which there are the fewest inhabitants, the minimam amount of land under anltirs tion, the smallest number of works of any kind and the lowest roads and footpaths. Few
system of parification and distribution of the water, together with the results of many analysen at all seasons, enabled him to state that it was practically impossible for any im- pure water to reach the public.
Dr. H. A. Bhaw, soting Bacteriologist, stated that the sample he examined was a good drinking water, and that there was no local contamination. Dr. FrawILLIAMS minuted--Highly satis-
waters.
COLONY'S WATER SUPPLY,
with regard to a sample he oxamined from the Tytam xeservoir, he stated that there was evidence of local contamination, and that the source of contamination should be sought for.
Hon Dr ATKINSON, F.C.M.O stated that this matter required investigation, as it was of serions import. The proportion of bacilli coli was excessive and unsatisfactory. Ha suggested
to any danger.The Pokfulatu reservoir is fed that a fresh sample be taken from this hydrant System of purification and distribution, Pake | Limited assets of this essential commodity. Post Office contractor by the PW.D. at the
and examined atrosh, as it might be due to
some extrazeOUS CONSO.
The PERSIDENT stated that he proposed to take the three items on the agenda concerning the water supply together. It had been pro- Posed that the matter should be referred to a committee.
eminly by two streams, one passing the Mount Austin barracks and traversing one side of the football ground which has been out by the
COLONEL BEDFORD-I trust that we shall military authorities just below Craig Ryrie, and then passing below Harlech Food, and be furnished with farther particulars on the the other arising by two heads, one year important matter of this analysis. I suppose it Plunkett's Gap and the other close to is not possible that the samples from Fokfulam Sharp's bungalow, these two main streams and Tytam could have been confused ? Join some short way down the valley, and it would be impossible to cut either of them out of the catchment area without practically abolishing the Pokfulam reservoir, and I muderstand it will be impossible to dispense with this reservoir until the projected lower reservoir at Tytam is completed. The contamination of either of the streams that food the Pokfulam reservoir, by a convalescent case of typhoid fever passing the bacilli in his urine-this may con tinue for some time after convalescence is established or by what is known "typhoid carrier "; a person who has had typhoid fever for some months or years pre viously, but who continues to pass the bacilli
bailt in sosordance with all the sanitary as in the faeces at intervale, owing to the bacilli and regulations in fores. If this is not so, I having established a midus in the gall bladder would recommend that notless be served on the from which some of them are intermittently owner to comply with the law. With regard discharged into the intestines-could very wall originate an epidemio of this disease, similar to to the old house, the "Haystack, I would those which have occurred in Worthing, in 1893, like to sak whether the law is sufficiently strong to enable us to serve a notion on the owner or when 1,315 cases occurred, in Maidstone, in 1897. ccrapler to abste s muisande, when 1847 cases occurred, or in Lincoln, in
The PRESIDENTI understand that no think either the 1905, when 900 cases occurred, Back outbreaki liare usually been due to the contamination of Director of Public Works or the Medics! this water supply by one case only of the disease of Holts are in a position to say. You and the subsequent drinking of such water, either before filtration, or after inefficient Altre mean the discharge of sullage water P
regard
ares, by diverting it into some other direction. Secondly, to train the upland surfaces are reasonably free from bed of the nullah, so as to remove the the possibility of pollution. With regard irregularities, which now offer nurseries for to the bacteriological examination the foller mosquitoes. In conclusion, I wish to assure ing extract is from Notter and Firth's you, and more especially the Honourable Mr. HOOPER-Before this matter is referred Hygiene, page 105 It often happens, Vice-President, that I have brought this quer to a committee I would like to make a few re- however, that apland surface grounds are obvision forward In no spirit of carping criticism on marks. This complaint deals with two things: only open to pollation from human habitations, what exists here. To my mind the present state &c. In such a condition of things it will be of of affairs in this connection is for from nuisances arising from buildings in existence and anisances which took place, and are likely little use to determias the average bacteriat con entisfactory. I should therefore as a member to take place, on the hillside by stragglera. tents of the feeders, boca as even daily examiliaht the Sanitary Board be blameworthy, were I Concerning the houses, as far as I remember, Itions would not enable the supply to be erective not to tell you so. It is for the Board to judge
ded. think only to affect the question. One is a
The waterman then be whether or no there be good grounds for some new house which the Government has quite subjected to the artificial conditions of filtration. change to be made. Remember thata water sup recently certified is perfectly sanitary, and is My objections to this water supply are as ply is a generat supply. A spark of mischief follows The watershed supplying the kindled at its source misy set up such a con- alla lorered with numerous inhabited Bagration of trouble in the path of its distribn dwelling some of whink hare quite recently tion that it may be difficult to extinguish it been added; the evil has thus become secontus. In the Army, the first thing we do when wo get ted. This circumstance alone, at once causes into camp, is to place a santry over our water water collected from rack source to be supply, to prevent anyone from contaminating olansed as suspicions, The Medical Officer of it. Are you satisfed with the present guard Health will bour me out in that. (b) A pablie over the Mount Austin source of apply I thoroughfare runs alongside of this nullah for frankly own that I am not.
considerable portion of its long
The VICE-PRESIDENT, said he could hardly gree with Colonel Bedford in a number of his
nuisance exists now.
is the highway to neighbourhood. The face of a part road without doubt formI
Mr. HOOFAR-I mean the nuisance referred water tion, and it must be remembered that the Por falam water is supplied to the whole of Pokfulam, to by the Medical Offer of Health. lealading such European residences as “Douglas
Castle Vilis Luola, Binney Ville, and the Dairy Farm halldings, before Altration, while the flitered supply serves the Peak district and a portion of West Point. The housos receiving the unitared supply would therefore no doubt give early warning of any such impending calamity, and prompt measures could be resort ed to to stay the spread of the disease. For tunately also the incidence of typhoid fever among the Chinese population of this Colony is comparatively mall, last year the
there were only Baven recognised cases among a Chinese popula tion of 316,702, while among the non-Chinese population of 19,786 the cases numbered 31: in 1907 there were twelve recognised cases among the Chinese population; it is suffi. alent, however, to show that the dang Although small, is an over present now and that the community will not
The MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH-The wurface of the road is complaint
sint was with regard to a dowa pips from of
the slope the "Haystack" referred to by Colonel Bedford, slopes away may be seen tion of the rond every
I have suggested that the pips might be removed entirely It is a blind waste pine.
Mr. HOOPER Then there is no danger from carried down this road ovary the Haystack
the habits OL turnal load
The MEDICAL OFFICER OP, HEALTH--No. Mr HOOPER We are not told where the age that one water that wood to go down this pige gom now. of damylog his
The MEDICAL OFFICES OF HEALTH-It gitimate destination, goos into a sewer running in front of the house. this very
Mr. HOOPERAnd that has been connected
proper way! S
The MEDICAL OFFICER 0! HEALTHY68. Mr. HOOFER And you are staffed there is no daager 2
The MEDICAL OFFICES of HEALEI-No. Mr. Hoores-Then that whittles the que tion down to the hillside.
The PERSIDENT—!
Mr. HopFEE-That is what I want to come to. Don't you think, with regard to this, that
salo, from such an outbreak until waterworks new completed, and roservoir abandoned. The ofülpers. the Public we might requisition the services of the palice.
Works Department thoroughly under
I am sure khas paillitary would give ovɑZY BELLS
[31
INTENDING EMIGRANTS FOR AUSTRALIA.
Before Mr. E.B. Halifax at the Magistracy. yesterday afternoon a Chinese brokor was pro- secuted for ablaming $250 with intent to detrand.
THE TOREADOE.“
Another large audience, which included H.E. smoke-begrimed hovels are permitt the Governor and party, acclaimed the second
the
the rest performance of The Toreador" last night by improvements
are thereby the Hongkong Amateur Dramatic Club, and it Ineffective. If the P.WD was noticeable that the production went with evan determined to maintain in its present a better swing than it did on the opening night. of His Maj- The occasional hesitation on the part of the proximity to the status osty the King this worst feature of the artistes and the little deficiencies on the part of "nuisance," does not common-sense suggest that vocallats and shorts had practically disappeared, the contractor should be called upon to build and the growing confidence of all on the stage palisade high enough to hide it from public contributed to a highly successful result,, sa achievement which must reflect creditably on view -I am, sir, yours truly,
M. STEWART, Mr. John Robertson, under whose direction the The above letter should have appeared yester play was produced. To present The Toreador “ dey, but through want of space was held over.➡ is certainly an ambitious effort for amateurs, ED
but the outcome shows that the confidence which the Club had in its members was thoroughly *Furchfted:
JEWS AND "SHYLOCK".
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HONGKONG
DAILY PRESS,
Mex, Moulder again won golden opinions for her charming rendezing of the vigorous yet picturesque part of Donna Teresa, and ber Bre, It is indeed strange that in su en- partner in so many amusing scenes and episodes, lightened age like the present Shakespeare's Mr. Tester, was lendly applauded for his clever pourtrayal of a chemoter like Bhylock should work. Another artist who excelled in the bo made a subject of controversy. Practically humorous element was Mr. Worcester as Pet- everyone recognises that the great dramatist tiler. Carajolo (Mr. G, Lammert) was in fiue did not represent. Shylock as typical of the race voice and his singing and acting were both to which he belonged, and to suggest the opposite much appreciated. Mr. Warbrook was very is to ignore the facts of history, which attest effective in the role of Sir Archibald Slackitt, that there were and are men of other races and and Mr. Willins did well as Augustus Traill, Tory Bmuung in his nationality who show greater cruelty of wills Me Northouts disposition than did the Jew in the Merchant double role. M. Guby was received with
Many of the erition agres that the
approbation,
doo, and Miss Ella Rowe attracted Bhylock wm Antonio. To show the attention in liar part. Handsome bouquets were
per passed up to the two latter performers by admirers.
wish sppreciation of the Bard of Avon it is only necessary to state that his works have been translated into Hebrew and Arabic,
arka. He could not see that the Pokfulam of Venice tershed was any worse than numerous others e world whare public roads ran through and were to a certain extent inside the He might mention the Kowloon
torworks Where public roads ran My object in peaning this latter is to express shment there was always some my belief that no intelligent person who reads of contamination, and to protect these this play or seen it staged will find in it any frome risks it would take an army of patrols, attempt to brand a whole nation with the traits of an individual, especially in this pro He, considered the present inspection as rea- those nooonably good and economical as could be made, gressive and enlightened age, when Christian but if the Government, after considering all and Jew, Buddhist and Moslem all
that strivin to establish on a firmer basis had been said, were of opi
rhood of man, and the federation of the world, Cours,
lood into an file convering it down ply
arantee that the next offender will not dump it down amongst | B the trees on the slope itself? If you will wak up the road which rane alongside of this nullah, you will at mos observe that mairy paths lead down from the read itself to the water, ing bed of the nulla)
hean paths F water and lead no
therefore, are not way of getting
use them they go dow
They bear, all the. ated us Coolt
The occupants of the barracks liste soen The military have appeared two in prosOOK
was not taken of the
wonk-find më
hethou
olonel
wrong, and that the present
AN ISRAELITE.
ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH.
The annual meeting of seatholders and subscribers was held in the Church
sterday afternoon, the Hov. H.
Cha
in the éhair. There foro present a fair attendance of ladies gentlemen, members of the congre
bare of the 1909 vestry accordance with the Trust Deed of the Chm
perre for the They Hunter, E. Cornwall Lewis and H. Fac
entlemen were also electedMestre HF. Campbell, J.
com LATEST STEAMER MOVEMENTS. sddition to whom the following
BD proposed that
Inquire into the conti
obtaining
ard to the Mount
fer supply collected
seconded, and the motion WA
ain te lewong left Ma port on the 11th instant, at 4 may be expected here on the 20th
is expected to strive at
WER COTTOSOd of the swilliams and the Hon. M-S
Suwerte lati Kobe on the
18th instant for
Major race. Now officer were ated to help in the parochial affairs of the church. Mer, E. C. Lewis and B. Pa
appointed wardens, and Mesar. B. folder, Angell, J. Crawford, and 3 Dong! mea. - 'The seconata for the part year
he meeting and unanimously adop