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country, the removal of night soil is effected by manual labor and above ground, instead of by subterranean sewers or pipes, and it thus becomes a question of considerable difficulty to do this effectually, and at the same time inoffensively.
By the present Police regulations, night soil must be removed between the hours of 4 & 6 A.M. in Summer and 4 & 8 A.M. in Winter; the time appears too limited, with reference to this large and increasing population, and these regulations are not strictly enforced.
On removal, the soil is carried across the harbor to this depot (Paipingshan), which is described by Inspector Sondow as being much offensive to the whole neighborhood, nor do the simple expedients hitherto adopted - surrounding the place with a wall and planting a few bamboos - appear to have had much effect in mitigating the nuisance.
The evils of this depot for night soil are very greatly aggravated by the absence of the most common precautions for confining the foul odours within its compass. The soil is carried in open or partially covered tubs, described by Inspector London as being, in the first instance, taken to a general depot near Taipingshan, and thence to boats for transport across the harbor.
This practice, in the witness's opinion, is more likely to extend than abate the nuisance. Although the Committee would...