contractors,
at Kennedy Town were laid before and discuised, by the Committee.
Agreed that these plans be approved. The plane and estimate of the Central Market shewing a reduction from $270,000 to $350,000 were laid before and equsidered by the "Com mitter, together with tenders from various The Hon T. H. Whitehead moved the following resolution
1. That as it is impossible for non-profes. sional men to determine as to the best method of dealing with 4 work of such importance as the proposed New Central Market local architects be invited to send In designs for a New Central Market with detailed plans and estimates, the building to be erected on the present foundations, Government to offer two prizes therefor.
That in consequence of the Minutes of his Excellency Governor Sir William Des Voeux dated the 3rd and 14th April, 1891, this Committee is called upon to decide between the designs of the Honourable the Surveyor General and of Mr.-H. W. Wills.
3. That this Committee has no sufficient Information before Its Members to enable it to decide between the designs of the Hon ourable the Surveyor-General and'of Mr. H. W. Wills,
4. That a Commission be appointed with
power to call professional and other wit nesses before it to examine them and report. 5. That such Commission should consist of the Honourable the Acting Colonial Secre. tary, Mr. J. J. Keswick, and one of the other Un-official Members of Council. These rezolutions were not reconded. The Hon. J. J. Keswick moved the following
resolutions
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THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, FRIDAY, JULY 24, 1891.
· Another minute had been made by the Regis- they were willing to accept it'ns an epidemic | seeme worthy of consideration and he trar-General na follows :—"I reserve the remarks | hospital. At the same time they must take thought it probable some solution of the I have to make on this subject until it is brought notice of the words of the Colonial Surgeon difficulty might be found on those lines at up for discussio¬ at the next meeting of the when the matter was last discussed that the ex very moderate expesse. Another thing that Board. Dr. Cantlie is not correct when he says pense would he prohibitive. He need not truck him with regard to the Ryya way that no official statement was made of the meet-repeat himself on that point, but he thought the that in case of a very severe epidemic the hulk ing held in June last as to the purpose for which way to bring the matter to a head would be to would be large enough, whereas if arrange: the Hygeia is intended. A letter from the ask whether or not the hospital was available ments were made for the erection of matsheds on Colonial Secretary expressly stating its object in case of threatened epidemic. It was opposed large open spaces the accommodation might be was read. This letter should be produced when to the principle of the thing to say that when the increased as the demand arose. this question is again discussed."*
people were dying at the rate of a hundred a week they would use this place. Were they not to use isolation of a few cases, in order to prevent an this place? Were they not to use it before, for the cnidemic? They ought not to wait for a high death rate. Who bad charge of the place? Had the Sanitary Board power over it or the Colonial Surgeon? He thought the Sanitary Board should have the power over the opening and closing. He thought they should write back to the Govern ment and that the Hygeia should be under the direction of a Government official. He would move as a resolution that the Government he asked to hand over the control of the Hygeia to the Sanitary Board,
A minste by the President was as follows: "The exhaustive report of the Local Gove ment Board on the severe small-pox epidemic at Sheffield in 1887-88 appears to demonstrate con- clusively that a small-pox hospital in the centre of a town promotes the spread of the disease."
Dr. Cantlle said he should like to know from the Secretary whether the Board had any official intimation from the Government that the Hygeia was in existence. Were they supposed to take cognisance of it in their treatment of infectious disease? The letter received the other day seemed to him the first intimation that there was such a thing as the Hygeia in existence.
The Secretary said that beyond the letter from the Colonial Secretary read at a meeting of the Board a month ago he had received no informa-
tion whatever.
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The Registrar-General said he bad listened with very great interest to the remarks of Dr. Cantlle and he regretted that the Colonial Surgeon was not present, because it was chiefly the Colonial Surgeon's statement of the 18th June last that Dr. Cantlle had dealt with. But the question of expense was not the only thing
The Acting Captain Superlatendent of Police, in reply to Dr. Cantlle, said the Coloslal Surgeon had charge of the Hygeia. The police were there for a very short time as cate-takers, in addition to care takers provided by the Medical Department, but as soon as they received information the other day that the hulk would very likely be required for quarantine purposes on account of chofera at Swatow the police were removed.
It was then arranged that the matter should stand over, Dr. Cantlie's motion to appear on the orders of the day for the next meeting. THE SUNDAY LABOUR QUESTION
The following is the petition against the Sun- day Labour Ordinance, which has received 247 signatures, and was forwarded to the Secretary of State by the mail yesterday :-- To the Right Honourable the Secretary of State The petition and Memorial of the undersigned
for the Colonies.
Respectfully abewath :--
1-On the 30th day of April now last passed, there was in reduced into the Legislative Council of Hongkong and read a first time a Bill intitled "an Ordinance to restrict the loading and un- loading of cargo on Sunday in the waters of the Colony."
billd frequenting this cort, and to relieve them of what some of them have felt and complained of as a grievance.
" FAUST" AT THE THEATRE ROYAL
16.—If it relieves them of a grievance it in. flicts a much more serious injury on the large There was but a very meagro audience at the Chinese population of this colony, traders, ship City Hall last night to witness the production of owners and coolies alike. It will benefit at most Gounod's masterpiece "Faust" by, the Willard a few hundred persons during the year. ItOpera Company, and we cannot say we are necessarily throws out of employment for 52 surprised. at this either, although a few of the days in the year, thousands of Chinese, stevedores musical numbers almost recompensed even the and their gangs, coolies, cargo-boat owners and strictly critical for the otherwise trying ordeal of crews, warehouse keepers and their men. For having to sit and listen to the rendering of music every steamer that ceases to work cargo on that was absolutely beyond the abilities of many Sunday-five Europeans on an average may be of those engaged in the performance. "Faust," as relieved, not from all work but from one parti- everyone knows is the only one of. Gounod. cular description of work. The cessation of work or tras that can be termed a stock plece, and in it on that steamer on that day throws out of some of the finest operatic singers that the world cployment, against their will and without their
has known have scored their most brilliant consent, on an average, six large cargo-bonts
successes. The scope given for the' display of tl their crews, and at least roo other Chinese highclass vocalisation is unequalled, the music They are paid by the day, and the day's wages being in places infinitely tender and pathetic are lost to them.
while in others it is dramatic, to a degree. It was, however, hardly to be expected that the present company could produce this grand opera la fiting style, or even so, well as it has been done here before, notwithstanding the fact. that two or three of the artistes were quite capable of singing the music, and we were not at all surprised to see it cut down causiderably. The chootzes were wretchedly weals, two voices only being heard able in, the Fair scene, and undoubtedly the above the plans. This was particularly notice- management exercised a wise discretion in omitting the Soldiers Chorus, for when these concerted pieces cannot be well managed they are better left out altogether.
17-Five-sixths of the steamers loading and discharging in this part receive or deliver cargo which bas arrived bere in Chinese funks or will be exported from here in junks, The loading and discharge of the junks engaged in the trade of the port, aggregating over three millions of tong per annum, is hampered and delayed, li not actually stopped by the stoppage of work on steamers.
this port are either owned or chartered by Three-fifths of the steamers frequenting Chinese merchants. These seldom discharge cargo into warehouses; almost always into Junks direct. Their outward cargo is mostly received from junks. They do not believe in a Sabbath day; they need no Sunday rest, yet their whole business is to be dislocated and a seventh part of their year thrown away because there are one or two Eurosean officers on 19All these Chinese owned and chartered steamers and all the steamery employed in the coast trade employ Chloese compradores and staff to handle the cargo and it is only in the large ocean-going steamers that officers and crews are subject to cargo work on Sunday.
20.-The Ordinance thus confers a very doubtful benefit on a comparatively few men to the injury of a large number equally entitled to safeguarded.
2.The said All was fotroduced without the knowledge or sanction of the Executive Council-board of each of these steamers. of this Colony, without prior publication in the Hongkong Government Gpseste or in any other paper, and without any previous notice or la
matian to the public or to the members of Council that any legislation on the subject was about to be brought forward. “
Mr. W. Walshe gave a fair rendering of Faust and was in very good voice, but we thought lacked tenderness of expression, especially in the ducts, His solo, however, was fairly rendered considering that he was being perpetually annoyed by a drunken soldier at the back of the house who, forteuately, was eventually ejected. Mr. F. Saxby as Mephistopheles gave a very good account of himself and acted with a considerable amount of power, but the music was far too low to enable him to do jastice to his rather pleasing volca.. His serendia "Catarins, while you play at sleeping" was a disappointment, for the business which gene-- The Valentine of Mr. F. Wentworth was a per- formance that gave evidence of very careful study and evidenced a thorough knowledge of the "bis of the part, but unfortunately the muzie was a little beyond him, for his singing of the aria "Even bravest heart may swell" although transposed considerably lower than is usual, was only a passable effort: the death scene too might have been made considerably stronger.
2. That the Committee wish to state that ther/Understand the expense of opening the Hygeia whether the vessel should be used for quarantine | although daled on the Saturday, is never in fact have their opinions respected and their interests raily takes place, here was entirely omitted
make the above recornmendation on the understanding that every economy in the designs has been made which the Surveyor General can devise and that a saving of at least $20,000 will be made on the original
estimates.
The Han, Ho Kai seconded. Question put and agreed to.
THE TREATMENT OF INFECTIOUS DISKASES.
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The Registrar-General sald that in the minuts he had written on the pricts he expressly called attention to the fact that the letter referred to had been laid on the table, because Dr. Cantile stated that the Board bad no official information on the subject and that until be brought up the question at that meeting, they bad nothing before them. That was not quite the case. The Government had told them what the Hygeia was built for and that letter was in possession of the Board and was read and referred to more than once. That the Committee cannot undertake to-Dr. Cantle sald he thought the letter from the--had not been sufficiently consulted. The precis decide upon the 'comparative merits of the Colonial Secretary must have been dragged out two plans submitted to them, and the
of the Government by the President's question. responsibility of selecting a plan must. They did not get any nearer the truth at the remain with the Public Works Department; meeting referred to as to what the Hygeia was but this Committee, in view of tenders built for, when it was to be opened, or who was having been invited in. the usual way, te to open it. They were told by the Colonial commend the acceptance of Chang Kee's Surgeon, who was in charge of the Hygeia, that tender on the assumption that he is a man
the expense, was prohibitive--he did not think of sufficient means to carry it out sails. he exaggerated when he said he was led to factorily.
was prohibitive. All they wanted to know as a Board was whether it was possible to have the Hygeia for the purposes of quarantine or for use In case of an epidemic. They were told it was intended for those purposes, but they were also told that it was so expensive that, it was impas- sible to open it. But to open it for what? The term quarantine be supposed applied not only to passengers aniving by vessels but to persons affected with illness on shore. When an epidemic was threatened in Hongkong it was certainly can- sistent that the Board should have some means of dealing with the danger; there ought to be At the meeting of the Sanitary Board yester- some station to which people affected with disease day afternoon a precis of the correspondence could be sent. In that sense he took quarantine regarding a Hospital for the reception and treat to mean that they must quarantine people who ment of cases of infectious disease was laid on were infected. Now the position that was taken the table. It had already been circulated up with regard to the Hygels at the meeting about amongst members, and the following minute by a month ago was absolutely untenable. It was Dr. Cantlle was appended-
said in effect that it could not be opened for any- Concerning the Disposal of Infectious Per-thing, that there was no key to this wonderful sens.—Mr. McCallum's remarks concerning the place, that it was too expensive. The business disposal of Infectious persons are sensible and of the Board was to prevent epidemic, an if the apt. The same arguments come up time after Hygeia was not to be used for the purpose of time. 1st. Is every sick infectious person to be preventing epidemic the sooner they took some sent to Hospital-Mr. McCallum's remarks help other steps the better. Who would sit down and to convince one that such is not intended. Pro- wait for an epidemic in these days? What they vided the infected person can be disposed of by had to do was to prevent the epidemic. If the having (2) either a separate floor, with a must adopt other measures. He did not believe Hygeis was not available for that purpose they who shall have access only to the patient, that is requisite is thereby attained; (5) or a ↑ in the expense being so very great. It was true separate room isolated from the house traffic they would want a man to take charge of the with an attendant, and. The Chinese wil net embarkation of patients. Then it was said they go to the Hospital. Any medlent practitioner would want a steam launch, but there was an easy In Hongkong, who has intimate dealings with way out of that: put the people on board a junk Chinese sick, will know that this is a fanciful, and tow the junk. A junk could be got for very and untenable statement, I find less difficulty little. Then it was said they must have people In persunding Chinese of the coolle class (male on board, but there were people board now or female) to go to Hospital than I found some police. He thought the question of expense amongst the lower classes in London and still ·was put forward to cover up some other reason. less than amongst the labouring classes of the The Acting Captain' Superintendent of Police country throughout Britain. The numbers of Pardon me for correcting you as regards the Chinese who flock to the Alice Memorial Hos- police. There are no police on board. pital, not only as out-patients but as fri-patients, The Reglaurar-General-Does Dr. Cantlle not only, as free patients, but as paylog | mean to infer that it is being used as a police pailents, is surely a sufficient answer to sach bulk. arguments Again, the proportion of Chinese Dr. Cantlie said it was far from his purpose sick to the population who attend the Alice to say the ship was being used or misused; all Memorial Hospital is slightly higher than the he said was that there were police on board. number which attend Hospital even in London, He was only repeating what he was told by a where the Hospital systems is acknowledged to man on board a few days ago. If these police be abused. I hope that these statements will could be maintained on board what more trouble help to dispel the delusion which exista us to or expense would it be to open it for an epidemic the Chinese not doing this and that, when hospital? Therefore with regard expense wanted to, in sickness.” And It is only natural surely the Board would not allow that to come that it should be so ; they, give up much less in up again. It might be said they would have to in the way of home comforts, especially la alck- have a doctor there. A doctor could visit once juess, than do most· Europeans of the lower or twice a day; he did not know it was necessary classes. Many if not the most of the coolle class he should be resident there. Besides, they had fo Hongkong are here only as immigrants, and two doctors at the Civil Hospital, and when an therefore more likely to be persuaded to leave epidemic of smallpox took place one of them their dwelling as it is not generally their home, would have to give up his time to that, and it For all these reasons, without dealing with the would be no more hardship to him to attend the question as a danger to the community, but cases on board the Hygeia than elsewhere. It simply as affecting the sick individual and his would not be right that he should be attending feelings and the possibility of getting him to go in the wards of the Civil Hospital at the same to Hospital, I believe that the often repeated time in any case. There was no doubt the statements as to the impossibility of getting the Hygeia was an admirable hospital for the pur- Chinese to dealt with as the Board require pose, and be thought that were the Sanitary are exaggerated.
Board asked to take into consideration whether "Hospital for Infectious Disiase~The It was a fit and proper place for the placing of resumé concerning a hospital for Infectious patients they would approve of it, and having disease (capable of attaining an epidemic form) approved of it he did not think they would be de instructive; and the recommendations of the staggered at the expense. There was the ques- Board as stated in the accompanying circular | tion of getting to it in bad weather, but that was dated June 4th, 1888, are most interesting. ↑ a difficulty that occurred only once or twice The Board's recommendation of a permanent in a year, and he did not think that need building, with a skeleton framing, capable of detract from the value of the Hygria as a hospital speedy construction, seems to have been the halk. Having made these remarks he would be deliberate conclusion and advice of the Board glad to be informed where he had gone wrong. to the Government, Yet, Instead, the Colony He could see no reason why the ship should not possesses a floating hospital, constructed without be opened, on the ground of expense, on the the knowledge arrecommendation of the Board. occurrence of any case which a medical man In fact, the Board has no official Information thought ought to be isolated. that such a place of reception for infected sick The President said the question which Dr. exists; and until the matter was inadvertently Cantlle had mentioned was suggested by the brought up by myself at the Board meeting, smallpox cases which occurred during last winter. Jane, 1891, the fact of its existence was Very fortunately they were not numeroar, but never mentioned at the Board. At that meeting at one time they did seem of sufficient importance no official statement was made as to its for the Board to consider the steps it would be purpose; in fact, an opposite commualca necessary to take in case of an increase. Then conveyed and all attempts at there was the letter from the Colonial Secretary opening the hospital made by myself were that the Hygria was intended for use in case of combated by the members of the Board then epidemics so far as oficial declaration went it present.
The expense was considered · pro- would seem there would be no difficulty in using it hibitive by one member; the impossibility in the way Dr. Canilie recommended. Of course of getting patients, Chinese or Europeas, to go certain detalls would have to be arranged, but Their by other members, was advanced his agreed with Dr. Cantile that there ought to as arguments against its use. The question benodifficulty in making whatever arrangements what was thổ Hygeia to be used for! were necessary. He thought he might infer was shelved, roy proposition could not find a from what Dr. Cantile had said that he considered seconder; therefore the Board must look to the Hygeia a suitable place for the treatment of other means of dealing with those infected epidemic disease, whether cholera or smallpox, than by relying upon any help in that quarter. Dr. Cautio Yes, that is my individual epleton, Unless the question is decidedly brought for but I think we ought to be allowed as a Board ward by some member of the Board, the fo say whether we approve of the Hygeia or not. existence of the Hygeia so far as the Board is The President That being so, would you concerned must remain in nubibus. The further propose to address any further communication steps to be taken seem to me (unless the Heard to the Coloplat Secretary on the subject, or in
Government for a reply to the recommendations | should be raised ?
then was
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This meeting of Council was summoned with less than 24 hours' notice and so intimation was given to honourable members of any inten- tion on the part of the Government to press the Bill to a third reading that day. Two of the unofficial members of Council, the senior un- official member (the Honourable Phineas Ryrie), and the representative of the Chamber of Com- merce (the Honourable Thomas H. Whitehead) were unable to attend at that meeting of Council, because of the shortness of the notice and because it was mail day.
6-Your petitioners complain that this Or- dinance was introduced into and passed through Council in violation of Her Majesty's instruc- tions and of the standing orders and roles of the Legislative Council and in defiance of all con stitutional principle, and precedent, no oppor- tunity being given either to the public or to the unofficial members, or even to officials, members the principle of the Bill or its detalls of the Executive Council, to consider or discuss
8-There was, on the contrary, every reason why abundant time and the fullest, publicity should have been given for the consideration of a measure so largely affecting the business of this post, especially when it is remembered that the Chambers of Commerce of this Colony and of Singapore, the Governors of Hongkong and of the Straits Settlements, and the Honourable Mr. Fleming, when administering this Govern. ment, had declared themselves unable to deal with this question and had advised your Lord ship against legislation to control Sunday labour, and when it is remembered that your Lordship' in your place in Parliament had declared your self obliged to concur in their opinious,
21.—We say a doubtful benefit, because, even
23. Your petitioners most humbly represent that the Ordinance will at most relieve com- paratively few officers and men, not from all, but from one species of labour in the Colony on the Sunday; that to confer this very doubtful benefit on a few Europeans it throws out of employment on Sunday thousands of industrious Chinese who are depending, most of them, on their daily pay; that it interferes with the Chinese merchants, traders, and funk-owners in a very serious degres, and unnecessarily and without any corresponding advantage impedes and hampers the immense trade carried on in junks to and from this part; that it has been introduced and passed hastily and without due or any consideration, in opposition to the convictions and frequently expressed opinions of capable Governors and of our Lordship, and that it ought at once to be disallowed or repealed.
24-Your petitioners further submit that it would be far better to pass an Ordinance directly and expressly relieving all European officers and seamen from work in port on Sunday than to allow the present Ordinance to remain in force. The work of the port could then go on uninter. ruptedly, and what is now done "In most ships and steamers would then be done in all, cargo loaded, unloaded and tallied by Chinese compra- dores, stevedores and their men, without Euro- pran assistance.
brought up at that meeting, in fact was there were so many things brought up that he thought the meeting got a little mixed; there seemed to be some confusion as to whether they were dealing with sporadic cases or epidemics. Dr. Cantlic had said the Isolation of a few cases was very important but the question was who was to decide that the epidemic was imminest ? With regard to the Hygeia, he thought the Board of the correspondence showed that some years ago the Sanitary Board, after careful considera- tlon, made certain definite recommendations to the Government, but they never got any reply until they were finally informed the Hygeia was built and ready. He thought the Board. ought to receive more consideration at 3-The first and only publication of the sald the hands of the Government. He thought the Bill was in the Government Gaselfe of Saturday, Board ought also to have been consulted as to the and of May. The Government Gazette, as well as for an epidemic hospital. Dr Cantle published until the Sunday morning, and is not had brought forward a motion to, the effect that ¦ in the hands of the public until Monday. the Hygeia should be handed over to the control 4-A meeting of Council was held on Tues. assuming that the people relleved from labour of the Board, He saw one difficulty in regard to | day, the 5th May, which inceting the said Bill by the Ordinance will make good use of their this, and that was that the Hygeia in addition to was read a second time, passed through Com, leisure time, officers and men are relieved from being intended for the purposes of on epidemic nittee, read a third time and passed; the stand-only one species of labour the labour of discharg hospital was also intended as a quarantine station Ing orders having been suspended to allow of this Irg and taking fo cargo. The Ordinance does and it was the Health Officer, who was not a mem- belog done.
not forbid all unnecessary labour, as the older berofthe Board, who was responsible for moving
laws did. Officers and seamen may equally people from ships to the quarantine station. Dr.
well be employed all day in shifting or trimming Canilie bad also pointed out that the Chinese
ballast, or coals, repairing, painting, docking, or were not the prejudiced race of mortals they
in the hundred and one odd jobs constantly were represented to be. The statement he was
required on board ship. sure would be grateful Intelligence to many and
22-Steamers may freely dock, coal, provision, a surprise to not a few, and it was to be hoped
and if the owner thinks it worth while to pay the that when an epidemie did come we should find
fee, load and discharge cargo on the Sunday. If them as casily dealt with as Dr. Cantlit seemed
owners and masters do not think fit to co-operate, to think they could be. But were any people in
the officers and sailors gain nothing. The only the colony who became infected to be removed
gainer is the revenue. And for that the trade of whatever their surroundings might be? That
the port is practically stopped for a seventh of could not be done. If a person occupied a
the year. house which proper provision could be made for him there was no necessity or power to remove him at all; he could only be removed when there was no proper accommodation for him. He thought it would be well to remove the impression that people could be com pulsorily removed in all cases. He knew that dur- being discussed, there was some apprehension ing his absence at home, when this subject was
that removal was to be compulsory, and the There was no necessity whatever for fore- Chinese presented a numerously signed petitioning the Bill through Council; no demand by praying that there might be no interference with any large section of the population for legislation their family life is the way of the compulsory on the subject; no crisis of any sort to be met removal of any member of the family who no reason why the Bill should not have been became affected with infectious disease. There duly published, introduced, debated and con- was one point which Dr. Cantile had not touched sidered in the ordinary way. upon in his speech at all, although he had in his minute, and that was the matter of an epidemic hospital on shore. Dr.. Canille seemed to be of opinion that in addition to the floating hospital they should have some means of housing people on shore. Many proposals had been made, amongst others that of the Sanitary Board, of which the Government had taken no notice. If it were thought desirable to have an epidemic hospital on shore it could easily be arranged, Sites might be chosen at each end of the town. (in order to do away with the necessity of patients being taken all through the towo), and be levelled and so arranged thai matsheds could be run up on them without delay. That was a matter that could be arranged very slight expense and which would be very useful in the event of any outbreak such as had visited us in the past and might visit us in the future. The Sanitary Board formerly recommended iron stanchions for the framework, but seeing that they lived amongst a people perhaps unequalled in the world for the speedy manner in which they can run up structures of a durable nature, he thought they ought to utilise their skill in that direction instead of having iron stanchions. Seeing there was such a small attendance at the meeting and that this was a matter of some Im portance, he thought it would be only fair to the other members that the Board should not to-day come to any definite decision. He was sure Dr. Cantlis would not mind bolding over the question to next meeting when they might have some more discussion on it, though it might perhaps be thought they bad had enough, 11-Your petitioners would, further, most but at any rate he though they ought to give strongly urge apan your Lordship that of all the Colonial Surgeon an opportunity of giving possible legislation with a view to enforce or them his views on the subject, especially seeing promote the observance of Sunday, the Ordia. comments had been made on what he had said on a previous occasion and he had not had an useless and the most mischievous. It cannot ance recently passed in Hongkong is the most opportunity of replying. He therefore moved benefit the small class of persons for whose rellef that the matter be deferred to the next meeting. it has been ostensibly passed. It throws out of Dr. Cantlle seconded the motion, and in doing employment, for one day in seven, thousands of so said it must not be forgotten we had a men and women who are anxious and willing to quarantine house on Stonecuiters Island. This work. It seriously interferes with a large and had apparently been lost sight of. It was a valuable trade, in which every moment of time is first-rate house. He believed it' was now not of importance and to which the Colony, is available owing to the action of the military indebted for its growth and prosperity. authorities, who said they could not have s 12. Your petitioners need hardly remind your quarantias station in the middle of a fort. Lordship that no legislation enforcing, in whole Therefore this house was no longer avaliable, or in part, a weeldy day of teat can now be intros and in its place we had got the Hygeia. He duced or supported on religious grounds only, therefore thought they might regard the Complete toleration for all opinions and complete Hygeia as a quarantine station. Adopting that freedom for all practices not openly inconsistent view he thought the suggestion of the Registrar with social order and public decency. Is neces- General was a good one, to have an epidémic serily, at the present day, the ruling principle of hospital at each end of the town. It would not all English legisiztion, be necessary, to have two doctors; ann could 13-If this is so in the United Kingdom, attend to both, with good ward masters in where the vast majority are professing Christians, charge. The question could very well be left much more powerfully must the rule be enforced over to the next meeting, but he did not think in Her Majesty, dominions in unde ma co what had been said was altogether waste of East, where the vast bulk of the population are words, even though they had not quite agreed. non-Christian and pagan and are dominated by The President said he agreed that it was principles, religious, social, and economical, and desirable to adjourn the consideration of the habituated to practices opposed to the idea of a question to the next meeting, but there were one weekly day of reat or devailon, the bouten or two points to which he might refor. There 14min Hongkong the non-Christian popula was this difficulty in handing over the Hygda to tion numbers 212,896 or thereabouts out of the Sanitary Board, that in case of an epidemic total of all classes and creeds of 221,441. The the Board had no medical officer or pursing Chinese do not recognise for any purpose a staff to place in charge of the patients. Again, weekly day of rest. Sunday as a day of devotion although in case of emergency the Hygold is unknown to them. From an economical point": "Net having a heart to sit and so you tal Into might be used to a certain extent both for of view they, the oldest, the most numerous and danger I send you this special information,
9.-Your petitioners most respectfully submit that, they are entitled, on the above grounds alone, if there were no other, to ask your Lord- ship to advise Her Majesty the Queen to dis silaw the Ordinance in question, and, if you should think legislation on the subject necessary or desirable, to direct the introduction into the Legislative Council of an amended Bill, with full notice to the public and to the members of the Council, after a careful examination of the con ditions of trade here and with ample opportunity for discussion and examination.
10.-Your petitioners, however, most humbly submit that your Lordship's decision publicly announced in July last, that any interference on the subject of Sunday labour was surrounded by grave difficulties and was undesirable, was a wise and prudent, decision and ought not to ba reversed.
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We are very pleased indeed to be able to com- pliment and congratulate Miss Alice St. John apon her successful delineation of the character of Marguerite. Miss St. John's acting and singing were alike autistic and intelligent while her rendering of the jewel tong was a most ortistic effort and met with a great reception.
Miss Clasie Denver has already proved how
cultured an artiste she is, and at Stebel it may be assumed that she gathered fresh laurels. Her singing of the ballad "Gentle flowers in the dew" was a musical treat that dwellers in the East do not get very often; indeed her singing throughout was excellent with perhaps the exception of a slight tremole in the upper notes which doublers had its origin in nervousness. Mr. E. Fearnly as Wagner was not the succes that we should have liked to see him, while Miss Bessie Royal in her own sphere is far too good an actress to be criticised when folsted Into a part like Martha, - Anyhow "Faust" is too big an order for Mr. Willard's company, and indeed for most of those travelling, for it is seldom that it can be decently performed in the East without the assistance of the amateur element, which in this particular case was conspicuous by Its absence. On Saturday night the Company is to produce “La Fille du Tambour Major " under the patronage of the popular Colonel of the A. & S. Highlanders, and 'as this delightful opera bouffe is a decided favorite here there is no doubt that there will be a crowded house.
A CHOLERA-STRICKEN SHIP.
On Monday the rgth Inst, there årrived at. Singapore, from Swatow, the British steamer Namchow, Captain Colonna, rtog tons. She was reported in the Harbour Department books as bringing 525 deck; and two Zuropean pas- Your petitioners therefore most humbly pray.sengers. Her master further reported "6deaths, That the Ordinance in question may be visSteward, quarter-master, firemen's 'cook disallowed.
of influenza, and three other passengers, (all Chinamen) to my belief of general debility caused by want of opium. The rest all well,"
Her full passenger Hat was--
•—That If vefortunately it has already been sanctioned and approved by your Lordship it may be repealed or no amended as to relieve the trade of the port from a grievous burden.
And your peti lonera as in duty bound' whil ever pray, &c., &c., &c.
Hongkong, 22nd July, 1891,
A CHINESE EPISTLE,
day during the hearing of the case Regina.. The following interesting letter was put in to Hung Mal Hol and others, at the Police Court this afternoon -
jote | (Translation of the Cover)
༄!
|
|
"Amoy to Singapore 407; Swatow to Singa- pore 118) Amoy to Penang, 229; Swatow to Penang 8. Total $25 for Singapore, 237 for Penang, grand total 761.".
The Namchew discharged her passengers, leaving the same day for Penang.
above and the particulars given do not represent We hear on credible authority, says the Fras Press of the following day, that the report all the facts. It is said that the number of deaths on the voyage was between fifty and sixty, that they occurred within a few houri The enclosed important letter inside is to be after the person affected being reised with liness, taken and banded to Tao the No. 3 young that in fact the ship was nothing more than a gentleman (named) Sik Chan, in the Tso family floating structure filled with cholera-contaminated No. 3, the first floor above Chu Ping Cheung, passengers. The deaths are said to have Name (of sender) is wiltten within. | occurred so frequently that the means of (Translation of the endorsement of the Cover) committing them decently to their watery grave
Sealed.
Firmly.
6th Moon, 12th day, (17th July, 1891).
·{Translation of Latter.) Now, presuming that you are clever in back- ing up law suits, you charge a certain individual called Yeung and several others with conspiring to swindle. You inflict the first baneful blow and seem to have taken advantage of the fair wind. As regards the case before the Court), a chessman might be lost to you (as in a game of chess). But then do you know the brethren of their band! Their confederation being larger and their influence great who dare to cope their companions numerous), their acts hurtful; with them? Do you mean to say that the arm of a mantis would be able to stop a vehicle, and that the curent of water] might be interrupted by the throwing in of whips? Yesterday a small in bigers only you arded alco matky roots to (in order that) should take early steps to have matters arranged and to hand back the oilginal money, so that both parties; may with- draw their hands, thus you may have no mom cater to 'disturb your pillow. Otherwise cala- mities will immediately arrive. Have you heard of the story of the Fok, Mong FoEven King of ten thousand charlots (an Emperor) met with danger of this sort, what then may not happen to people of your class Child, just think of this, and not to repent, afterwards,
Don't wait until the rattan and tree are rotica, it is well to quote to you these two sentences, **The third elder brother Six Chan wako and fake note
were wanting,
The steamer has now left for Penang and it is impossible to say how far these statements are correct, but there soonis to be no reasonable doubt that they are not far, if at all, short of the truth. They are vouched for by people who could have no object in stating other than the truth. And they are further vouched for by the state of various anfortunate Chinamen landed from the vessel.
There have been nine cases of undoubted
cholera, starting from four separata parts of the town, cach case traced, with almost certainty, to passengers from the Namchow.
lies in their power to cope with the evil that has Meanwhile the authorities are doing all that arisen and the evil that may be expected from China Ports. Two launches are waiting to board all ships thence, which are to be then wont directly into quarantine if necessary.
Steps have also been taken by telegraphing to Penang to secure further information as to the Namchow
"BRITISH NORTH BORNEO,
Dr. Atcherly has been prospecting the country in the neighbourhood of Kinabalu for minerala and has arrived in Sandakan, to take a tour round the Segama and Darvel Bay distalets,
The steamship Rones, Captala Branch, arrived- at Sandakan on Thursday, June 18th, from
Co was a passenger and we were all glad to see him looking so well and fitzerny,
means to initify its owd actions) to ask the | what way would you suggest the ques epidemic and quarantine casos, it was clear to the most industrious of peoples, with a practical The poetry of the public warnings has it, / Singapore, víc Labuan and Kadat." Mr T. C. of the Board sent in Juna 4th, 1888.......... Should the Dr. Cantile said it seemed to him a slight had Board receive a reply that the recommendations been cast on the Board. They were held be satisfactory as a permanent one. Suppose thes put forward had not been acted upon, but responsible for the maintenance of the health of an epidemic of smallpox and quarantine for that the Hygeia had been bullt fastend, it is than the public, or for the prevention of epidemics cholera were to occur at the same time, the people for the Board to say whether or not it considers the flygria a fit and convenient place for the reception of persons affected with lnfectious: diesse capable of staining an epidemic forms,"
and they were not asked a single question as to to be guarantined would naturally object to being whether they approved of the Hygria or not, put fit ploer octopled by anti-pex patterns or
thing of the need for a weekly day of rest, de not suffer and do not seem to have suffered in the past from the wapk of it, say low gives
15.--The Sunday Labour Ordinance has been introduced and passed solely for the Benchɛ of
But fat that pass. He thought they ought which had recently been so occupied. The very small class of men, the officers and Kurp
to write backe to the Government and say | suggestion thrown out by the Register-General pean crews of steamers and ships of European
(Signed)
SEEDPLA
H. M. 3. Egeria arrived in Sandakan en Juna 28th from Darrel Bay,
A
• Tho General Mosling of the Planters' Assoc tion took place on Saturday June 6th, (A man of prudenca) Bandakan Hotel, for the purpose of confessio
"al