Abominable human rabbit-warrens, now so general in Hong Kong, designed without light, ventilation or Sanitary Convenience have rapidly spread in the town, and they aptly illustrate the native idea of sanitation as applied to house building.
Each of these fever dens - in the event of an Epidemic - will accurately become a focus of disease, so that the Concession to the Chinese landlords may some day be dearly paid for. In the inclosed copy of Dr. Ayres' report marked E, Your Lordship will perceive that in paragraphs 5 and 12 he strongly condemns this type of Chinese dwelling, but Dr. Ayres' protest has been as unavailing as mine.
Hennessy has in fact established terrorism among the Sanitary Staff of the Colony. The higher officers of that Staff, Dr. Ayres and myself, had become the objects of frequent personal insult. The District Inspectors acting under us lived in constant dread and uncertainty as to how far their attempts to perform their duty efficiently among the Chinese might bring down upon them the displeasure of the higher authorities.
The result has been "weak and vacillating" action, and consequently a Saturnalia of filth - which will continue until His Excellency abandons the policy that has led to this state of affairs.
8 July 1880
383
Governor
Page 383