Enclosure
showing the first results in the Chinese quarter of this City of my proclamation the 4th cuttino, sujoining the ultūrio, of 10 houses, and other cleansing of Sanitary Measures.
I have the honor tobe, My Lord, Your Lordships Most Obedient Stumble Desvant 5. Bowen
THE SECRETARY SANITARY Board to THE COLONIAL SegretART.
Sanitary Board Room, Hongkong, 27th August, 1883.
SIE-I have the honour by direction of the Sanitary Board to lay before you the following particulars showing what has been done to carry out the terms of H., the Governor's Proclamation, as issued by the Registrar-General, calling on the people to cleanse and purify their houses. On the representation of the Registrar-General it was arranged that the people should be allowed for eight days, beginning on Sunday morning, the 19th instant, to throw on the street before 9 a.m. and after 4 p.m. the filth and rubbish collected in the cleansing of their houses. The people availed themselves of this concession to such an extent that, notwithstanding the great exertions of the Sanitary Staff, by Tuesday evening immense heaps of rubbish were to be seen in almost every street in the Tai-ping-shan and Sai-ying-poon districts. Unfortunately the people continued depositing rubbish on the street all day long, instead of the hours conceded to them, and as the whole attention of the Nuisance Inspectors was devoted to the speedy removal of the enormous quantities of filth on the streets nothing could be done to stop a proceeding that added considerably to the difficulty of efficiently scavenging the city under such abnormal circumstances. By Friday evening the streets were again fairly clear, but up to the last considerable quantities of rubbish were being deposited on the street. The attached Schedule shows the quantity of filth removed each day as well as the total amount for the eight days. The estimate is based on the carrying capacity of the boats used.
The average quantity of rubbish removed daily from the city has hitherto been calculated at about 85 tons, or a total for 8 days of 680 tons, but an increase of 15 tons daily may fairly be made owing to the facilities afforded by the dust-carts perambulating the streets; this would raise the total normal quantity for eight days to 800 tons. This leaves 2,415 tons as the quantity of accumulated filth, dust, and rubbish removed from the city.
The removal of such a large amount of filth clearly shows the very filthy condition in which a large portion of the city must have been and at first sight reflects on the efficiency of the Sanitary Staff. It has, however, to be borne in mind that according to the present state of the law a Nuisance Inspector can only deal with what comes under his observation while on the street; he has no authority unless under special instructions from the Board to enter any house. The actual cleansing of tenements, so far as the Chinese tenants are concerned, must be considered satisfactory, but the work of lime-washing by the owners of property proceeds but slowly.
Estimated quantity of filth, dust, rubbish, &c., removed from the city under special conditions during eight days beginning on the 19th August and ending on 26th August:
19th, Sunday 245 tons 20th, Monday 245 21st, Tuesday 470 22nd, Wednesday 645 23rd, Thursday 470 24th, Friday 350 25th, Saturday 380 26th, Sunday 410 Total 3,215 Calculated usual average for 8 days at 85 tons per day 680 2,535 Allowance of 15 tons per day for 8 days as normal increase with increased facilities for removal 120 2,415--I have &c.,
(Signed) HUGH MCCALLUM, Secretary, Sanitary Board.
The Honourable the Colonial Secretary,
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