317
(4)
It was understood by the Chamber that new regulations would consequently be issued, and it was not until the appearance of the Notification that the Com- mittee became aware that restrictions were still to be continued.
Quarantine has hitherto proved altogether inefficacious to withstand the in- troduction of Cholera into any locality, and especially must the principle be useless in the case of this Colony, whose natural surroundings present opportunities so diverse and so wholly beyond control for the admission of disease, that the system now in force is practically rendered a useless measure.
The Committee would suggest, that a Lazaretto of a permanent character, for the reception of patients infected with Cholera, should be erected on the Quarantine Ground on Stone-Cutters' Island.
The Committee is aware of the advantages to be derived from lodging the patients in temporary structures, which can be burnt immediately after they are free of patients, in order more effectually to destroy all sources of infection; but, they recognize, in view of the destructive effects of the typhoons to which the Colony is liable during the summer months, the advantages of at least possessing a certain amount of perinanent accommodation for the reception of patients in case of any emergency.
tine
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The Committee of the Chamber earnestly request that the subject of Quaran- be reconsidered. The present restrictions on Shipping are of no practical use against the introduction of disease, and they are calculated to seriously interfere with all mercantile interests.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient humble Servant,
(Signed), W. KESWICK,
Chairman.
SIR,
(5)
HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, HONGKONG, 4th August, 1885.
With reference to this Chamber's letter of the 15th ultimo respecting the Quarantine Regulations published in the Hongkong Government Gazette of the 27th June last, and to your reply thereto, I am desired to state that the Committee would be glad to be informed of the particular circumstances which render imprac- ticable the adoption of the regulations referred to in paragraph 4 of Lord DERBY'S despatch to His Excellency Governor Sir G. F. Bowen dated 13th February, 1885, as the Committee would be glad to render such assistance as is in their power with a view to removing the difficulties that may exist.
The Honourable F. STEWART, LL.D.,
No. 1052.
SIR,
Acting Colonial Secretary.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
- (Signed), P. RYRIE,
Vice-Chairman,
No. 908.
SIR.
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE,
HONGKONG, 18th July, 1885.
In answer to your letter of the 15th instant respecting the Quarantine Regulations published in the Government Gazette of the 27th ultimo,
you
am directed that His Excellency
by the Officer Administering the Government to inform is advised that, in the present circumstances of the Colony, it would not be practicable to apply effectually those alternative precautionary measures which, according to the terms of Lord DERBY'S Despatch, would be necessary if quarantine were to be abolished.
The Honourable WM. KESWICK,
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
(Signed),
FREDERICK STEWART, Acting Colonial Secretary.
Chairman, Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce.
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE,
HONGKONG, 8th August, 1885.
With reference to your letter of the 4th instant regarding the Quarantine Regulations against Cholera, I have the honour to convey to you the thanks of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government for the assistance which you have been good enough to offer, and which, as he well knows, is never wanting on the part of the Chamber, when the Government is in need of it. In this case, however, the removal of the difficulties referred to is rather beyond the power of the Chamber, arising as they do, in a great measure, from the habits, condition, and nature of the people we have to deal with, and the difficulty of making any reliable inspection of vessels or tenements, where every endeavour is made to conceal disease.
The Health Officers would have, in fact, to board every junk and other vessel and search it throughout, in order to detect the existence of Cholera or other disease. Under these circumstances, therefore, and seeing that the best means of guarding against the introduction of Cholera are still surrounded with doubt, the Officer Administering the Government and the Executive Council are firmly of opinion that it is far better, in a moment of great danger, that the Governor of this Colony should have the power in reserve of having recourse to Quarantine Regulations, rather than that we should be dependent altogether on a system of inspection, which, in the present condition of the native population, could not be porperly enforced.
The Honourable P. RYRIE,
Vier-Chairman of the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce,
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