Enclosure 2. 1st Feby. 1887
Attention was called last year by one of the Unofficial Members of Council to the large infantile mortality at the two Roman Catholic Convents. Very young children are taken when dying to these two Convents by Chinese, it is believed with the view of saving the expenses of burial. The cases are generally hopeless and deaths commonly occur within a few hours after admission. There is no more than ordinary sickness amongst the children who are residents in these Convents.
It was suggested that Government should provide Medical attendance free for the children of the poor Chinese, but the parents would object to receive visits, even free of charge, from European Medical Men, and any attempt in this direction would be hopeless.
Detailed statistics of the Mortality of the past year were prepared for by the Sanitary Board for the first time last year.