34
35
,
this matter.
20.
It is also a noteworthy fact that the outbreak of the present year, as in 1894, was preceded by a prolonged scarcity of water. In 1894 the rainfall commenced exceptionally late, and not until the supply of
water in the reservoirs was
nearly exhausted, while in 1895 the amount of rain which fell abnormally small (45.84 inches instead of the usual 90 inches) that it was ne
was so
nee
necessary
in
37
in order to husband the supply until the rains of 1896, to place
the Colony
on a
limited supply
throughout the dry
Season
of
1895-1896. On the other hand it must not be forgotten that the
rainfall of 1894, when it did at last come, was as
accompanied by a sudden and very great. increase in the number of
cases
of plague, doubtless be-
cause the wet weather drove the Chinese within doors and increased the overcrowding in.
these