Delegates on the proceedings of the International Sanitary Conference held at Venice in February and March last, together with a copy of the Convention.
I have referred those documents to the Sanitary Board for consideration, and the Board is of opinion that this Colony cannot adhere to the Convention in its entirety inasmuch as there is no quarantine station in Hong Kong, where the passengers and crews of infected vessels can be kept under observation and the alternative surveillance is impracticable here owing to local conditions and the large coolie traffic.
In that opinion I and the members of Executive Council, whom I have also consulted in the matter, concur.
I have the honour to be, Sir, Your Most Obedient Humble Servant, W. Robinson