COPY
Enclosure 1.
C.O.
300
21463
RECO Rcg 5 W 00
Mimite
ctor of Public Works.
Hon. Colonial Secretary.
Mr.Drury promised to give me before he left, a complete plan and Estimates for an underground latrine, in the most suitable site he could find, selected by himself. This he failed to do, and I regret to say it escaped my memory; he had some plan in hand, but none of them were finished, nor were any definite Estimates of cost prepared.
I must say I do not think the scheme practicable:
At the lower levels, where latrine are most needed, the difficulty
of keeping out water, and of draining the buildings,would I
be
fear insurmountable. At the higher levels, subsoil water would
A
give much trouble, and the excavations would probably be in
rock or boulders and therefore very costly. Ventilation would
be a difficulty, and I do not think Hongkong has yet reached the state, when latrines, aired and ventilated by Electric Fans driven by special motors, could be seriously entertained.
I understand the Medical Officer of Health has re- ported in a separate paper to you regarding the value of night soil.
(Sd.) R.D. Crusby,
Director of Public Works.
22/5/1900.
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