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Ordinances introduced since the year 1887 were carried by the Government against the opposition of the Unofficial Members, and that during the past 18 years the sum of $4,748,522 has been spent in works of Sanitation.
4. Still the fact remains that the expenditure of this money has had apparently no effect upon the recurrence or severity of Bubonic Plague, a disease as mysterious and as fatal now, as it was in 1894.
5. In my despatch No.244 of the 5th instant, I mentioned the experiment of thoroughly disinfecting a small district. That disinfection took place on the 21st and 22nd of last June. I regret to find that in the short time that has since elapsed, and with a rapidly decreasing plague return, there have been reported eight cases from this small disinfected area. This does not promise much hope of success from the extensive and expensive experiment of disinfecting the entire town next Spring as suggested by me.
We might possibly reduce the death rate by producing an exodus, but this places us no nearer to a solution of this terrible difficulty.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your most obedient,
Humble servant,
Henry Arthur Blake
GOVERNOR,
&c.