From Mr. H. A. Ritchie, Superintendent P & O. S. N. Co.
To Mr. R. C. Wilcox, Secretary, Chamber of Commerce.
Dear Sir,
(1)
339
Hongkong, 8th July, 1901.
I have carefully perused the letter from the Acting Health Officer of the Port to the Colonial Secretary which has been circulated for the information of the Committee of the Chamber.
I much regret to notice that Dr. Swan appears to regard my letter of the 17th May, requesting the Committee of the Chamber to urge upon the Government the pressing necessity which exists for placing the system of the Medical inspection of Shipping in this Harbour on a more satisfactory footing, in the light of a personal attack on himself. As the Committee are well aware, the letter was written solely in the interests of the Port and I took special pains to disclaim any intention of casting a reflection on the present Health Officer. Dr. Swan having chosen to adopt this attitude cannot now complain if I question his statements and criticise his actions.
Para: 1. It is perfectly evident to any impartial reader of my letter that the cases of detention of the "Coremandel" and "Ballaarat" were merely cited, as I explained, as forcible illustrations of the defects of the present system. No suggestion was made that the Government allowed the Post Office Officials to disembark before Medical Inspection in consequence of the detentions undergone by these vessels - as a matter of fact, the Government notification to this