155
237
Ordinance to extend across one-half of the width of the house.
The minimum width has been fixed at 5 feet because that is
the usual width of a window opening into the yard at the rear
of Chinese houses.
Considerable difficulty has been experienced
in finding a satisfactory definition of the term 'external air'.
It is hoped that the new definition will be found sufficient.
Sections 3 to 12, 15 to 17, 21, 24, 26,
5.
and the amendment of Section 253 of the principal Ordinance
have been enacted in order to give effect to the instructions
contained in Mr. Chamberlain's Despatch No. 271 of the 24th. -
July last.
6.
The amendments effected by Section 14
will greatly facilitate prosecutions for overcrowding. The
procedure under the principal Ordinance was slow and cumbrous
involving a repetition of visits by the Sanitary Inspectors.
The proviso is added to enable a conviction to be obtained
and punishment inflicted in a case where the premises were
overcrowded on the Inspector's visit but have ceased to he so
by the time the case comes before the Magistrate.
7.
The object of Section 18 is to provide
for the case of windows opening on a balcony or verandah.
8.
cubicles.
I come now to the amendments concerning
Although it is stated in the penultimate
paragraph of Messrs. Chadwick and Simpson's Report of the
14th. of May, 1902, that the Bill submitted with their report
regulated cubicles by requiring that every cubicle shall be
rovided with a window into the external air, yet the
difficulty
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