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These closets are of the objectional pan variety without any system of flushing, with the result that especially in the hot weather a disgusting odour therefrom easily penetrates and prevades the kitchen accomodation. The cooked food for the European messes has to be carried through the sleeping quarters of the Chinese Constables (where some of the occupants are always either sleeping, changing their clothes or cleaning themselves), and your petitioners submit that the whole system is dirty and dangerous
to health.
At the Central Station there are only three bath-rooms for nearly thirty constables. These bath-rooms are frequently used by other than Europeans and are always in a dirty condition. The supply of water is hopelessly inadequate, hot water being only provided twice a week from 7 a.m. to 9.a.m. and this during the winter mouths only. It is often impossible by reason of hours of duty for men to get a warm bath for two weeks on end, and your petitioners submit that coming in close contact with the lowest class of Chinese and often being forced to handle them in the execution of Police duty, that they should be able to have a warm bath every day. Moreover in order to reach the bath-rooms and closets it is necessary to pass through quarters occupied by natives. It is suggested that the whole of this accomodation be placed on the same floor as the European dormitories.
At No. 5 Station in Queen's Road Central, there are from 10 to 15 men stationed, and immediately beneath their windows there is a Chinese public trough closet. A stench of so exceedingly objectionable a nature comes from this source into the European quarters that since this trough closet was erected some fifteen months ago practically every man stationed at No. 5 Station has suffered from sore throat and
uther sickness.
No. 5 Station is also the Chief Fire Station and the members of the Force have to remain on the premises practically the whole of their time when not on Police duty, in readiness for a call of fire. There is an utter want of any accomodation for recreation. The need of a reading-room and small rooins or cubicles is keenly felt, where members of the Force can take rest or recreation without that disturbance which cannot be avoided where the one and only room for all purposes of rest and recreation is the
common sleeping room.
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