SANITARY REPORTS (HONGKONG).
The following documents have been laid before the Legislative Council.
SANITARY STATE OF THE GAOL (1877-1878) AND THE DRY EARTH SYSTEM.
EXTRACT FROM THE REPORT of the GAOL COMMITTEE LAID BEFORE HIS EXCELLENCY GOVERNOR SIR ARTHUR KENNEDY, K.C.M.G.
The Superintendent and Warden have called the attention of the Committee to the vitiated state of the air in the wards in the early morning caused by the stench proceeding from the night buckets. It is not easy to suggest a complete remedy as there is great difficulty in procuring mould in Hongkong. The soil of the Island, a sort of laterite or disintegrated granite, does not absorb the urine so well or deodorise it so thoroughly as mould. The great point, however, seems to be that the earth of whatever kind (except clay) should be dry and well sifted; when mixed with a small quantity of the common carbolic acid it would, it is believed, mitigate the nuisance.
F. SNOWDEN, Chairman.
Victoria, Hongkong, 21st April, 1876.
(Signed) C. MAY.
P. RYRIE.
W. M. DEANE.
M. S. TONNOCHY.
MINUTE BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR.
On visiting the Gaol I found that a system of latrines is in use that has long since been condemned in similar institutions elsewhere; such a system may lead at any time to a serious outbreak of disease. Refer the Acting Superintendent's memorandum, and any other documents on the subject, to the Colonial Surgeon for his observations.
(Signed) J. POPE HENNESSY.
28th May, 1877.
COPY OF MEMORANDUM MADE BY THE ACTING SUPERINTENDENT IN REPLY TO THE GOVERNOR'S ENQUIRIES ON HIS EXCELLENCY'S VISIT TO THE GAOL, 26th May 1877.
I find from the records that in July 1874, on the recommendation of Mr. TONNOCHY, a number of wooden Closets were put up in the Cells with a view to introducing the earth system, which I am informed was tried for a short time, but owing to a difficulty in procuring suitable earth and getting the prisoners to use it, the system was abandoned.
Mr. SCUDDER, the Head Turnkey, tells me that during the short time the dry earth system was being tried the smell in the Corridors was more offensive than it had been before.
The old system was reverted to, viz.: a wooden bucket with a close fitting cover is provided for each Cell which the prisoners use at night—the contents are removed in the morning by the Government scavenger. During the day time the prisoners go to the latrines provided in the five Upper Yards, but those employed in the Lower Yard use the buckets, which are emptied every morning.
Female prisoners use buckets day and night, which are emptied into the drain running through the Yard.
Prisoners confined in the Remand or Debtors' Ward or in solitary or separate confinement use the buckets both day and night.
(Signed)
GEO. L. TOMLIN, Acting Superintendent.