In view of a serious epidemic at Shanghai a special campaign was carried out by the department with the assistance of Mr. S. W. Tso between January 3rd and January 23rd during which time 126,000 persons were vaccinated at an expenditure of $3,700. The department is indebted to the Chinese Public Dispensary Committee and to the Young Men's Christian Association and St. John's Ambulance Division for voluntary assistance in this campaign.
SCAVENGING.
Approximately 255 tons of refuse were received daily at the refuse depots from the City of Victoria, Hill District and Kowloon peninsula. Slightly under 10 tons daily were collected from Shaukiwan and Quarry Bay and dumped on waste ground. Approximately 2 tons daily were collected in Kowloon City and burnt. The cost of the service in Hongkong (including Shaukiwan and Quarry Bay) and Kowloon is shown in Appendix I attached. Table 3 shows a comparison with last year. The higher cost is apparent rather than real as it appears that too great an allowance was made in 1921 for the wages of coolies stated to be otherwise employed. The total cost of the service works out at $1.11 per ton exclusive of special expenditure.
(b) Outlying villages of Stanley and Taitam, and Aberdeen and Aplichau were scavenged by contract at a yearly charge of $396 for the first two and $840 for the latter two. The contractor has the privilege of receiving night-soil in each case in addition.
REFUSE REMOVAL.
The bulk of the refuse from the City of Victoria and Kowloon was barged away to sea as hitherto. An experimental dump at Cheung Sha Wan was started in May and some 16,000 tons were deposited there by barges.
Appendix I, Table 2 shows cost of removal from Victoria, the Hill district and Kowloon peninsula. Comparative figures for the last two years will be found in Table 3. The cost works out at 55 cents a ton exclusive of special expenditures, a small reduction on last year.
An order was placed for a steam towing launch to cost $49,700 to relieve steam lighters S.D.1 and 2 and avoid the expense of hiring when these boats are on the slip.
Barges were delayed on ten occasions for a short time only by typhoon signals.
S.D.1 and 2 each broke down once. Launches were hired during repairs at a cost of a little over $2,000.