M 120
(4) All rice fields, hyacinth ponds and stagnant pools have been drained for a radius of half a mile from the centre of the camp and in some places for a greater distance. In the Shing Mun Valley this work extends to a distance of nearly 2 miles and to a width of mile on the left bank and mile on the right.
(5) The total length of pre-cast concrete channels and concrete channels built in situ is 74 miles.
(6) The total length of subsoil pipe laid is 10 miles.
(7) The Shing Mun river, together with the river running into Gindrinkers Bay, with its tributaries has been cleared of boulders and canalised for a length of 5 miles, and all possible breeding places either filled in with concrete or stone, or drained.
598. In Hong Kong, large works are usually carried out through contractors and sub-contractors who pay their coolies only for the days they work. The strength of the labour force varies with the requirements of the situation as judged by the contractors or sub-contractors.
599. The contractors usually supply house accommodation, but neither food, nor medicines nor comforts for the sick. The coolie who falls ill must tend for himself and he who has neither money nor friends must look to Government or some charity organisation for maintenance and treatment. In any case the individual who is unable to work soon takes his departure and disappears from the ken of the contractor. At Shing Mun free treatment and hospital accommodation was provided but there were many who followed the fashion of the country and left in search of a change of scene. Under the circumstances it is most difficult to compile accurate vital statistics.
600. The following table shows as accurately as is possible under the circumstances, the average percentage of the labour force off duty daily owing to sickness:-
Month Percentage Estimated Population January to July - - August 5.3% 650 19 17 *September 3.2% 800 17 ?? October 4.2% 807 77 33 November 6.1% 707 "} ?? December 5.8% 685 }} 17601. Malaria accounted for 30% of the cases.
*The lowness of the September rate is due to the influx of a number of healthy coolies from Shanghai.