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health; in greater numbers they would no doubt be so. The only way of avoiding endless disputes about this question would be to mark out once and for all an area, including the catchment areas of the water supplies, on which squatting or building was absolutely prohibited, and if necessary, pass an ordinance empowering the War Depart- ment to deal summarily with all within that area. On the introduction of the new water supply it would be well to obtain the barrack supply from the water works.

Water derived from a remote and secluded source must always be preferable to that obtained in the immediate neighbourhood of a large town.

Washing of clothes takes place along the courses of the nullas below the intakes. A very bad smell is caused by the putrefaction of the soap-suds in the shallow pools. As I have stated in my general report the remedy for this, is the provision of public laundries. It seems probable that the Victoria barracks nulla, may to some extent be the cause of the inferiority of the health of the troops quartered in them, to that of the troops stationed in the other barracks. The Victoria barrack nulla has only been regulated for a very short distance above the Queen's Road Bridge, whilst that near Murray barracks is provided with a substantial masonry invert and sides, as far as the inland extremity of

the barracks.

These nullas serve not only as channels for storm water, but to some extent as subsoil drains also. The moisture in the surrounding land comes to the surface in their beds and sides in the form of springs.

Now the out-crop of sub-soil water, or even its near approach to the surface is a condition favourable to the development of malarious poison.

Coupled with evaporation from more or less stagnant pools, with the emanations from vegetable and other refuse, this makes the nulla a damp unwholesome place and a probable source of disease.

To remedy this state of things and drain off the sub-soil water, before its appearance at the surface I would propose that the Victoria Barracks nulla, should be treated in the manner suggested by Colonel Papillon, R. E., as follows:-The rough boulders in the bed should be broken up, and the rubble resulting from this should be hand-packed so as to bring the bed to a somewhat regular section.

STONES-

CONCE

·ROUGH STONE

DRAIN

Down the axis of the nulla a rough stone drain should be constructed, and the whole should be covered with a smooth layer or crust of concrete.

Any sub-soil water cropping out from the sides of the nulla would find its way through the dry rubble to the central drain.

Above the concrete sides the ground should be cleared, trinmed, and sloped.

There does not seem to be any positive proof that disease has been produced among the troops by the Chinese houses in Canton Bazaar and other lots in the immediate neighbourhood etched in black on plan.

Nevertheless their presence is decidedly objectionable, for in them all the usual defects of Hong Kong dwelling-houses are to be found; over crowding, want of open space, bad drainage and general dirt. They are at any moment liable to become foci of epidemic disease. Even if no direct injury to health can be traced to these houses, still the presence of civil buildings interspersed amongst barracks is objectionable on the ground of good order and discipline. Imperfectly fenced off from the barracks these houses afford facilities for the commission of irregularities, such as the introduction of liquor which cannot fail to be detrimental to the health of the troops.

If the military are to remain in their present position, the best plan will be the purchase of the whole of the lots marked black, by the War Department. Additional accommodation is required for the troops, some of whom are now occupying civil build. ings, for which an annual rental of 2,2001. is paid, and which are not suitable for the purpose to which they are applied. The saving that would be effected by doing away

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

ow that the great tidal wave General apidly up the wide deep chan- result of ob-

w Lymoon Pass and compara-

land. Consequently it is high it of Green Island than in the

ulphur Channel north-easterly harbour, and forming an eddy e, on the other hand, a current hur Channel.

servations.

outfalls is briefly and roughly Practical' Dint during rising tide would bearing of

results on

ore seen. During the falling question of se Point would be swept down outfall.

+

e rising tide would be carried would hang about in the eddy t away back through Sulphur phur Channel would be carried appreciable amount be carried Bone nuisance might be caused :he reclamations which are in

OSBERT CHADWICK.

C.O. 882