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with hired barracks together with the sums obtained by the sale of the detached portions of War Department property, Spring gardens and Brook cottage would greatly reduce the cost of the purchase, and the remaining expenditure, would be amply justified by the advantages gained.

Should this purchase be impossible, then I would suggest that a complete separation should be made of War Department from civil property. An alley should be made along the boundary, at the backs of the houses, the War Department ceding any land that might be required for the purpose. The alley when formed and properly paved, should be handed over to the civil government, with an understanding that they should scavenge it, and maintain it unobstructed, as a public thoroughfare, authority will then cease.

All division of The Commanding Royal Engineer is preparing estimates for the work.

The sanitary condition of these houses should be improved in the manner described in the general report. No better place could be found for the first application of sanitary improvements to dwellings, and to the remedy of defects which have been described in the general report. The work should be done, here at least, at public expense. The local experience acquired in the complete sanitary improvement of one or more blocks, will amply repay the expense of the work. It is worthy of consideration also, whether, provisionally at least, these blocks might not be placed under special regulations compensating the owners, if necessary, for disturbance of vested

interests.

The consideration of the question of removing the troops to a site on the east of the town does not perhaps form part of my duty. I may, however, be permitted to record an opinion that the proposed site does not appear to offer any considerable sanitary advantages. It is subject to the general disadvantages that it is under the lee of the mountain during the south-west monsoon, and therefore, like the rest of the town, close and oreezeless during the hot season. It is also intersected with deep, damp, and rugged

ravines.

If the troops are to be moved the best position for them would, in my opinion, be on the Kowloon Peninsula, where there is more room and air. The malaria evolved by movement of the soil would be an evil common to both sites, and would after a time disappear. Careful subsoil drainage and sewerage would prevent any subsequent production of malaria.

There can be little doubt that Kowloon is more airy and cool than Hong Kong, and there would be more space for drill and recreation, both important factors in the health of troops.

To the Crown Agents for

the Colonies.

I have, &c. (Signed) OSBERT CHADWICK,

1

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference:

C.O. 882

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

by the sale of the detached portions ook cottage would greatly reduce iture, would be amply justified by

uggest that a complete separation perty. An alley should be made War Department ceding any land when formed and properly paved, an understanding that they should ›lic thoroughfare. All division of Engineer is preparing estimates for mproved in the manner described and for the first application of edy of defects which have been be done, here at least, at public lete sanitary improvement of one ork. It is worthy of consideration ight not be placed under special ry, for disturbance of vested

roops to a site on the east of the ', however, be permitted to record

o offer any considerable sanitary that it is under the lee of the , like the rest of the town, close and ed with deep, damp, and rugged

hem would, in my opinion, be on nd air. The malaria evolved by >th sites, and would after a time would prevent any subsequent

y and cool than Hong Kong, and th important factors in the health

I have, &c.

¡igned)

OSBERT CHADWICK,

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

TIT

Reference :-

C.O. 882

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

PUBLIC

RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

WILLIAN SPOTTISWOOPE,

Xxonllent Majesty. Souery Office.

1/98.]