M 5
# DISEASES.
The incidence of plague was very light, but as regards the other notifiable infectious diseases the incidence was much the same as in 1914, with the exceptions that there were 201 cases of typhoid and paratyphoid fevers reported as against 148, and 34 cases of small-pox as against 110 in 1914.
For the first time as far as is known a case of typhus fever was notified, but the case was obviously imported from Canton.
Another rare disease in this Colony, namely, relapsing fever, occurred to the extent of 7 cases.
There was a slight increase in malarial fever as compared with the previous two years, but the average annual death-rate from this disease is lower for the 5 years ending 31st December, 1915 than for the 5 years ending 31st December, 1914, and only 65.6 per cent. of the average rate for the 5 years ending 31st December, 1910.
The Colony was fortunate in being rid of rabies and hydrophobia during the year.
# SCAVENGING.
The steady growth of new houses and streets made it necessary to increase the staff of scavenging coolies by a further 15 men. Towards the end of the year the private arrangements of the Tai Hang cow-keepers for the removal of the manure from their sheds broke down completely and the work had to be undertaken by the Department, a collective fee of $70 per month being recovered for the service. At the same time the Department arranged to supply the Botanical and Forestry Department with manure from the Kennedy Town Depôts in place of that formerly purchased from Tai Hang. It is to be regretted that several tons of good fertiliser have daily to be thrown into the sea for lack of a market.
The cost of the scavenging of the City of Victoria was $49,183.81 and of Kowloon $14,433.25.
Provision was made in the Estimates for the year for the purchase from England of one 4-wheeled dust-cart and two more 4-wheeled water-carts; but in view of the rise in prices at home and the need for economy here, the purchase was abandoned for the time being. These items have been placed on the Estimates for 1916.
# REFUSE DISPOSAL.
No change was made in the refuse disposal service.
The barges were unable to put to sea on 5th November owing to the proximity of a typhoon; one of the two launches broke down on 3 occasions. This vessel is very old and her constant demands for repairs form a serious item in the cost of the service. Out of a total expenditure on repairs for all vessels of $3,088.49 this launch cost $1,197.75.
The total cost of the service for the year was $20,020.70.
M 5
DISEASES.
The incidence of plague was very light, but as regards the other notifiable infectious diseases the incidence was much the same as in 1914, with the exceptions that there were 201 cases of typhoid and paratyphoid fevers reported as against 148, and 34 cases of small-pox as against 110 in 1914.
For the first time as far as is known a case of typhus fever was notified, but the case was obviously imported from Canton.
Another rare disease in this Colony, namely, relapsing fever, occurred to the extent of 7 cases.
There was a slight increase in malarial fever as compared with the previous two years, but the average annual death-rate from this disease is lower for the 5 years ending 31st December, 1915 than for the 5 years ending 31st December, 1914, and only 65-6 per cent. of the average rate for the 5 years ending 31st December, 1910.
The Colony was fortunate in being rid of rabies and hydro- phobia during the year.
SCAVENGING.
The steady growth of new houses and streets made it necessary to increase the staff of scavenging coolies by a further 15 men. Towards the end of the year the private arrangements of the Tai Haug cow-keepers for the removal of the manure from their sheds broke down completely and the work had to be undertaken by the Department, a collective fee of $70 per month being recovered for the service. At the same time the Department arranged to supply the Botanical and Forestry Department with manure from the Kennedy Town Depôts in place of that formerly purchased from Tai Hang. It is to be regretted that several tons of good fertiliser have daily to be thrown into the sea for lack of a market.
The cost of the scavenging of the City of Victoria was $49,183.81 and of Kowloon $14.433.25.
Provision was made in the Estimates for the year for the pur- chase from England of one 4-wheeled dust-cart and two more 4-wheeled water-carts; but in view of the rise in prices at home and the need for economy here, the purchase was abandoned for the time being. These items have been placed on the Estimates for 1916.
REFUSE DISPOSAL.
No change was made in the refuse disposal service.
The barges were unable to put to sea on 5th November owing to the proximity of a typhoon one of the two launches broke down on 3 occasions. This vessel is very old and her constant demands. for repairs form a serious item in the cost of the service. Out of a total expenditure on repairs for all vessels of $3,088.49 this launch cost $1,197.75.
The total cost of the service for the year was $20,020,70.
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