1841-1886
231
STATE OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS. 369
35. In that report I have not much to notice, save that the colonial surgeon seems to be unaware that much has been done during the past year to improve the sanitary condition of the city. Tanks to ensure a proper supply of water are nearly completed, Captain Cowper is engaged in a thorough revision of the sewerage and drainage, and an ordinance to regulate buildings and suppress nuisances has recently passed the legislative council.
36. Another ordinance on the subject of health has been referred to the Home Government, and this important matter is receiving every attention.
37. It is satisfactory to find that, notwithstanding the large increase of the population, the past year is pronounced very healthy for foreigners, and I do not find that the colonial surgeon states it to have been more fatal than its predecessors to the Chinese inhabitants; and on communication with the superintendent of police I am confirmed in my belief that there has been no special mortality beyond what increased population will account for; and, further, that this city is not considered by the Chinese more inimical to health than the towns of the mainland.
38. The civil hospital should be enlarged, and measures to effect this are in course of adoption.
39. There is one point that I wish to take this special opportunity of bringing to your Excellency's notice. The numerical strength, construction, and several duties of the Government departments.
40. The Colonial Secretary's office should be relieved of various duties accidentally but unavoidably imposed upon it. The harbour master should act as registrar of shipping, and should perform the various details required in other places from the regular custom house officer, such as giving certificates of the landing of goods, &c. which have been required during the war, and are given by the colonial secretary on the oath of those applying.
41. The emigration business I have already suggested, should go to an assistant harbour master, an officer who would relieve the harbour master of certain of his duties.
42. There seems to be some lack of knowledge in the harbour master's department of the shipping in the harbour and the particulars connected with them.
43. The Treasury and Audit Office should be relieved from all care of and control over the monies and financial concerns of the superintendency and consulates.
44. The shrievalty should be severed from the magistracy, and a different arrangement made for the performance of the duties of coroner.
45. The gaol staff requires reorganization, and the immediate head of that establishment should be of a higher class than gaoler, say one officer with the customary title of governor of the gaol, and emoluments according.
46. But these propositions and some other similar have, if I recollect rightly, been already made, and will receive every attention from your Excellency and the Home Government.
47. One subject more occurs to me, and that is the position of the servants of government as to pay and retiring pension.
48. With more inducement in the form of either, and especially the latter, I am of opinion that the departments might be better served.
49. The pay is a matter of colonial consideration, and a question here of ways and means, but the pension concerns the Imperial Government, and I remark that in all acts and regulations on the subject of superannuation the colonial service of Hong Kong, where the health of the government officers is comparatively exposed to much danger, and where the casualties among them have been so many and so fatal, is placed on no better footing than the service at home, in the possession of a bracing and temperate climate, surrounded by every luxury and every convenience for the prolongation and enjoyment of life.
50. I foresee in the course of the current year several changes in the various offices of government, and upon the future efficiency of the service; even the promise that this subject shall receive consideration from Her Majesty's Government will have a beneficial effect.
51. I would notice another point before concluding,
52. I have said that the expenses of the colony will rise with its prosperity; I add that the increased revenue will not suffice for the many improvements advisable.
Page 250
Page 251
1841-1886
231
STATE OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS. 369
35. In that report I have not much to notice, save that the colonial, surgeon seems to be unaware that much has been done during the past year to improve the sanitary condition of the city. Tanks to ensure a proper supply of water are nearly completed, Captain Cowper is engaged in a thorough revision of the sewerage and drainage, and an ordinance to regulate buildings and suppress nuisances has recently passed the legislative council.
|_ 36. Another ordinance on the subject of health has been referred to the Home Government, and this important matter is receiving every attention.
37. It is satisfactory to find that, notwithstanding the large increase of the population, the past year is pronounced very healthy for foreigners, and I do not find that the colonial surgeon states it to have been more fatal than its predecessors to the Chinese inhabitants; and on communication with the. superintendent of police I am confirmed in my belief that there has been no special mortality beyond what increased population will account (for; and, further, that this city is not considered by the Chinese more inimical to health than the towns of the main land.
$
*
38. The civil hospital should be enlarged, and measures to effect this are in course of adoption.
39. There is one point that I wish to take this special opportunity of bringing to your Excellency's notice. The numerical strength, construction, and several duties of the Government departments.
40. The Colonial Secretary's office should be relieved of various duties accidentally but unavoidably imposed upon it. The harbour master should act as registrar of shipping, and should perform the various details required in other places from the regular custom house officer, such as giving certificates of the landing of goods, &c. which have been required during the war, and are given by the colonial secretary on the oath of those applying.
.41. The emigration business I have already suggested, should go to an assistant harbour master, an officer who would relieve the harbour master of certain of his duties.
42. There seems to be some lack of knowledge in the harbour master's department of the shipping in the harbour and the particulars connected with them.
43. The Treasury and Audit Office should be relieved from all care of and control over the monies and financial concerns of the superintendency and consulates.
*
44. The shrievalty should be severed from the magistracy, and a different arrangement made for the performance of the duties of coroner.
45. The gaol staff requires reorganization, and the immediate head of that establishment should be of a higher class than gaoler, say one officer with the customary title of governor of the gaol, and emoluments according.
D
46. But these propositions and some other similar have, if I recollect rightly, been already made, and will receive every attention from your Excellency and the Home Government.
47. One subject more occurs to me, and that is the position of the servants of government as to pay and retiring pension.
48. With more inducement in the form of either, and especially the latter, I am of opinion that the departments might be better served.
49. The pay is a matter of colonial consideration, and a question here of ways and means, but the pension concerns the Imperial Government, and I remark that in all acts and regulations on the subject of superannuation the colonial service of Hong Kong, where the health of the government officers is compara- tively exposed to much danger, and where the casualties among them have been so many and so fatal, is placed on no better footing than the service at home, in the possession of a bracing and temperate climate, surrounded by every luxury and every convenience for the prolongation and enjoyment of life.
50. I foresee in the course of the current year several changes in the various offices of government, and upon the future efficiency of the service; even the promise that this subject shall receive consideration from Her Majesty's Govern- ment will have a beneficial effect.
51. I would notice another point before concluding,
52. I have said that the expenses of the colony will rise with its prosperity; "I add that the increased revenue will not suffice for the many improvements
advisable.
Page 250Page 251
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