1887-1903
COLONIAL REPORTS--ANNUAL.
27
serious outbreak in the spring, and of the 1,320 cases reported 1,175 proved fatal. This represents a mortality of 88.1 per cent. There was also an outbreak of small-pox. From enteric fever the total deaths numbered 23, which represents a mortality of 44.2 per cent. The mortality among the European cases was 35.1 per cent.
(C.) SANITATION.
Sanitary conditions are still far from perfect, and the Government recognises that sanitation is one of the most important matters that can engage its attention. There has been an improvement during the past four or five years, owing to a strict enforcement of the Public Health Ordinance (No. 24 of 1887) and the Insanitary Properties Ordinance (No. 15 of 1894). But this improvement cannot be said to be universal, and it is to be feared that many of the Chinese dwellings in the city are structurally in a very insanitary condition. There was an Insanitary Properties Commission appointed during the year,
and as a result of its enquiries a number of recommendations were submitted to the Government. These recommendations, together with amendments suggested by the Board, will be embodied in a Bill which, when it becomes law, will probably do much for the amelioration of the present unsatisfactory state of affairs.
It has recently been proposed to erect a refuse destructor of the type now common in many English cities, whereby the town refuse may be destroyed in forced draught furnaces instead of being conveyed to dumping grounds as at present. Estimates have been received from two English firms, and the Government hopes to find an early opportunity of giving this matter the attention which it deserves.
(D.) CLIMATE.
1. Rainfall. The total rainfall for the year was 57.025 inches. In 1897 it was 100.3. The wettest months were June (14.25 inches) and August (9.9 inches). The driest month was December, with 0.025 inches. The greatest rainfall on any day was that on August 25th (2.585 inches). On 213 days there was no rain. The relative humidity of the atmosphere throughout the year was 74.6 per cent.; December was lowest with 52 per cent., May and June were highest with 83 per cent.
The average daily sunshine throughout the year was 5.8 hours, as compared with 4.78 in 1897. On 41 days only no sunshine was recorded.
207
1887-1903
COLONIAL REPORTS- -ANNUAL.
27
serious outbreak in the spring, and of the 1,320 cases reported 1,175 proved fatal. This represents a mortality of 88.1 per cent. There was also an outbreak of small-pox. From enteric fever the total deaths numbered 23, which represents a mortality of 44.2 per cent. The mortality among the European cases was 35.1 per cent.
(C.) SANITATION.
Sanitary conditions are still far from perfect, and the Govern- ment recognises that sanitation is one of the most important matters that can engage its attention. There has been an improvement during the past four or five years, owing to a strict enforcement of the Public Health Ordinance (No. 24 of 1887) and the Insanitary Properties Ordinance (No. 15 of 1894). But this improvement cannot be said to be universal, and it is to be feared that many of the Chinese dwellings in the city are structurally in a very insanitary condition. There was an Insani- tary Properties Commission appointed during the year,
and as a result of its enquiries a number of recommendations were submitted to the Government. These recommendations, together with amendments suggested by the Board, will be embodied in a Bill which, when it becomes law, will probably do much for the amelioration of the present unsatisfactory state of affairs.
It has recently been proposed to erect a refuse destructor of the type now common in many English cities, whereby the town refuse may be destroyed in forced draught furnaces instead of being conveyed to dumping grounds as at present. Estimates have been received from two English firms, and the Government hopes to find an early opportunity of giving this matter the attention which it deserves.
(D.) CLIMATE.
1. Ruanfall. The total rainfall for the year was 57-025 inches. In 1897 it was 100u3. The wettest months were June (14-25 inches) and August (9.9 inches). The driest month was December, with 0·025 inches. The greatest rainfall on any day was that on August 25th (2·585 inches). On 213 days there was no rain. The relative humidity of the atmosphere throughout the year was 74-6 per cent.; December was lowest with 52 per cent., May and June were highest with 83 per cent.
The average
com-
daily sunshine throughout the year was 58 hours, as pared with 4.78 in 1897. On 41 days only no sunshine was recorded.
207
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