740
2. The Committee has given to the letter of the Permanent Committee of the Sanitary Board, dated 29th June, 1894, (copy of which is attached,) * its fullest and most careful consideration, and is glad to find itself generally in accord with the recommendations contained therein.
3. In the letter it is proposed to take those recommendations seriatim, and either express concurrence therewith or explain the reasons for dissent.
4. Para. II, Section (a).—“That no basement shall, under any circumstances, be occupied as a dwelling.”
The Committee is of opinion that:--
(1) No part of a building being of the nature of a cellar should be used either for human habitation or as a shop,
(2) No apartment on which the ground abuts on 3 sides should be used as a dwelling house even for caretakers.
(3) No apartment on which the ground abuts on two sides should be used as a dwelling house, though it might be used as a shop, in which case one or two caretakers might be allowed to remain in it at night. There would, however, always be a danger of more residents being introduced than are contemplated above.
(4) As regards other apartments the Committee was not unanimous. Mr. JACKSON, the Acting Director of Public Works, and the Chairman were of opinion that, under-ground apartments being highly objectionable, an apartment abutting in whole or in part against the ground on one side should not be used as a dwelling house, though, as in case 3, it might be used as a shop, in which one or two caretakers might sleep at night.
Mr. TURNER considered that there was no objection to an apartment abutting against the ground on one side only being used as a dwelling house, where it would be excepted from the operation of Section 59 of the Public Health Ordinance as under,
“In the case of land obtained from the Crown before the passing of this Ordinance every person, who shall erect any new building on a site which has been excavated out of a slope or declivity, shall leave a clear intervening space or area of at least four feet between such new building along its whole extent and the toe of the slope of the hill-side, unless such building is situated at the intersection of two streets, and the basement story thereof is properly ventilated from both streets.”
Dr. Ho KAI was of opinion that an apartment abutting against the ground on one side only might be used as a dwelling house in any case.
The Committee unanimously recommends that in no case should a basement be used for purposes of human habitation unless it opens along the whole extent of its frontage on to a street or lane at least 12 feet in width.
Section (b).—The Committee considers the restriction of shops to public streets 25 feet at least in width is unnecessarily severe and recommends restriction to streets of 15 feet and upwards, whether public or private, there being in its opinion no reason why shops should not be permitted in the latter, if of required width.
Section (c).—The Committee is of opinion that the ground floor of every building (whether in a basement or otherwise) should be formed of material impervious to gas and water, and of approved thickness, (taking into consideration the nature of the material used), and that no such ground floor should be occupied unless and until the floor thereof has been made so impervious, except where the Government may deem it necessary to permit the temporary occupation of houses under certain conditions.
This exception is considered necessary, as it would be unwise to render temporary occupation of houses not strictly in accordance with the above provision illegal in a crisis such as the present.
* See above.
Section (d).—The Committee agrees with the provisions for the prevention of overcrowding.
It considers that each adult should have at least 21 square feet of superficial area, and 300 (not 200 which is believed to be a misprint) cubic feet of air space.
Section (e).—The Committee quite approves of insisting on compliance with the law as regards mezzanine floors, and removing such as are in contravention of the Ordinance.
It also agrees with the Permanent Committee in recommending that no mezzanine floor be permitted in any room in which there are cubicles.
Section (f).—The Committee is of opinion that,
(1) The height of the cubicle should never exceed two-thirds of the height of the room, and the amount of space left above it should never be less than 4 feet, the measurements being taken from floor to ceiling, and on the top floor to half the height of the gable in cases in which there is no ceiling over such floor.
(2) The space left above the cubicle should be open, or, if closed, closed only with wire netting, this being cheap enough for the purpose, and evidently much more desirable than lattice work, which must necessarily exclude a large portion of both light and air, besides being very inflammable, and affording a lodgment to much dust and filth.
(3) No partition more than 8 feet in height should be allowed in any room, unless each of the portions into which the room is divided by such partition has direct communication with external light and air by means of a window. In this latter case, the partition may, if desired, be carried up to the ceiling or roof.
Section (g).—Vide supra, section (e).
As regards the recommendation of the Permanent Committee regarding periodical visits, the Committee recommends, that, as regards the houses of the poorer and coolie classes of Chinese, and the outhouses, and servants' quarters of all dwellings, there be a monthly inspection and cleaning.* As regards the houses of Europeans and of the better class of Chinese, the Committee considers that an occasional inspection, at the discretion of the Sanitary Board, would be sufficient.
The inspection should, it considers, follow a notice served 48 hours previously, thus giving the inmates time to make all necessary arrangements, and put their houses in order before the inspection is made. If this were done, the objection of the Chinese to intrusion on their privacy would be much modified. The Committee is fully aware of the large expenditure of labour that will be required if visits be made monthly, but is of opinion that the results would be so desirable that a strong effort should be made to carry out the recommendation.
It would suggest that the services of the Police might perhaps be availed of on these occasions, the members of the Force employed receiving some addition to their ordinary pay. With the above provision for cleanliness, to which the Committee attach the utmost importance, the limewashing of houses might, it considers, be confined to such buildings as may appear from time to time to the Sanitary authorities to require it.
5. Paragraphs IV, V, & VI.—The Committee is decidedly of opinion,
(a) That scavenging lanes (not less than 6 feet wide) are most desirable. †
(b) That underground house-drains, wherever and whenever avoidable, should not be allowed in Chinese houses.
As regards (a), information is being collected as to the number of blocks of existing houses in which, by reasonable structural alterations, a scavenging lane could be constructed. This information when complete, will be forwarded for His Excellency's consideration.
* Mr. TURNER is of opinion that a quarterly inspection and cleaning would suffice.
† Mr. TURNER considers that there are comparatively few cases in which they are practicable.
740
2. The Committee has given to the letter of the Permanent Committee of the Sanitary Board, dated 29th June, 1894, (copy of which is attached,) * its fullest and most careful consideration, and is glad to find itself generally in accord with the recommendations contained therein.
3. In the letter it is proposed to take those recommendations seriatim, and either express concurrence therewith or explain the reasons for dissent.
4. Para. II, Section (a).—"That no basement shall, under any circumstances, be occupied as a dwelling.”
The Committee is of opinion that :--
(1) No part of a building being of the nature of a cellar should be used
either for human habitation or as a shop,
(2) No apartment on which the ground abuts on 3 sides should be used
as a dwelling house even for caretakers.
(3) No apartment on which the ground abuts on two sides should be used as a dwelling house, though it might be used as a shop, in which case one or two caretakers might be allowed to remain in it at night. There would, however, always be a danger of more residents being introduced than are contemplated above.
(4) As regards other apartments the Committee was not unanimous. Mr. JACKSON, the Acting Director of Public Works, and the Chairman were of opinion that, under-ground apartments being highly objectionable, an apartment abutting in whole or in part against the ground on one side should not be used as a dwelling house, though, as in case 3, it might be used as a shop, in which one or two caretakers might sleep at night.
Mr. TURNER considered that there was no objection to an apartment abutting against the ground on one side only being used as a dwelling house, where it would be excepted from the operation of Section 59 of the Public Health Ordinance as under,-
C
"In the case of land obtained from the Crown before the passing of this "Ordinance every person, who shall erect any new building on a site which has "been excavated out of a slope or declivity, shall leave a clear intervening space or "area of at least four feet between such new building along its whole extent and 'the toe of the slope of the hill-side, unless such building is situated at the inter- "section of two streets, and the basement story thereof is properly ventilated from "both streets.'
Dr. Ho KAI was of opinion that an apartment abutting against the ground on one side only might be used as a dwelling house in any case.
The Committee unanimously recommends that in no case should a basement be used for purposes of human habitation unless it opens along the whole extent of its frontage on to a street or lane at least 12 feet in width.
Section (b).-The Committee considers the restriction of shops to public streets 25 feet at least in width is unnecessarily severe and recommends restriction to streets of 15 feet and upwards, whether public or private, there being in its opinion no reason why shops should not be permitted in the latter, if of required width.
Section (c).-The Committee is of opinion that the ground floor of every building (whether in a basement or otherwise) should be formed of material imper- vious to gas and water, and of approved thickness, (taking into consideration the nature of the material used), and that no such ground floor should be occupied unless and until the floor thereof has been made so impervious, except where the Government may deem it necessary to permit the temporary occupation of houses under certain conditions.
This exception is considered necessary, as it would be unwise to render tem- porary occupation of houses not strictly in accordance with the above provision illegal in a crisis such as the present.
* See above,
Section (d).-The Committee agrees with the provisions for the prevention of overcrowding.
It considers that each adult should have at least 21 square feet of superficial area, and 300 (not 200 which is believed to be a misprint) cubic fect of air space. Section (e).—The Committee quite approves of insisting on compliance with the law as regards mezzanine floors, and removing such as are in contravention of the Ordinance.
It also agrees with the Permanent Committee in recommending that no mezzanine floor be permitted in any room in which there are cubicles.
Section (f).-The Committee is of opinion that,
(1) The height of the cubicle should never exceed two thirds of the height of the room, and the amount of space left above it should never be less than 4 feet, the measurements being taken from floor to ceiling, and on the top floor to half the height of the gable in cases in which there is no ceiling over such floor.
(2) The
space left above the cubicle should be open, or, if closed, closed only with wire netting, this being cheap enough for the purpose, and evidently much more desirable than lattice work, which must necessarily exclude a large portion of both light and air, besides being very inflammable, and affording a lodgment to much dust and filth.
(3) No partition more than 8 feet in height should be allowed in any room, unless each of the portions into which the room is divided by such partition has direct communication with external light and air by means of a window. In this latter case, the partition may, if desired, be carried up to the ceiling or roof.
Section (g).Vide supra, section (e). As regards the recommendation of the Permanent Committee regarding periodical visits, the Committee recommends, that, as regards the houses of the poorer and coolie classes of Chinese, and the outhouses, and servants' quarters of all dwellings, there be a monthly inspection and cleaning.* As regards the houses of Europeans and of the better class of Chinese, the Committee considers that an occasional inspection, at the discretion of the Sanitary Board, would be sufficient.
The inspection should, it considers, follow a notice served 48 hours previously, thus giving the inmates time to make all necessary arrangements, and put their houses in order before the inspection is made. If this were done, the objection of the Chinese to intrusion on their privacy would be much modified. The Committee is fully aware of the large expenditure of labour that will be required if visits be made monthly, but is of opinion that the results would be so desirable that a strong effort should be made to carry out the recommendation.
It would suggest that the services of the Police might perhaps be availed of on these occasions, the members of the Force employed receiving some addition to their ordinary pay. With the above provision for cleanliness, to which the Com- mittee attach the utmost importance, the limewashing of houses might, it considers, be confined to such buildings as may appear from time to time to the Sanitary authorities to require it.
5. Paragraphs IV, V, & VI.—The Committee is decidedly of opinion,-----
(a) That scavenging lanes (not less than 6 feet wide) are most desirable. †
(b) That underground house-drains, wherever and whenever avoidable,
should not be allowed in Chinese houses.
As regards (a), information is being collected as to the number of blocks of existing houses in which, by reasonable structural alterations, a scavenging lane could be constructed. This information when complete, will be forwarded for His Excelleney's consideration.
* Mr. TURNER is of opinion that a quarterly inspection and cleaning would suffice,
+ Mr. TURNER considers that there are comparatively few cases in which they are practicable.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.