CO129-264 - Governor Sir Robinson & Public Offices - 1894 [9-12] — Page 160

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giving an opinion on the subject as most people, I wish that the hon. member had gone farther, who, though not qualified to speak as experts, I should like to see that principle extended so that have been in and out of the houses when the we should gat not only sound actrice but the very plague was on, and not after the woodwork had best advice it is possible for us to get. I do not been torn down, the houses been cleaned out and think any local commission. any commission whitewashed, and the place transformed into what which can be found locally, will be of the Mr. Granville Sharp night call a Garden of the slightest use; we have had opinions galore Hesperides, and of which he might say "Why given here. But I think I am right in saying destroy these beautiful houses which have as that sanitary scienos is a speciality of twa maoh light as the Crystal Palace P" I should professions, the medical and engineering, and say that if they want to know what a house is I do not wish it to be understood, very far like they should see it inhabited, when the win- from it, that I desire to imply anything de dows are blooked no, and the place is full of dust rogatory to the local ability of this colony when and dirt and refuse. When the Commission is I say that I do not think it does possess the appointed wa cannot have on it the Colonial best opinion the colony could have. The learned Surgeon, nor the Military medical adviser, nor Attorney-General, at the first reading, said that the aval medical adviser, nor Dr. James, nor the Government was in possession of the best Mr. Turner, nor Mr. Leigh; we can simply have evidence at its disposal. That may be. I dare say on it those, Sír. who have an opinion contrary to it is, and in fact I am sure it must be, bat the persons composing the two committees, the what wo want is not any more evidence on Housing Committee and the Permanent Commit it bat the verdict of capable men on that tee. I must say the Committee which I have evidence. The same men gave the evidence the honour to preside over-the Housing Com and also the verdict. It was not evidence mittee-approached the subject of the demolition really bat opinion, sud the opinion they or of Taipingshan with the greatest reluctance and pressed was that this area should be barat not at all with the eagerness which the remarks down. But I venture to doubt in my own of my friend on the right (Hon. A. McConachie) wind whether all these gentlemen or any of would seem to imply. One of the senior mem them were as capable of forming an opinion bers of the Committee prefaced his remarks at as men who can be got specially for the par- one of its meetings by saying that we must pose. The total demolition of Taipingshan certainly not recommend the destruction of would in all human probability prevent a recar- Taipingshan unless it was found to be absolu. | rence of the plague, but it seems to ras that tely necessary. After hearing all the evid-it might have the appearance, if the Conueil will ence of the architects, and doctors, and members excuse the simile, of cutting of a man's arm of the Committee generally, he was one of the above the elbow becass he had a dislocated fia- first to say that there was no help for it but ger. It is a very effectivo plau, but is there not the destruction of Taipingsban. At the same a plan equally good which is less drastic and less time I am quite willing to grant that the Bil expensive? Therefor, I think it would be wortk as it stands does not compel the Government the colony's while if we coull gat experts, really to destroy Taipingshan either in whole or in sanitary experts, from India or elsewhere, a part, and if botwe«u now and the time when the may he thought bast, who would listen to the decision has to be given it should appear from evidence given by the people who have made s any evidence which may hereafter be given to point of saving here what they have to say, and the Government, that there is no neo-ssity for theo give the Government the best advics which destroying Taipingshan I am sure the Council could be given. These men, I would suggest, may rest assured that the Government will not if I may be allowed to, should be placed in the rush blindly into destruction. I very much position of Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the doubt, i must say, whether such evidence en be| Committee of "fit and proper persons" or of the given. I do not think that I have anything Commission which has been proposed by the hon. further to add except that I would strongly member. If the motion proposed by the hop. arge the members of this Council to recollect member is pressed. I am afraid it is not of much the very critical state of the colony only a very short time ago, and th- fact that at that time there was no voice aprained nor pen pot to paper to advise half measures or dilatoriness in dealing with that part of the city which had supplied 50 per cent. of the victims to the plague.

The ARBOUR MASTER-I am glad. sir, that your Excellency has allowed this question not to be a Goverment one because I am enabled to er press my concurrenes with the principle brought forward by the hoa, mover of the motion that the Government should get sound advice before act- ing on the Taipingahau Besumption Ordinancs.

s For the reasons I have stated I would not be able to vote with him for a local commission because I think it would be simply time and money wasted. But if we can get a really expert commission to come and give their opinion it would b, well worth the expenditure of money which would be necessary.

Hon. Họ Kar-I am always onwilling to speak or vote against my nuofficial colleagues. but in the present case I feel it my bounden duty to do so. I shall be very short inasmuch as I baen said I am very unwilling to do so. Sir, the subject matter of discussion is the destrus-