CO129-299 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [5-6] — Page 304

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Enclosure 1.

C.O.

300

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Mimite

ctor of Public Works.

Hon. Colonial Secretary.

Mr.Drury promised to give me before he left, a complete plan and Estimates for an underground latrine, in the most suitable site he could find, selected by himself. This he failed to do, and I regret to say it escaped my memory; he had some plan in hand, but none of them were finished, nor were any definite Estimates of cost prepared.

I must say I do not think the scheme practicable:

At the lower levels, where latrine are most needed, the difficulty

of keeping out water, and of draining the buildings,would I

be

fear insurmountable. At the higher levels, subsoil water would

A

give much trouble, and the excavations would probably be in

rock or boulders and therefore very costly. Ventilation would

be a difficulty, and I do not think Hongkong has yet reached the state, when latrines, aired and ventilated by Electric Fans driven by special motors, could be seriously entertained.

I understand the Medical Officer of Health has re- ported in a separate paper to you regarding the value of night soil.

(Sd.) R.D. Crusby,

Director of Public Works.

22/5/1900.

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