CO129-316 - Governor Sir Blake - 1903 [1-4] — Page 302

nclosure 2

closure 1.

2th June, 1902.

236

294

compound are in all their parts ancient and antiquated. The

Mortuary in Hongkong cannot be compared with the rudest of

Pathological Departments in Europe. The work carried on under

present conditions is highly dangerous to life, and cannot be

carried on without considerable risk. During the Plague season

the accommodation inside the building is quite inadequate, and

the bodies have to be deposited at random over the surface of

the compound, in the open.

3.

I enclose a copy of Dr. Hunter's original

memorandum of 12th. June last. A few of the recommendations

therein contained have since undergone slight modification,

but the requirements are substantially the same as those to

which he drew attention in that memorandum.

4.

I transmit herewith two plans for the

proposed extension. The estimated cost of all the new buildings

shown is $16,000 including drainage, tiles for lining the

walls and floors, sinks etc. This amount does not however

include the special tables and fittings required by the

Bacteriologist, the cost of which have not yet been accurately

ascertained. When the new buildings shown on the plans have

been completed it is proposed to reconstruct the existing

Mortuary building, making it correspond with the new one. The

estimated cost of this is 5,000. The total cost of the scheme,

therefore, exclusive of fittings, will be $21,000. Probably

not more than $12,000 if so much, could be actually expended

by the Public Works Department this year.

5.

In view of the urgency of this work I

have the honour to request your authority for its commenc en ent

this