CO129-404 - Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1913 [10-12] — Page 26

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6.

The establishment of a completely isolated

Quarantine Station at Hongkong would not present any great

difficulty, but as I have already suggested the cost of erection and maintenance should not fall on this Government except to a limited extent. I agree with Dr. Johnson that the

station

at Lai Chi Kok which is at present occupied by an Indian Regiment, would not be suitable. The best place for such a station in my opinion would be the island of Larma, which lies to the South of Hongkong. There are several good sites on the island protected from the North-East

fast and

and South-West

West monsoons within easy distance of Victoria. An ample water supply could be provided at no great expense, and there is a safe anchorage for the largest vessels.

There are very few inhabitants on the island and it would probably

be unnecessary to disturb them except in the vicinity of the

station. It would of course be necessary to ascertain by careful

investigation that the island is free from mosquitoes of a harmful

nature and malaria. Dr. Johnson is inclined to think that Lama is

too large an island for a quarantine station, and that it is too

close to Hongkong, but I do not think that these objections out-

-weigh the advantages which it possesses. It is broken up by

comparatively high hills, which would act as natural barriers, and

I quoted to him the case of Pulau Jerejak at Penang where a

quarantine station of great size, and a leper settlement are with-

-in a mile of each other.

7.

The investigations to be undertaken with a view to ascertaining whether Stegomyia fasciata is present in this Colony and whether stegomyia scutellaris carries the disease of

will be

Yellow fever or not, are now proceeding and a report

furnished as soon as possible.

te

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your most/obedient,

obeda

humble bervant,

ClaudSevern

A

Officer Administering the Government.

stak

Ind