1918-05-24 — Page 2

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HONGKONG

LEGISLATIVE

COUNCIL

QUESTIONS BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS.

THE RACECOURSE DISASTER? HOSPITAJ ACCOMMODATION.

A meeting of the Hongkong Legislative Council was held yesterday afternoon at the Council Chamber,

The following were present:--

PUBLIC BAFETY AT PLACES OF AMUSEMENT. The Hon. Mr. LAU CHU PAK naked:-- Will the Government make arrange- ments to have all the permanent publio places of amusement periodically ex- amined as to their stability, and the adequacy or otherwise of the provision of üle-exits and fire-extinguishing appli. ances i

Will the Government state what condi. tions they propose to impose to ensure the safety of the public in the case of

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR, Sin temporary structures used as public FRANCIS HENRY MAY, K.C.M.G.

HIS EXOLLANDY MAJOR-GENERAL F VENTRIS (General Officer Commanding Troops in China).

places of amasement !

Answers 1. Regulations are alrendy in force under Section 6 of the Theatres Ordinance, 1908, which will be found on

Hon. Mr. CLAUD SEVERN, C.M.C pagus 801 to 812 of the Regulations of (Colonial Secretary).

Hon, Sir PAUL CHATER, C.M.G.

Hon. Mr. E. H. SHAPE, K.G. Hon. Mr. J. H. Krup (Attorney General).

Hongkong, and no revision of these is considered necessary.

2. The condition on which permits for such structures will be issued in future are being revised with a view to ensuring

Hon. Mr. A. M. TROMBON (Colonial the safety of the public Treasurer).

Hon. Mr. E. R. HALLIFAX (Secretary for Chinese Azairs).

Hon Mr. W. CHATHAM, (Director of Public Works)-

HOSPITAL ACCOMMODATION,

The Hon. Mr. P. H. HOLYOAK asked: When did the Victoria Hospital on" C.M.G. Barker Road cense taking in maternity cases? and for what reason was this

Hon. Mr. McI, MESSER (Captain decision come to? Superintendent of Police).

Hon. Mr. H. E. POLLOCK, K.C. Hon. Mr. E. SHELLIM,

Hon. Mr. D. LANDALE.

Hou, Mr. LAU CHU PAL

Hon, Mr. P. H. HOLYDAK. Hon. Mr. Ho Foox.

Answer:-Maternity

cases

were not taken in at the Victoria Hospital after the completion of the maternity bungalow nt the Civil Hospital. This was bout October, 1912. The reason for this deci sion was because it is considered undesir, able to put maternity enses in a general

Mr. A. G. M. FLETCHER (Clark hospital. Councils).

FAPERS.

The COLONIAL SPORETARY, by command of H.E. the Governor, laid upon the talle the Hongkong Jurors' List for 1918, the quarterly returns of excesses op -sub- heads met by savings under heads of penditure for the fourth quarter of 1917 and the bres quarter of 1018, reporte of the Harbour Master and of the Director: of the Royal Observatory, Hongkong, for

passible moment. It is true that during the war the mpatriation of European lunoties is practically impossible but only thico patients are being detained. owing to this cause, and the utmost is done to make the detention as little irksome as possiblo. Sir F. Lugard visited the "Asylum officially in January, 1912, in company with the late Mr. Hewett and Mr. Osborne, Unofficin! Members of the Legislative Coun cil. These gentlemen concurred - () As to European patients that, viewed only as a place of detention, the existing quarters would fulfil their object, subject to certain minor improvements suggested; and that, in viow of the great cost involved and the paucity of pati

ents, it would be unnecessary to consider the question of erecting a new Asylum () As regards Chines patients that, since they were merely temporary inmates awaiting transfer to Canton, the quarters were all that was necessary or desirable.

It is considered that no sufficient grounds exist for reconsidering the decision then arrived at. The Principal Civil Medical Officer has, however, sug gested certain altorations which would improve this existing accommodation, and the Director of Public Works is pre- paring a report on the subject

"THE POST OFFICE AND BANK HOLLWAYS,

(i) Is it the fact that the Coroner, near the close of his charge to the Jury, said as follows:-

"It would appear that this cala.

mity

was one which could most

have been prevented by exercise of foresight, and foresight which one might have reasonably expected before the event and which one certainly found it easy to expect after the event."

(1) Is it the fact that the Jury, in their findings, specified certain neglects and omissions of duly on the part of the Public Works Department and the Police Depart mont.?

(1) Is it the fact that the Jury re- commended the making and en- forcement by the Government of certain classes of regulations for the purpose of minimizing, so far es possible, the risk of a future recurrence of such a disaster? If the answer to the last question is in the armative will the Government take early steps to pass the necessary Regulations, and, in the framing of sach Regulations, will the Government tako especial care to enact that certain definite Officials in the Government Service shall be personally responsible for seeing that such Regulations ore carried out

Will the Government also direct the

early revision and the enforcement of all Regulations relating to the stability and construction of and overorowding in, and fire precautions in, theatre, and other places (including matsheds) of public

entertainment (11)__ and _(19)~The

Answera(1),

auswers are in the affirmative.

Answers and 3. Regulations al- ready exist under Ordinanca No. 10 of 1003 in respet of performances held in The Hon. Mr. P. H. HOLYGAK asked:both permanent and temporary buildings will the Government give instructions considered necessary. As regards matshed the revision of which regulations is not

that the General Post Office shall remain structures other than those used for per- open on all Bank holidays, other than formances mentioned in the Ordinanca the conditione upon which permits will Christmas Day and China Now Year's be issued in future are being revised and

'for day, until 12 o'clock noon the further conditions will be added with a view to preventing as far de possible losa despatch of mails?

of life from fire, without undue inter- Answer-Instructions have been issued ference with the social life of the Chinese

community. accordingly, in respect of all general Why are infectious cases imported into holidays other than Sundays, Christmas

How many infectious cases of disease have been taken into this Hospital during the fortnight ending March 9th! -

Answer:-Four cases of measles and one of chicken-pos were admitted be tween February 21st and Murch 9th and 10 cases of measles and one of chicken- pox were admitted in the previous fort- night.

.....

undertake

The Government is not prepared to the responsibility for the

the year 1917, report on the Honakon an area which was previously free from Dey, and China New Year's Day, if an stability of either permanent or tempor-

Blue Book for 1917, and a copy of the letter from the Secretary of State for the

infectious diseases?

Answer:-Cases of measles have always

outward mail for Europe, America, Colonies together with a copy of the tele been received into the Victoria Hospital, India, or Australia is leaving on the day gram from the Governor-General eft is considered that it is better to treat Hon. Mr. HOLYOAK:Arising out of any, and, if so, what Regulations exist

such cases in a hospital than in schools Canada, acknowledging Hongkong's tribution of £10,000 for the relief of and private house scattered about the sufferers in the Halifax disaster.

Calons.

in question

the answers to my questions, I should like to ask, in the first place, whether it is not possible for questions put by

nor of matshed theatres and other struc- ary structure which are not its property,

the Colony by private individuals." ture which are erected constantly all over Will the Government state whether

buildings If there are no suck Regula- for the inspection and testing of lifts in tions, will the Government introduce sucb Regulations ? Eduarrers-There are no regulations.

How many cases of Measles hate been The COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H.E the Governor, laid upon the taken into the Victoria Hospital during members of Council to be answered The matter is under consideration.

the past 3 weeks and how many of the emanated from Kowloon 1

table the financial returng for the year 1917, and the report on the finances for the year

1917, and, in doing so, said: Sir, in your address to the Council last October you estimated that the revenue for 1917 would amount to $14,257,330. That sum was actually exceeded by $800,000 £hie total revenue being $15,058,105, by far the largest sum ever raised in this Colony. Of this total the Special War Rate which was in force for balf the year brought in a sum of $505,000. This was paid over to His Majesty's Governrcat for war purpages.

of

Answer: The number of cases measles received into the Victoria Hon pital between February 25th and March 9th was 5 none of which were from Kowloon, but from January 30th to April 29th 12 cases of measles were received from Kewicon.

Are such dreases as Measles, Diph theria, Scarlet Fever, et notified" diseases 7 and if not, will the Government take immediate steps to make them gol

Anster Measles is not at present a

little more speedily than in the present case. These questions were first asked by me on March 12th, they were amended on March 22nd; and the answers have been given on May 23rd. The questions are of public importance and should have been answered, I submit, a little more speedily. The answer given to my fifth question is incomplete. I asked. if measles was not a notiáable disease, whether the Government, would take 10- nedinte steps to make it so. That ques tion has not been answered. With refer. ence to the answer to my question in con- nection with the Lunatic Asylum I should

Hon. Mr. FOLLOCK-Sir, arising out

the answer to question two, no answer has been given to the suggestion put forward that the Government should take especial care to enact that certain definite oficials in the Government fer- vice shall be personally responsible for seeing that such regulations ate carried out. That, Sir, was obviously n very in- pertant, integral part of that question. do not know why it was not answered. The COLONIAL SECRETARY-Are you res ferring to permanent buildings f

Hon. Mr. POLLOCK--I am referring to all the points fovered by question two.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY The noswer is that regulations already exist for permanent buildings. There was aomo. doubt as to whether the question referred to permanent buildings or matsheds.

Hos. Mr POLLOCK-It was referring matters connected with the Race Course disaster. Of course, I am assuming the Government has read the findings of the

The other increases are shown in para notifiable disease. It has not been made fike to ask whether it is not a fact that to all matters dealt with in question, one graph 2 of the report, Although the notifiable by most of the large town in for many years there has been a European expenditure for the year exceeded the the United Kingdom. Diphtheria end case confined within these walls which, estimate by a sum of $1,694,073, the excess scarlet fever, enteric fever, plague, cere it is quite rightly held, is not a proper jury on this subject.keys the s

relapsing fever, paratyphoid, puerperal fever are notifiable.

is more than accounted for by the giftsbro spinal meningitis, small-pox, typhus,

Government. to His Majesty's

of $2,000,000, and 8605,000-the amount of the Special War Rate. There was actually a considerable saving in most depart ments and the high rate of exchange led to a large decrease in the amount re- quired for sterling payments. In October last it was estimated that the balance of Assets over Liabilities on the 31st Dec., 1917, would be $2,807,945 It was actually $3,268.061.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H.E the Governor, Laid upon the table, Sessional paper Extracts from

Will the Government provide in the next Estimates for increasing materially the size of Victoria Hospital? -

(a) Sell a portion of the present site of the Government Civil Hospital" and with the proceeds erect :- (b) A Hospital for Europeans in the Central district of Hongkong. (c) A Branch Hospital for Europeans

in Kowloon

(d) Improve the present Lunatic

Asylum?

Answer :-The Government doc, not pro

place for such cases? This is not a fitting moment to debats the question, but I Propose to take it up further later on...

H.E. the GOVERNOR-I BU sorry there has been such delay in holding the meet ing of this Council. I pkad in excuse the extreme pressure of work in the Attorney-General's ofice. We could have

answered some of the questions if a meet ing had been held earlier and I will see thas no such long interval occurs again, I notice in the questions that have been answered that question No. 5 of the hon. member representing the Chamber of Commerce has not been definitely unswer-

HE. THE GOVERNOR--I think I am right in saying generally that these structures are provided for under the Regulations. The Director of Public Worka" is : principally responsible for carrying out those regulations. With e gard to matsheds we are framing reason- able regulations, but in dealing with these structures in the rural districts......... the question has seen these large village I dare say the hon. member who put theatres all over the place we are not Posible, to send of the Fire

and Police prepared, nor is and so forth to prevent overcrowding and to extinguish fires; if fre unfor do what can reasonably be expected tunately arose, we could not do it. We

I will say at once that

Wister was most regrettable and Course Indmit that in this

case precautions have been, and should have been, taken. blame myself as regards the was head of the Police here for mine. years and I never anticipated a fire in

of

Race

Treasury minuter dated 31st December, pose at present to make provision at theed. The fact is that the matter was re- 1917, and 9th January, 1918, and asked. Victoria Hospital for maternity cases by think I am correct in my recollection-these matsheds. But it is no use getting ferred to the Sanitary Board and Provision of fire precautions because at the same time, that the heading **Hongkong War Rate" should be struck out of the paper. The first Treasury minute referred to the loan and to the contribution from the Colony's revenue for Imperial war purposes. The second minute related to the Special War Hate.

FINANCE.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H.E, the Governor, laid on the table Financial Minutes Nes. 9to 24, and moved that they be referred to the Finance Com miltee, w

The COLONIAL TREASURER Seconded, azid this was agreed to. --

· The COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H.E. the Governor, also laid upon the table the report of the proceedings of

Finance Committee, No. 1, and moved that it be adopted.

Tho Colonial Taraschet seconded, and this was agreed to,

an extension of the building

(a). It is not considered desirable to self any portion of the site of the Government Civil Hospital. (b) and (e) The Government considers that it is premature to consider these question. “

(4). The term. “Lunatic Asylum” con- notes, in its ordinary sense, a bene- volent institution affording shelter

them

the Board could not wake up its mind into a panic about matsheds generally I have had a good deal of trouble over whether measles should be made notif this subject. The Director of Public able or not. On present advice I do not Works refused absolutely to issue any more permits for any matsheds anywhere. think there is any necessity to make it unless he was satisfied

regarding notifiable. As has been mentioned, it is and he would have to have t

large not, as a rule, notifiable is England staff to do that All sorts of-001 kalerat

have arisen out of that With reference to the hon. member's re- Police, also, became very obstructive and

said they could marks on the Lunatic Asylum I think he with these

not have any to do had all for fires Hongkong refers to an American lady who has been sorts of

going on. It will go on more or less

except

and support to insane persons, confined thero for a very long time. W the lines that it has been going on,

place of refuge in which such per have made repeated and unavailing sons are subject to curative treat efforts to send that lady to the place ment, and, if incurshle, spend their where we think she properly belongs lives

The Hongkong Lunatic America but there has beco difficulty Asylum is not an institution of about establishing nationality, this nature. It is a house of tem- porary detention where insane per- The Hon, Mr. H. E. POLLOCK, K.C., sona are lodged pending steps for asked-In connection with the recent their repatriation, which steps are disaster at the Racecourse, which resulted invariably taken at the earliest in the death of over 570 persona,

THE EACE COURSZ DISASTER.

You

Ferious

and I think if you take up an imprac ticable attitude regarding matsheds will land yourselves in very trouble I do not think the Chines

support any very drastic measure under this head.

embers will be able to

to

The principal thing in village matsheda see that there is any amount of room. to escape if anything does happen and to see that they are only one storey bigh they are never more than that now—und that no cooking, and uses of that sort are allowed. That is all we can do in rural districts. I hope that statement will satisfy the hon member.