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HONGKONG
services of about three hundred volunteers from the Regiment, who were engaged in the house to house visitation and cleansing. Captain Vesey, S.L.I., while engaged in this work contracted the disease and died from it, and one sergeant and four privates also suffered from it. The other corps of the Garrison as well as the Navy likewise lent assistance. Amongst other measures taken to combat the disease, a portion of the Taipingshan district, where the cases were most numerous, was cleared of its inhabit- ants, for whom accommodation was provided elsewhere, and the property in the con- demned area was subsequently resumed by the Crown, the intention being that it should be reconstructed in accordance with sanitary requirements. The disease reached its climax on the 7th June, when 107 deaths and 69 new cases were reported. After that date its virulence decreased, and on the 3rd September the proclamation declaring the Colony infected was withdrawn. The total number of deaths recorded was 2,547. In the meantime the trade of the Colony had suffered severely. Large numbers of the natives fled, it being estimated that the population was reduced at one time by no less than 80,000, and the usually busy Queen's Road appeared almost deserted. As the disease waned the population returned, business was gradually resumed, and with the withdrawal of the quarantine imposed at the other ports vessels resumed their regular calls at Hongkong. In 1896 the disease again made its appear- ance, but was much less virulent than in 1894, and in 1898 there was another visita- tion, in connection with which two of the sisters of the Government Civil Hospital lost their lives, having contracted the disease while in the discharge of their duties. The year 1899 saw still another visitation, the number of deaths amounting to over 1,400 and it recurred in 1900 and 1901, the outbreak in the latter year giving rise to an agitation for remedial measures. In 1902 only sporadic cases occurred but the port was declared infected on account of the disease. A vigorous policy of sanitation is now being carried out and special commissioners (Mr. Osbert Chadwick and Dr. Simpson) were sent out from England to advise on the best means of improving the health of the city of Victoria. Their report was presented to the Government in April, 1902. Sir William Robinson left Hongkong on the 1st February, 1898, and until the arrival of Sir Henry Blake on 25th November, 1898, the Government was admini- stered by Major-General Wilsone Black. In 1900, on the despatch of the China Expeditionary Force from India, Hongkong became the base, from which troops and supplies were sent forward. Prior to the arrival of these troops, a force drawn from the Garrison was despatched to the front, and the Hongkong Regiment were retained for service in North China during the whole of the campaign, only returning to the colony in December, 1901. In October, 1902, the Hongkong Regiment were paraded for the last time in the colony, handed over their colours to be placed in St. John's Cathedral, and embarked a few days later for India, where they were disbanded. Sir Henry Blake left for England at the close of 1901, and during his absence (until Sep- tember, 1902) Major-General Sir William Gascoigne administered the Government, and earned great popularity. Owing to a very short rainfall in 1901, and a prolonged drought lasting until Mity, 1902, a serious water famine occurred, reducing the inhabitants to great straits, and forcibly bringing home to the Administration the urgent need for increased water storage.
The following is a list of those who have administered the Government from the date on which the Island was erected into a Colony—
1843 Sir Henry Pottinger, Bart., G.C.B. 1844 Sir John Francis Davis, Bart., K.C.B. 1848 Samuel George Bonham, C.B.
1851 Major-General W. Jervois (Lt.-Governor) 1851 Sir S. George Bonham, Bart., K.C.B. 1852 John Bowring, LL.D. (Acting) 1853 Sir S. George Bonham, Bart., K.C.B. 1854 Sir John Bowring, Knt., LL.D. 1854 Lieut.-Colonel Wm. Caine (Lt.-Governor) 1855 Sir John Bowring, Knight, LL.D. 1859 Colonel Caine (Lieut.-Governor) 1859 Sir Hercules G. R. Robinson, Knight 1862 William Thomas Mercer (Acting) 1864 Sir Hercules G. R. Robinson, Knight 1865 Williant Thomas Mercer (Acting) 1866 Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell, Knt., C.B. 1870 Mj.-Gl. H. W. Whitfeild (Lt.-Governor) 1871 Sir Richard G. MacDonnell, K.C.M.G., C.B.
| 1872 Sir Arthur E. Kennedy, K.C.M.G.,C.B.
| 1875 John Gardiner Austin (Administrator) 1876 Sir Arthur E. Kennedy, K.C.M.G., C.B. 1877 Sir John Pope Hennessy, K.C...G. 1882 Wm. Hy. Marsh, c.■.G. (Administrator) 1883 Sir George Ferguson Bowen, G.c.M.G. 1885 Wm. Hy. Marsh, c.x.o. (Administrator) 1887 Mjr.-Gen. W. G. Cameron, c.B. (Adıninis.) 1887 Sir George William Des Vœux, I.C.X G. 189 Francis Fleming, c.x.e. (Administrator) 1890 Sir George William Des Vœux, I.C...G. 1891 Mjr.-Gen. G. Digby Barker, c в. (Adm.) 1891 Sir William Robinson, G.C M.G. 1898 Mj.-Gl. Wilsone Black, C.B. (Adminr.) 1898 Sir Henry Arthur Blake, 6.C.M.G. 1902 Mj.-Gen. Šir Wm. Gascoigne, x.c.M.G. (Adr.) 1902 Sir Henry Arthur Blake, G.C.M.G.
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