THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 11тя SEPTEMBER, 1880.
MINUTE BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR.
I fear the Colonial Surgeon is not as fully alive as he should be to the grave consequences of towing the existing system of Gaol latrines to continue.
Under the present system, a solitary case of cholera or of typhoid fever in the crowded and badly ated Gaol of Hongkong, might speedily destroy a large proportion of the Community.
Nor is the danger confined to that part of the Town of Victoria (the centre of the European. marter) where the Gaol is situated. On proceeding towards the place (Lap-sap-wan, West end of ictoria District) where the contents of the prisoners' tubs are ultimately deposited, I found the stench
great as to be offensive outside a radius of an eighth of a mile.
I am not disposed to allow this to continue till some calamity compels the responsible officials to Arry out the instructions given more than once by the Secretary of State on this subject.
An abundance of proper earth can be obtained (especially from the neighbourhood of the Wong- -chung Valley) for the Gaol.
Means must at once be taken for collecting, kiln-drying and properly sifting this earth, and using according to the printed instructions which accompanied the Secretary of State's despatch of 2nd ecember, 1867.
I shall hold the Chief Authorities of the Gaol, and especially the Colonial Surgeon, gravely re- punsible if any unnecessary delay occurs in carrying out these instructions.
(Signed)
J. POPE HENNESSY.
6th June, 1877.
EXPLANATION BY THE COLONIAL SURGEON.
GOVERNMENT CIVIL HOSPITAL,
HONGKONG, 11th June, 1877.
SIR,I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter No. 389 of the 7th instant, and. eply regret to think that His Excellency the Governor should think I am not fully alive to the evils ferred to.
2. In 1875, partly at my instance, an attempt was made to put the dry earth system into operation the Victoria Gaol. During the time it was on trial and apparently working satisfactorily, I was tacked with typhoid fever, and was subsequently absent for some months on sick leave. Before my turn the dry earth system had been abandoned as impracticable, for what valid reason I was never le to discover.
3. Dr. Mouar, the Juspector General of Gaols, mentioned in the Indian Report as one of the comoters of the dry earth system in India, being a personal friend of mine, I have been able to obtain fom him the results of its success, and these results I have been able to verify for myself when I was
charge of Indian Gaols and Hospitals.
4. At the same time, I may perhaps point out that being only consulting physician of the Victoria dl. I have myself no practical means of putting in practice the dry earth system in that Establish- ent, and that my duties in regard to it are limited to indicating to its Superintendent whatever litary measures may occur to me from time to time desirable.
5. I am however by no means desirous on this account to limit myself to giving good advice, and could be glad to assist His Excellency the Governor practically, and in any way which the Govern- ut may wish, in the work of Sanitation. On this matter I would respectfully invite the attention of Excellency to the sanitary portion of my Annual Report, which deals with a variety of subjects, quiring reform.
6. In applying the dry earth system, to the Victoria Gaol or any other Public Building, I would ngly recommend, in spite of the increased expense, the use of some other earth than that obtainable the Island, as its deodorising qualities. from the prevalence of quartz, are extremely feeble.
The Honourable J. GARDINER AUSTIN,
Colonial Secretary.
I have, &c..
(Signed)
PH. B. C. AYRES,
Colonial Surgeon.
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