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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 16TH FEBRUARY, 1878.
49
and from the minute inspection that the Admiral and myself have made of this Hospital, to do that which my predecessors have done,-bear testimony to the admirable way in wlrich it has been conducted. It has been my duty to visit many hospitals; men in my position must do so; but I am bound to say that I have never gone through the wards of any hospital in any country in which I found better ventilation, and less of that hospital character, that we so often see, and unfortunately so often experience, than in this building. I see that in this institution you understand the great value of cleanliness and fresh air. One of my predecessors, Sir RICHARD MACDONNELL, speaking at this table perhaps, and referring to his visit, made a similar observation, adding that it would be a fortunate thing for the Colony, if our own Civil Hospital had been so well built, and if the windows, doors and other means of ventilation were as adequately constructed as you have them here. Now, gentlemen, I do not on this occasion desire to sit down without bearing my testimony also, as Governor of this Colony, to what has been, from time to time, done by the Committee of this Hospital on other subjects of public importance. Many years ago, the attention of the Government was directed to a scandal, which also attracted the notice of my gallant friend, Admiral HILLYAR, the evils of the coolic trade, and one of my predecessors called the attention of the Secretary of State to the fact that the communications from the Tung Wah Hospital were those which gave him the first intimation of the evils perpetrated in that trade. While the Government of that day had to thank the Committee of the Tung Wah Hospital, it is my duty now publicly to do the same. Government to that which undoubtedly was a grave abuse. You brought to my notice the fact that It is not many weeks since you drew the attention of the it was the practice to issue tickets to Chinese Emigrants in this Colony for a certain sum of money; the tickets purported that that sum was paid in full, whereas, as you pointed out, in reality but a very small sum was paid, and the emigrant was expected to bind himself for so long a period as two years, to work off his passage, in the sugar plantations of the Sandwich Islands. That was an infraction of our law. It was you who drew our attention to it, and it is my public duty to thank do, for the valuable information you thus conveyed to the Government.
you, as I now
I am sure I only express the sentiments of the European gentlemen that I see around me, and of my gallant friend, Admiral HILLYAR, and of his Officers, in cordially wishing you a happy New Year, and long continued prosperity; and I need hardly add that if I can in any way promote that prosperity, it will afford me indeed great satisfaction when the time comes, and I make up my own accounts, on leaving this Colony.
Mr. NG CHOY then interpreted the substance of His Excellency's speech to the Chinese present, a great majority of whom did not understand English.
Mr. WAI AKWONG then rose to present a silver cup to Dr. MowLL, for the services he rendered to the sufferers by the explosion of the S. S. Yesso. The cup is very handsomely chased in Chinese style, and is a piece of exquisite workmanship from Canton. It stands on a nicely carved black-wood pedestal, and bears the following inscription:"Presented to Rd. W. MowLL, Esq., M.D., R.N., by the Chinese Community of Hongkong, as an expression of their high estimation of his medical abilities, and gratitude for his kind attention as displayed towards the sufferers from the accident on board the S. S. Yesso, 22nd November, 1877, Hongkong.' In presenting it to Dr. MowLL, Mr. WAI AKWONG said it was a small token of their esteem and gratitude, and he begged the doctor to accept it.
Dr. MowLL replied in a few appropriate words, and said no one deplored the sad accident more than he did, and that in attending on the sufferers, he was only doing his duty for the cause of humanity. He thanked the Chinese for their kind gift, and said he would ever prize it.
Tea was again brought in, and after sipping it, His Excellency rose to depart. The Chinese Band again struck up, and a salute of three salvoes was fired.
No. 29.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION. FAMINE. NORTH-CHINA.
The following Papers in reference thereto, are published for general information.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 15th February, 1878.
J. GARDINER AUSTIN, Colonial Secretary.
CHINESE FAMINE RELIEF FUND,
SHANGHAI, 29th January, 1878.
Sin,-In name of the Chinese Famine Relief Committee, we take the liberty of addressing you on the subject of the Famine now raging in the North of China. The accounts that have reached the Committee are most distressing and there is occasion for immediate action in the matter. accounts have been published in the local papers here, and we beg to refer you to them for information. These It will be seen that the Famine extends over at least four provinces, Shensi, Shansi, Chilli and Honan, and is far more terrible than it was last year in Shantung. It includes a population of nine millions, thousands of whom are dying daily from sheer starvation. Not only are women and children being freely sold for a mere pittance, but human flesh is resorted to as a means of subsistence in many
instances.
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