permanent buildings have been erected without perinits and are lacking in water supply and sewerage. This has created health problems, difficult to solve.
(d) Squatters,
98. Squatters continued to pour into the Colony during the year and have now reached the approximate figure of 830,000. Compared with the chaos early in 1950 there is now comparative order. In the central urban area, which was over-run early in the year, there are only a few odd squatters to be found. Following a methodically planned campaign urban areas were gazetted for clearance, the squatters given warning to clear out and, on an appointed day, any who remained were removed. It says much for those engaged that there were no incidents. The squatters now are congregated for the most part on the outskirts of the city and Kowloon. The necessity for lanes between the great masses of huts to leasen the dangers of fire is realized, but rendered difficult by the need to replace the huts moved in doing this. Several fires, responsible for the destruction of several hundreds of huts, but without loss of life, caused much concern, but shows the need for these fire lanes, Another develop- ment has been the establishment of squatter colonies in tolerated areas. In these areas huts have been allowed but only on certain conditions making for some safety from fire and disease.
99. The large numbers of refugees connected with the military change-over in China and who, in the early part of the year, occupied the neighbourhood of Tung Wah Hospital, were shifted to an area at Jubilee Fort where sanitary conditions soon became very bad. Inoculation against cholera, vaccination, treatment of personnel with D.D.T. power applied by spray guns to kill lice, the liberal use of Gammexane on soiled areas, and education in the use of latrines provided by the Urban Council and some education in rubbish disposal helped to prevent epidemic dis- ease, except for a small outbreak of bacillary dysentery.
100. On 26th and 27th June nearly 6,000 nationalist soldier refugees with their families were removed to Rennie's Mill in an outlying district of the New Territories. This was arranged by the Social Welfare Officer. All personnel were again deloused before embarkation.
101. The squatter problem remains serious, but in the meantime all major clearances have been held in abeyance, whilst the situation is re- viewed. Areas already cleared are kept cleared by a patrol and as an example of the persistence of the squatter, 692 newly erected huts were removed in March, 1961 alone.
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(e)
Water Supply.
102. The main water supply in the urban area is piped and of excellent quality. Many wells exist on the mainland and these are a con- tinual source of anxiety, but are mapped out so that chlorination may be done at once in case of epidemic bowel discase becoming a threat. During the year this chlorination of wells was tried out in a pilot scheme, because of the rise in the incidence of typhoid. No real conclusion was reached as to its effect.
103. Water restrictions had to be imposed throughout the whole year due to increased consumption making the supply inadequate.
(a) Geography.
(1) RURAL HEALTH.
104. The New Territories including the islands of Lantau and Cheung Chay make up the rural area. There are many villages and several small townships such as Un Long and Taipo.
(8) Staff.
105. A Health Officer, a Senior Health Inspector and 5 Health Inspectors are responsible for the health problema. Malarial work is controlled by a Malariologist with his own staff. The district is wide for the staff available and great development is taking place. One inspector resides on the island of Cheung Chau.
(e) Administration.
106. A District Commissioner is in charge generally and the Health Officer is his health adviser. Liaison is maintained through the Health Officer with the Director of Medical and Health Services on health matters.
(d) Clinics.
107. There are 9 Government dispensaries providing medical treat- ment to the villagers at Tai Po, Fan Ling, Sha Tau Kok, Un Tong, San Hul, Sai Kung, Ping Chau and Tai 0. There are midwives based on these dispensaries who do domiciliary work, and in some of the dispen- saries there are maternity beds.
108. There are two travelling dispensaries which visit such villages as can be reached by road, and a launch conveys medical supplies and a visiting medical officer to the islands.
109. The police penetration patrols referred to in my last report have continued to provide an excellent example of the co-operation of St. John
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