28.
find any definite mention of Saiwan; so this picture forms another valuable record of a time regarding which we have, unfortunately, but few details.
In commenting on the old picture of Saiwan Bay published yesterday, I mentioned that there were references to troops being quartered in the eastern end of the island, but could not at the time find any definite reference to Saiwan. However, there is a very definite mention of this place in the statistics on the Colony's unhealthiness which were compiled by the Friend of China, a journal of the time, in 1844. It is quoted in Martin's "China", an old work published in 1847, and I take the following extract, which tells us that the barracks were already looked upon as unhealthy within a few years of their erection, as well as giving other valuable details:
"It was supposed that Saiwan, on the south-east side of Hongkong, would afford a healthy station for the troops. Government expended about $30,000 in preparing and building a fine set of barracks of two storeys with every view to comfort and health. The Officers of the Royal Engineers having reported the barracks habitable the General commanding sent a medical board to examine the building and station. The board reported that the station at Saiwan appeared healthy, that there was no apparent cause for disease, and that it was eligible for troops. The General resolved to begin with a small detachment, and twenty Europeans were sent to Saiwan: no sentry was to be mounted during the day, and but one at night. In five weeks, five of the soldiers were dead; were in a dangerous state, and four were convalescent; one European woman and child were also dangerously ill.
three more and a small
"The remaining men were withdrawn; a detachment of native troops are now (July 17, 1844) being sent thither, in order to ascertain whether the climate will suit them. On the 17th July, 1844, only four men out of the twenty Europeans who had been to Saiwan, were reported fit for duty."
After this we can understand why these barracks were abandoned and demolished.
Another of Bruce's delightful pictures is reproduced to-day, this time depicting Spring Gardens as seen from the hill to the east of the locality, where the doctors' quarters and premises of the Royal Naval Hospital are now situated. It is one of the series possessed by a local resident who has kindly permitted reproduction in these columns.
Here we have an inscription on the lithograph reading "View of Victoria looking west from the garden of the Honourable John Walter Hulme, Chief Justice, Hongkong, 20th August, 1846." These details are of the greatest value to-day, as showing where the Chief Justice of the time had his residence the ridge whereon the old Seamen's Hospital stood, afterwards taken over by the Navy.
The
409
28.
find any definite mention of Saiwan; so this picture forms another valuable record of a time regarding which we have, unfortunately, but few details.
In commenting on the old picture of Saiwan Bay published yesterday, I mentioned that there were references to troops being quartered in the in the eastern end of the island, but could not at the tine find any definite reference to Saiwan. However, there is a very definite mention of this place in the statistics on the Colony's unhealthiness which were compiled by the Friend of China, a journal of the time, in 1844. It is quoted in Martin's "China", an old work published in 1847, and I take the following extract, which tells us that the barracks were already looked upon as unhealthy within a few years of their erection, as well as giving other valuable details:
"It was supposed that Saiwan, on the south-east side of llongkong, would afford a healthy station for the troops. Government expended about $30,000 in preparing and building a fine set of barracks of two storeys with every view to confort and health. The Officers of the Royal Engineers having reported the barracks habitable the General commanding sent a medical board to examine the building and station. The board reported that the station at Saiwan appeared healthy, that there was no apparent cause for disease, and that it was eligible for troops. The General resolved to begin with a small detachment, and twenty Europeans were sent to Saiwan: no sentry was to be mounted during the day, and but one at night. In five weeks, five of the soldiers were dead; were in a dangerous state, and four were convalescent: ,one European woman and child were also dangerously ill.
three more
and a small
"The remaining men were withdrawn; detachment of native troops are now (July 17, 18hphy) being sent thither, in order to ascertain whether the climate will suit them. On the 17th July,184449 only four men out of the twenty Europeans who had been to Saiwan, were reported fit for duty."
After this we can understand why these barracks were abandoned and demolished.
·
Another of Bruce's delightful pictures is reproduced to-day, this time depicting Spring Gardens as seen from the hill to the east of the locality, where the doctors' quarters and premises of the Royal Naval Hospital are now situated. It is one of the series possessed by a local resident who has kindly permitted reproduction in these columns.
Here we have an inscription on the lithograph reading "View of Victoria looking west from the garden of the Honourable John Walter Hulme, Chief Justice, Hongkong;, 20th. August, 1846." These details are of the greatest value to-day, as showing where the Chief Justice of the time had his residence the ridge whereon the old Seamen's Hospital stood, afterwards taken over by the Navy.
The
409
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