Sessional_Paper_1887-1888 — Page 392

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are highly objectionable even in the best quarters, the odour being so great as to be unbearable. The vessels made to receive the fluid part of the soil were either over- flowing or broken, and the fluid soil was allowed to percolate either into the floor of the latrine or into the nearest house drain surface gully.

In one instance the fluid soil, kitchen and bath waste were allowed to flow on to the ground directly below the windows of the dwelling house.

Disused bath room traps were found useless owing to the evaporation of the water in the trap, and rain water traps were for the same reason inefficient; these traps more- over lead directly to the main sewers and from their inefficiency the gases from the sewers found their way into the houses or the court yards adjacent.

In one instance a house drain opened on to the rain water pipes of the roof of the house immediately below. The surface traps laid down around the houses in the Western District generally were very defective. The dip of the trap in no instance was more than & of an inch below the level of the trap water, and in most instances, of an inch was all the covering which the construction of the trap rendered possible. In not a few instances the water of the trap was insufficient either from evaporation or from suction.

Seeing that these traps, in many instances, constituted the only guard whereby the gases of the main sewer were prevented from ascending in the neighbourhood of dwellings, the Commissioners regard them as totally inadequate, even when such traps have the maximum dip represented above, to prevent sewer gas more especially at the higher levels finding its way through the trap.

These facts taken in conjunction with the inadequacy of the main sewer ventilation are regarded with much concern. The Commissioners believe that by the detailed account just given of the irregularities and errors in the sanitation of the district the remedies about to be recommended may be more intelligible.

RECOMMENDATIONS.

I.-That sub-soil drainage be proceeded with at once.-From information gathered from reliable sources, it is possible to proceed with such drainage without waiting for more radical changes, in either the principles of ventilation, or in the improvements providing for the amelioration of the present condition contained in the Public Health Ordinance.

The expense such a work would involve would be small, and from the arguments already given, need only extend to the Western District.

The drainage should be of the nature of sub-soil drainage.

As to the present disposal of the sub-soil water the Commissioners believe that it will be useful to carry it into the already existing drain-sewers or sewers; the fall being so great that no harm can arise therefrom.

As to the future disposal of sub-soil water and storm water in newly constructed drainage works, the Commissioners are of opinion that the subject should be carefully considered as to whether Drain-Sewers, or Sewers with a separate drainage for sub-soil water and storm water, which may or may not join the sewers, be the better.

II.—That the period of Earth Cuttings be regulated.-In Hongkong and in many other places, it is noted that newly cut virgin soil, more especially in ill drained or swampy districts, is followed by an outbreak of fever. The Commissioners would advise that the period of earth cuttings (below the level of the Pokfulam Aqueduct) be limited to the months of December, January, February, March, April and May, and that it be prohi- bited during the months of June, July, August, September, October and November.

That such a recommendation may meet with strong opposition the members of the Commission are quite aware; but they are of opinion that the health of the community should not be damaged for mere personal gain or in other words that the lives of the inhabitants should not be sacrificed to further private ends.