( 66 )
A.-It is ground water; you have at the back a lofty mountain condensing moisture all the time, taking it in at the upper levels and letting it out at the lower, and it permeates the soil.
766.-Is it intended to carry out subsoil drainage?
A.-Undoubtedly. Again I refer you to the Public Health Ordinance, which contains ample provisions for subsoil drainage and there are also provisions in the proposed new Building Ordinance. [Reads sections.] The object of these provisions is to secure that every house built in Hongkong shall have subsoil drainage.
767.-So there are efficient means of subsoil drainage provided for, carrying off storm water, and for ventilation shafts to each of the sewers, and for flaps at the lower ends where they fall into the sea. Do you think these important?
A.-Not if you reduce the present sewers to simple conduits for storm waters.
768.--It will be a great expense, that separate system of drainage?
A.-It is a necessary expense, because the rainfall is so enormous that it requires unduly large channels to carry off storm waters. Channels large enough to give escape to storm waters present very broad evaporating floors for sewage if turned into them. House sewage flowing over these broad evaporating surfaces dries up and causes a nuisance.
769.-Are you of opinion that the breaking up of earth is a cause of fever?
A.--Under certain circumstances. I think it requires a combination of causes. 770.—Is it a fact that Hongkong has had more fever this year than before?
A.-Unquestionably.
771.-Were there not epidemies of fever before?
A.-In the early days.
772.-But not since you have been in the colony?
A.--No.
773. Then this is something new?
may
A.-There have been some seasons worse than others, but I never heard of an entire district being stricken as this has been.
774.-Would it be possible when a new road is constructed to cover it up at once so as to prevent exhalations?
•
A. It would be possible to concrete the surface.
775.-There is a cutting at Richmond Terrace with the sides exposed. Would it be a great expense to cover them?
A.-It would be a great expense, certainly. Such a covering would mean a wall, a skin of masonry.
•
776.—Do you know whether a stone wall built against the side would be sufficient to keep out fever?
A.-No, I should think not, because moisture would percolate through the inters- tices of the stones. Of course a more impervious skin of concrete-a mackintosh, so to speak-would keep out moisture.
་
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.