( 84 )
956. How far is the entrance of the new sewer from his house?
A.
It is brought up to Third Street now.
957. How many feet from the house?
A.-200 to 300 feet.
958.--Would the smell of a sewer of that kind be perceptible?
A.-I don't think so, at any distance.
959.-Why?
A.---Because there is so little sewage goes into these drains, and they are 5 or 6 feet high.
By Dr. Cantlie.
960. Mr. AITKIN does complain of smells; where do you think they come from?
A.-I should say from the burning of the rubbish.
961.-But it is not burnt there now?
A. It is burnt at Green Island. A large piece of ground at this side of Green Island is used for it and the stench is something fearful. They have put one near my place and sometimes it is enough to stifle one, although it is on a small scale. I dare-
say
Dr. MANSON has smelt it at his house.
[Dr. MANSON. I have not noticed it.]
By Dr. Manson.
962. Some years ago when Captain THOMSETT lived at Nullah Side, his family had intermittent fever. Do you know anything of the circumstances?
A.--No.
By Dr. Jordan.
963. Where would you suggest the rubbish should be burnt instead of Green Island?
A.-I would take it out to sea, take it away altogether. It used to be removed some years ago, during the time of Mr. CLEVERLY. The rubbish was carried away, the night soil the same, everything carried away.
964. And dumped into the sea?
By Dr. Manson.
A. -It was taken out to sea or up the Canton River. The night soil was sold. It was collected by scavengers and each man was paid by the quantity he collected. It was put in boats at Lap-sap-wan and taken up the Canton River. That was in force until a few years ago, and then Hongkong was one of the most healthy places in the world. The death rate was about 15 per 1,000.
965. When was that?
A. About 1864. When Sir RICHARD MACDONNELL came he found the coffers empty and he wished to study economy and all these things were changed.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.