Sessional_Paper_1892 — Page 477

To His Excellency

Governor Sir W. ROBINSON, K.C.M.G.

REPORT.

In pursuance of the Commission issued by His Excellency the Officer Admi- nistering the Government on the 28th November, 1891, "to enquire into the "System of Quarantine and Quarantine Regulations as applicable to the port of Hongkong, &c.," the undersigned have the honour to submit the following Report:--

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2. The Commission held a first or preliminary meeting on the 29th December, 1891. A course of procedure was then agreed upon, and it was arranged to obtain the services of a shorthand writer in order to facilitate the taking of evidence.

3. The Commission met five times, and on the invitation of the Commissioners, the principal Medical Officers of the Army and Navy, as well as Drs. GERLACH, HARTIGAN, and CANTLIE, were good enough to attend at some of the meetings and express their views on the subject of quarantine.

The Surveyor General, who also attended, described the possible sites for a quarantine station, and gave information as to the drainage and water supply of Victoria.

The medical members of the Commission also stated their opinions on the subject under inquiry.

The minutes of the proceedings will be found in the appendix.

4. It was thought advisable to examine the quarantine regulations of the neighbouring ports and places with which the Colony has shipping relations, and through the courtesy of the various Consuls such regulations were supplied to us.

5. The system of quarantine at present existing here may be said, in practice, to apply only to vessels of foreign as opposed to native build, and although the regulations are wide enough to apply to Chinese junks, it is found almost imprac- ticable to carry them out satisfactorily.

"Vessels arriving in the waters of the Colony;

"(a.) After a voyage of less than 3 days from any port or place at "which any infectious or contagious disease prevailed at the "time of such vessel's departure therefrom; or

"(b.) Having at the time of arrival, or having had, during the voyage, "any case of any infectious or contagious disease on board; or

"(c.) Having on board any passengers who are less than 3 days "from any port or place where any infectious or contagious "disease prevailed when such passengers departed therefrom, "shall immediately on entering the waters of the Colony fly the Quarantine "Flag, and shall keep the same flying, and shall be deemed to be in quarantine "until released therefrom by the express written order of the Health Officer. "With the written consent of the Health Officer any such ship which is on a "voyage to any other place may be allowed to proceed on such voyage or "to transship her passengers and crew (sic) for the purpose of completing such "voyage." (Table (L), section 1, Ordinance 26 of 1891.)