Sessional_Paper_1894 — Page 287

283

No. 94.

21

.No. 151.

HONGKONG.

GOVERNOR'S DESPATCH TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE WITH REFERENCE TO THE PLAGUE,

Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Governor.

MY LORD MArquess,

GOVERNMENT HOUSE, HONGKONG, 20th June, 1894.

I had the honour to receive from your Lordship on the 16th June the follow- ing telegram:-"Keep me informed progress of bubonic plague. Send names of 'any Europeans dying or attacked reporting number of departures and what arrangements contemplated in Chinese quarter. What will be the effect on Finances. "Did plague originate in China and if so did you take any preventive measures

against its introduction. Telegraph reply."

2. I accordingly replied on the same day: "In answer to your telegram of 15ht "June total mortality to date 1,900. Latest statistical returns more satisfactory. "Ten British soldiers attacked. Two dead--Captain VESEY, Private GIBSON. Others "convalescent. Departures approximately estimated 80,000. Infected district closed "adopting necessary measures. Resumption intended. Commercial interests se- "riously affected labour scarce. Assistance from Imperial Government or issue of fresh loan necessary. Bubonic plague endemic parts of China. Originated here "after drought for 7 months. Foul Bills of Health issued 10th May. All steamer

passengers medically examined. Will telegraph later."

3. Your Lordship will have received my Despatches Nos. 115, 116, 121, 122, 123, 127, 128, 129 and 132, and my telegrams of the 18th May, 2nd, 4th, and 16th June, in reference to the epidemic which has been in existence in this Colony since the beginning of last May.

4. At the risk of repeating some of the statements I have made in those com- munications it may be convenient to your Lordship that I should forward to you a narrative, disjointed though it may be, of the principal incidents that have occurred in connection with the plague during the last month.

5. On my return to the Colony from Japan on the 15th May, after 8 weeks' leave of absence, I found that Major-General BARKER, who had been administering the Government since the 30th April, owing to the sudden departure on account of illness of Mr. OBRIEN, the Colonial Secretary, had issued a proclamation on the 10th May declaring Hongkong to be an infected Port in accordance with the prov- isions of The Public Health Ordinance, No. 24 of 1887.

6. A Permanent Committee of the Sanitary Board, consisting of three mem-- bers, had thereupon been appointed, and these gentlemen who, in conjunction with Dr. Lowson, Dr. PENNY, R.N., and Surgeon-Major JAMES, have since acted with extraordinary energy and efficiency, at once passed Bye-laws, and Regulations which I have already forwarded to you and which were without delay passed and confirmed by the Executive Council and ultimately legalized by the Legislative Council.

The Right Honourable

THE MARQUESS OF RIPON,

Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State

for the Colonies,

&c.,

&C

&c.