Sessional_Paper_1896 — Page 137

134

No. 2,094.

COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE,

HONGKONG, 24th October, 1894.

SIR, I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th instant, and in reply to inform you that the matter of the constitution of the Sanitary Board is under the consideration of the Government.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

The Honourable J. J. KESWICK,

Your obedient Servant,

J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, Acting Colonial Secretary.

Chairman, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE,

&c.,

&c.,

&c.

MY DEAR SIR,

HONGKONG, 12th November, 1894..

With reference to what passed at a recent meeting of Unofficial Members when the composition of the Sanitary Board was discussed and a difference of opinion arose as to the question of responsibility in the event of the Government appointing a Medical Authority and Sanitary Engineer, I am decidedly of opinion that such appointment would infallibly place with the Government the responsibility for the sanitation of the Colony.

I consider that the public interests would be efficiently served if the Govern- ment were to reconstitute the Sanitary Board on the above lines, that is to say, by the nomination of a Medical Authority as President, a permanent Sanitary Specialist and Engineer, and the Captain Superintendent of Police. With these officials should be associated as at present, two members selected by the community.

As matters now are there is practically no properly constituted Sanitary Authority, and from its very nature it is impossible that the Board, as now existing, can adequately fulfil those junctions expected of it, or that it can be held fully responsible for any inefficiency in the sanitation of the Colony.

The state of sanitary matters exposed last summer on the outbreak of the plague sufficiently bears out these views, which I believe I am right in asserting, are shared by the public at large.

Honourable C. P. CHATER,

Senior Unofficial Member,

Legislative Council.

Believe me to be,

Yours truly,

J. J. KESWICK.

(Minute by the Honourable A. McConachie.)

Mr. KESWICK in the above letter expresses very clearly my own personal views on this matter. I would like, however, to add that I consider that the Government in having the appointment of a special medical authority as President would accept all responsibility, through their own officer, for the health of the Colony. The main fault to be found with the present Board is the fact that the responsibility for their actions cannot be pinned down to the Government or any one in particular.

A. MCCONACHIE.

(Minute by the Honourable C. P. Chater.)

My ideas on this subject are identical with those expressed in Mr. KESWICK'S letter, for I consider that a Board, composed as he suggests, would throw upon the Government the responsibility for the health of the Colony.

C. P. CHATER.