Sessional_Paper_1896 — Page 730

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Meeting held on Thursday, May 14th, 1896.

Present:-Honourable J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, Colonial Secretary (President).

Honourable A. M. THOMSON, Acting Colonial Treasurer.

Honourable C. P. CHATER.

Honourable Dr. Ho KAI.

Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.

Dr. F. W. CLARK, Medical Officer of Health to the Sanitary Board.

THE PRESIDENT-Are you acquainted with the Tung Wa Hospital ?—Yes.

How long have you been acquainted with it?—About six months; practically since my arrival in the Colony.

Have you visited it frequently during the six months?--I have made about twenty visits altogether, speaking off hand. I have reported the results of my visits to the Hospital to the Sanitary Board.

Dr. Ho KAI-Did you give notice of your visits, or were they surprise visits?—At first I went round with the Colonial Surgeon. The subsequent visits I made were surprise visits-in company with the Sanitary Inspector on several occasions.

THE PRESIDENT-One of your reports is dated 28th December, 1895?—Yes.

In that report you called attention to one or two matters in the Hospital. In the X first place you say the entire building is surrounded and shut in by other buildings.

Do you consider the wards sufficiently ventilated?--Yes.

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Have they sufficient air?—Yes, provided the windows are opened.

Do you consider they are sufficiently well lighted?—Yes; I think they are suf- ficiently well lighted, with the exception of the surgical ward on the ground floor.

With regard to the bath-rooms and latrines, are you of opinion that the new bath- rooms and latrines are sufficient, or do you think the number should be increased?—I do not think they are sufficient, I think there should be latrines and bath-rooms for every ward; at present they are provided for the wards of one block only.

And your suggestion is that the north block should be provided with bath-room and latrine accommodation such as has been added to the other block?—It may be more difficult to do it at the north block, but I believe it might be done.

In your report you stated that you found the verandahs used as sleeping places?— XIL. page Yes.

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Since then the Sanitary Board has served a notice upon the Hospital authorities ordering them to prevent persons sleeping in the verandahs. Are the verandahs now used as sleeping places?—No; but they are used unfortunately for the storage of lumber. I found the ground floor verandahs yesterday half filled with rubbish, woodwork, baskets, clothing, &c. These verandahs should be open for the free admission of air and light to the wards, and instead of that they are littered up with a quantity of rubbish. The upper verandahs were clear.

Mr. WHITEHEAD-Was the rubbish stored there in an unsanitary condition in any way?--It was not offensive to the smell. I object to its being there because it obstructs the free access of light and air to the wards.

Is there any special reason why it should be stored there?-There are plenty of other places where it might be put and no reason why it should be stored in the veran-