Sessional_Paper_1896 — Page 897

[xxII]

such a nuisance might now be, and for years have continued to be, in existence. Never- theless, the detection of those abuses has only evoked from the local Press indiscriminate abuse, so that one might suppose the suppression of such nuisances is a reasonable ground of attack, as perhaps also the fact beyond the control of any Government that such abuses will endeavour to crop up and develop themselves in the rank soil of any Chinese population.

13. I have dwelt somewhat on the history and details of the "I-Ts'z," because they naturally engrossed much public attention, and because I think a corresponding amount of good is likely to result. I judged, and correctly, that the better class of Chinese were much ashamed of the very public exposè of such questionable Chinese usages-and such apparent Chinese inhumanity-although the latter is certainly not a failing exhibited by members of the same clan or village to their neighbours. I therefore thought the (See page opportunity a good one for reviving an old plan to establish a Chinese hospital, and I enclose the Memo. in which I appointed a Commission to see what chance there was of raising the necessary funds, and to take all other steps most expedient for the purpose.

บ.)

14. I have great pleasure in now reporting that there is every prospect of establishing here a well conducted Chinese hospital near the site of the "I-Ts'z," which place has been renovated by the Chinese themselves at an expense of $2,000, and is now a suitable place of reception for a very limited number of patients of the poorer classes. At first I was inclined to think it ought to be altogether suppressed, but the immediate necessity for some such place became at once apparent from the great increase of dead bodies and dying patients found by the Police exposed in and near the town.

15. The intention therefore is to have the "I-Ts'z" maintained for the present as a temporary hospital for poor patients and the proper administration of medicine, food and hospital clothes. Hereafter all patients will be attended to in the new hospital and the rooms near the Temple will be reserved for storing as hitherto during the last 15 years the bodies of the dead whose relations can afford to pay the expense.

16. It has been my object to enlist active Chinese sympathy in the erection and future maintenance of the proposed hospital, because I think in addition to many other obvious and excellent moral advantages, it is politic, when possible, to place the Chinese in a position where they find themselves heartily co-operating with the local Government -a policy which I have followed with excellent results in the institution of the Native Police maintained by the Chinese entirely fron local voluntary subscriptions.

17. I have therefore proposed to contribute from funds at the disposal of Govern- ment $10,000 on the Chinese completing and paying into one of the Banks a subscrip- tion of $15,000. In addition I propose to give a site extremely suitable when levelled -the expense of which to be also defrayed by Government will be upwards of $3,000. It is very gratifying to see the alacrity and zeal which animate many of the leading Chinese here in issuing subscription lists and collecting the funds.

18. On the other hand, whilst allowing a Chinese Committee to exercise a general control over the management of the proposed hospital, it is agreed that the Governor shall have power to close it, and that all the land and buildings shall be forfeited to the Crown in the event of the Colonial Surgeon, Registrar General, and one other Officer deputed by the Governor reporting the place to be ill-conducted, and that it would be expedient to resuine the land. These arrangements are to be made by Ordinance.

19. I do not trouble your Lordship with references to the numerous Memoranda and reports connected with this subject. As might be expected every movement of the kind is attended with considerable trouble and voluminous details; but I have only sought to convey to your Lordship a clear understanding of the policy and necessity which call for the construction of some such building to meet certain Chinese special wants and prejudices, which are not provided for by the existing Civil Hospital-as