Sessional_Paper_1898 — Page 529

SIR,

[ VI ]

Appendix No. 4.

THE INSANITARY PROPERTIES COMMISSION,

HONGKONG, 7th August, 1896.

I am directed to request you to be good enough to furnish me at your early con- venience, for the use of the Commission, with a complete list with plans attached shewing the insanitary properties in the Colony divided into three separate and distinct classes such as bad, worse, worst.

I have the honour to be,

The Honourable

F. A. COOPER,

Director of Public Works,

$c.,

$0.

&c.

Sir.

Your most obedient Servant,

A. SETH,

Secretary.

Appendix No. 5.

Public Works Department.

No. 417.

SIR,

PUBLIC WORKS Office, HONGKONG, 8th August, 1896.

In reply to your letter of the 7th instant requesting me to furnish you with a complete list with plans shewing the insanitary properties in the Colony divided into three separate and distinct classes such as bad, worse, worst, I have the honour to inform you that I have not the necessary information for the preparation of the plans and lists required.

2. I have further to point out that the proposed classification appears to be so vague as to render it impossible for me to compile the lists required without further information as to what the terms bad, worse and worst are intended by the Committee to imply.

3. I can hardly think that the Committee have any idea of the enormous amount of work entailed in complying with their request, and would submit for their favourable consideration that, in the first instance, the Medical Officer of Health and myself should prepare for their information a general report accompanied by plans on the conditions of the buildings from a sanitary point of view dealing with such matters as appear to us to bear on the subject referred to the Commission.

4. I may, however, add that owing to the comprehensive nature of the enquiry it will probably be found advisable in such a report to deal with certain portions of the Colony and certain classes of defects first.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

FRANCIS A. COOPER,

Lirector of Public Works.

A. SETH, ESQ.,

Secretary,

Insanitary Properties Commission.