Sessional_Paper_1901 — Page 546

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Public Latrines.

The provision of these conveniences has not been entirely neglected, but great difficulty has been experienced in finling suitable sites which were at the same time in proximity to the more populous portions of the City or large villages. The difficulties arising out of the possibility of actions being brought against the Government in consequence of the establishment of such places were only overcome by the passing of the Latrines Ordinance in 1897. This Ordinance has not done away with the difficulty of finding sites but merely protects the Goverument in the manner indicated when the latrines have been built. Should strong opposition be raised to any site selected,

it may be found necessary to abandon it as was done in the case of one in the Tai-ping-shan District in consequence of the objections raised by the Directors of the Po Leung Kuk.

Daring 1881-89, a number of latrines, some of a permanent and some of a temporary character were erected in the City and Villages.

In 1899-91, two permanent latrines were built in the City and ten iron structures were erected in the principal villages of Hongkong und Kowloon.

More recently five permanent latrines, containing from 20-40 seats each, have been built in the City und another has been extended, whilst an iron latrine has been erected at Happy Valley.

Two large permanent latrines, containing 40 seats each, are in progress in the City and Yaumati and two more, of the same capacity, are about to be undertaken.

In addition to the above, latrine accommodation has been providel at the Central Market, Slangator H› 15es and other places, where large numbers of men are employel.

The total expenditure under this heading for the period under consileration amounts to $12,479.

Construction of Roads and Drains prior to Sale of Building Lots.

Rods are almost universally formed, where practicable, before land is sold adjoining them. d reference to Mr. Chadwick's Report will show that the object of this recommendation was to ensure the erection of the honses at a suitable level to admit of their being properly drained and, in cases where it is impracticable or incxpedicut to form the roads in advance, care is taken to see that this condition is complied with.

The cases referred to are those occurring in connection with the reclamation of foreshorės or the levelling of hills to form building sites, where it would obviously be imprudent and a gross waste of public funds to attempt to construct the roads by themselves in the first instance.

Miscellaneous Sanitary Works.

In allition to the works alrea ly described, several others of minor importance have been carried out. They include 10 public laundries, 20 tanks for washermen to carry on their operations in, under sanitary conditions, a Vaccine Institute and a Disinfecting Station, the combined cost of which amounts to $38,081.

Any one acquainted with the villages of Tai-kok-tsui, Mong-kok-tsui and Fun Tsun Heung as they existed 6 or 7 years ago, would find difficulty in recognizing them again to-day. It may safely be assertel that a revolution has been wrought in these and other villages.

Back Alleys and the Formation of a Fund to carry out large Sanitary Schemes.

It will scarcely create surprise that these recommendations have not been given effect to when it is borne in mind that, so recently as the end of 1892, wheu discussing the Estimates for the following year, the Member for the Chamber of Commerce stated "That our revenue is not of an "elastic nature is, I think, palpable, and it is more likely to shrink further in the future than even to "remain at its present figure."

Fortunately for the Colony, this evil prognostication has not been fulfilled but it appears to have been forgotten by the Chamber that such a statement was made by its representative only 81

years ago.

The foregoing summary of works accomplished shows clearly that large Sanitary Schemes have not been delayed on account of the non-existence of such a fund nor is it obvious how a fund could have been established in any other way than by raising a loan, seeing that it was necessary to obtain a loan in 1893 for the purpose of carrying on the large public works then in progress.