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number of other officials there, the Observatory and Sanitary Inspectors. In additio n we require one of the Assistant Surgeons to be resident at Kennedy Town Hospital during plague epidemics.
Colonel HUGHES.-What will he do when plague is not epidemic?
Dr. ATKINSON.—Assist wherever he is required and reside at Kowloon.
Dr. STEDMAN. Have you any idea of the average number of patients at the Gaol ? Dr. ATKINSON-There are not many patients at the Gaol Hospital. I should say something under 20. The officer has to examine in addition every fresh prisoner, cer- tify as to his ability for hard work or otherwise, see any prisoners who complain of being sick, and attend the officers of the Prison and their families. He has to examine every prisoner on whom corporal punishment is to be inflicted.
Dr. STEDMAN. How many hours is he employed at the Gaol ?
Dr. ATKINSON.- -As a rule about an hour to an hour and a half daily, in addition once a week he makes an inspection of the Gaol.
Dr. STEDMAN. Have you any idea of the number of visits the doctor will have to pay to the subordinate officials under $2,000 a year?
Dr. ATKINSON.-It varies so.
Dr. STEDMAN. -Have you any idea of the number of subordinate Government officials ?
Dr. ATKINSON. It averages, I think, 450; including Chinese this was the number
in 1895.
Dr. STEDMAN. Excluding their families?
Dr. ATKINSON.
-Yes.
Dr. STEDMAN. And he would have to attend the families too if they were sick?
Dr. ATKINSON. Yes, and they are scattered about-some living at the West and others at the East end of the Town.
Colonel HUGHES.-Is this work and the Gaol enough for one man?
Dr. ATKINSON.—Yes, I think so.
The Chairman.-Who did the work at Kenne ly Town during last summer?
Dr. ATKINSON.--Dr. THOMSON; he was deputed for that work, and another Medi- cal Officer was obtained temporarily to perform the other duties, viz., act as Visiting Surgeon to the Tung Wah, Medical Officer to the Gaol and attend the subordinate officials.
Dr. STEDMAN. He is still doing this work, is'nt he?
Dr. ATKINSON. Yes, he is now doing this, as Dr. THOMSON has gone away on leave.
Colonel HUGHES.-Is this anything like what you want? One Principal Civil Medical Officer, one Superintendent and one Assistant at the Hospital ?
Dr. ATKINSON.—Yes.
Colonel HUGHES.-One man for the Gaol and subordinates, one for Kennedy Town and one for Kowloon. That is five Assistants; there are only three now?
Dr. ATKINSON.—Yes, it must be borne in mind we really require an extra man because there will always be one away on leave.
Mr. Suake.—Who looks after Kowloon now?
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