648
22
We would ask that the Bill may be referred to the Attorney General so that its phraseology may be altered, where necessary, to the legal form, and any flaws in its construction rectified, and we believe that if the Government can secure its adoption by the Legislative Council with only such alterations as the Attorney General may deem necessary, the Colony will possess an Ordinance which will gradually secure a great improvement in its general sanitary condition, and will lead to the suppression of those diseases which are dependent upon overcrowding and insanitary conditions for their propagation.
We have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servants,
OSBERT CHADWICK,
M. INST. C.E., M.I.M.E., C.M.G.
W. J. SIMPSON,
M.D., F.R.C.P.
SIR,
Appendix.
Mr. W. Danby to Chairman of Committee re the Housing of the Chinese.
HONGKONG. 10th July, 1894.
Having given much thought and attention for many years past to the practic- ability of introducing a better and more sanitary type of Dwelling House for the Chinese Working Classes of this Colony, I should be glad if you would lay the following suggestions, with accompanying plans, before the Committee, now sitting on the subject of House Accommodation for the Working Classes.
2. Before proceeding further, however, I may state, that I have probably designed and superintended the erection of more Chinese Houses in the Colony. than any other Architect, and am consequently well acquainted with their many defects, and the points on which improvements should be insisted upon, and also the objections likely to arise from property owners, when such improvements are first proposed. At the present time, so long as the plans of proposed Chinese Houses comply with the requirements of the existing Building and Public Health Ordinances, we Architects are powerless to introduce such improvements as we should like, if our clients refuse to adopt our suggestions, which they almost invariably do.
somewhat
3. In preparing the accompanying design. I have adopted a different type of building, to what we have at present in the Colony, a departure to which at first sight some objections will probably be raised by some of the Chinese owners of property. I have, however, shewn and explained the general design to many Chinese, who after going into it, have expressed theinselves much pleased with it, and are of opinion that it is a type of building which would eventually become popular with the Working and Coolie classes.
4. The plans sent herewith have been more especially designed for the large blocks of vacant ground at Kennedy Town, of which the Hon. C. P. CHATER is Crown Lessee, their respective numbers being Inland Lots Nos. 953-954 and part
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