Sessional_Paper_1908 — Page 289

Infants.

DUMPED BODIES.

192

KOWLOON.

Others.

Plague Cases.

Small-pox Cases.

Total.

1905..

171

83

259

96

1906....

275

176

451

220

35

1907

226

122

848

104

56

The dispensaries in Victoria will extend their activity in one direction still further in 1908. The directors of the Tung Wa Hospital have made an arrangement to employ the dispensary coolies in removing patients and dead bodies to the hospital instead of employing -as they do now-outside undertakers. It is hoped that this arrangement will put a stop to the irregularities which it is believed were connected with the old system. (See my report for 1904.)

The piece of ground in Kau Ue Fong bought in 1905 for a dispensary has been found small and in May a yearly permit was obtained to occupy an additional piece of land on which to build a shed for the ambulance and dead-box.

12.-District Plague Hospitals.

Progress has been made during the year in the provision of District Plague Hospitals- The hospital at West Point which continues to occupy houses Nos. 63 and 65 Third Street was kept upon throughout the year, and nine cases were received.

were received. Six died on the day of admission, two on the second day, and the ninth was discharged after 23 days. It is hoped within the next year to secure permanent quarters for this hospital. In Wanchai four sites for a hospital have been under consideration, but so far negotiations have not been successful. In the central district the directors of the Tung Wa Hospital have taken the matter in hand and have made proposals to the Government. In Kowloon City an applica- tion from the local committee to adapt and repair one of the old buildings inside the city was granted, and the building was rendered fit for occupation by the end of September. In Hunghom an isolated building-No. 86A Des Voeux Road West--has been rented by the local committee and put in proper repair. In Yaunati the committee are in treaty for two semi- detached houses in a suitable locality.

Out of the vote "Charitable Allowances-Vote for District Hospitals," $1,100 have been granted to the West Point Hospital, $480 to the one at Kowloon City and $365 to the lunghom hospital.

13.-Chinese Recreation Ground. (See Table X.)

The disposal of the balance to the credit of this Fund has been under consideration during the year but nothing has been settled. The schemes proposed depend on the carrying out of other proposals which have not so far been put into effect. The ground is intended to be simply an open space where people can stroll about and sit under the trees, and is nade full use of in the summer. An attempt has now been made to further improve its appearance without curtailing to any extent the space available for recreation, by contracting with a gardener to display 100 pot-plants on the ground, and this has relieved the bareness somewhat. Additional seats have also been provided.