326
HONGKONG SANITARY BOARD.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
A meeting of the Sanitary Board was held ou Thursday afternoon, Mr. F. H. May, Vice-Pre- sident, presiding. There were also present Hon. F. A Cooper, Director of Public Works, Dr. Atkinson, Acting Colonial Surgeon, Surgeon- Major Westcott, Acting Medical Officer, and Mr. H. McCallum, Secretary. The unofficial members-Dr. Hartigan, Mr. J. J. Francis. Q.C., Mr. R. K. Leigh, and Dr. Ho Kai did not attend the meeting. Dr. Hartigan and Dr. Ho Kai came into the room before the pro- ceedings commenced. and after a private con- sultation with the Vice-President retired, as an answer to the resolution sent to the Government on Monday has not yet been received.
THE RESIGNATIONS “NOTED.” Letters were read from the Colonial Seore- tary stating that the resignation of Mr. Francis and Mr. Leigh had been noted.
THE GOVERNMENT AND THE BOARD The following letter was read from the Co- lonial Secretary:-"25th April.-With reference to the report of the proceedings at the recent meeting of the Sanitary Board, I am directed by the Governor to request the Board to be good enough to furnish me, for his Excellency's in- formation, with the list of its recommendations during the past year-(A) for additional powers, (B) for increase of staff, and to state how they have been dealt with by the Government. I am so to state for the information of the Board tat his Excellency is advised that under the laws at present in force the Board has ample powers to deal effectively with the sanitation of the colony and with epidemics. I shall be obliged if you will lay this letter before the Board at the meeting announced for this after- noon."
The VICE PRESIDENT-The reply to this letter is really very simple. What was referred to by Mr. Francis was not the powers of the Board now, but the powers it had during the time that the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce complained that the Board bad neglected its duty. I think we might give the information asked for and point out that the remarks did not have reference to the present time.
The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS moved that the letter be answered and that the in- formation asked for be given within a reasonable time. The reply would involve a lot of labour.
The resolution was carried
PLAGUE AT MACAO.
The SECRETARY read a communication from the Colonial Secretary containing the following letter which had been received from Her Ma- jesty's Consul at Swatow :-
My dear Lockhart, I am sorry to say that I think it is incumbent on me to let the Hongkong Government know, for the present privately, that the Medical Oficer bas reported that cases of plague have occurred sporadically in Swatow since 15th March. He assures me positively that there are at present no signs of its being epidemic. Two cases were reported to me yesterday as having occurred in the same Chinese hong-one on Monday, 5th inst.. and the other on Saturday, 20th inst., both terminating fatally. My information on the sub. Jeet may be relied on Mr. Layng, the Medical Officer, is closely in touch with the Chinese Mis- sionary Hospital here, at which very large num- bers of Chinese are treated. I cannot fail, if plague assumes anything approaching an epidemio form or even if these sporadic cases increase, to let you have early and accurate information. As yet it is quite certain that the disease is sporadio merely, not epidemic, but it is present in watow, and it is of course impossible to say hat may occur.-I am, &c., B. C. George Boott.
The VICE-PRESIDENT-I move that a strict medical examination be made of all persons arriving from Swatow and Canton.
The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS-I second that.
Carried.
THE PERMANENT COMMITTEE.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY wrote stating that the Sanitary Board had power to fill up Vacancies that might occur on the Permanent
Committee.
The VICE-PRESIDENT said that as far as he could see two of the officers who served in the past would not have the pleasure of serving on the Permanent Committee again. He did not know
whether there was anyone present who would like to make up the trio.
The ACTING MEDICAL OFFICER said he was not quite sure whether he would have time to serve, and he therefore asked for time to consider the matter. He was willing to give all the time he could, but he had to perform his professional duties as well.
-
The VICE-PRESIDENT said the amount of work depended entirely upon the extent of the epidemic. Last year for five months three men were occupied every day, from early in the morn. ing until seven o'clock at night.
The ACTING MEDICAL OFFICER-I might serve, I think
The VICE-PRESIDENT-Perhaps you will serve until the epidemic became serious?
|
The ACTING MEDICAL OFFICER-Yes. The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS said he was not at all satisfied with the appointment of a Permanent Committee, as it did not meet the re- quirements. The Board had now a great deal of work to do in the sanitation of this colony, and it was most desirable that the work should be to some extent divided amongst the members of the Board and that the Board should be empowered to appoint not one Committee only but Com- mittees, as might be considered necessary, to carry out its functions. He moved the Board be empowered to appoint select Com- mittees to represent itself and exercise all powers and authorities when necessary or advisable." | That resolution could be forwarded to the Govern- mout, as he considered that the present condi. tion of the sanitation of the colony called for the appointment of the Committees.
"That
The VICE-PRESIDENT In the meantime the Permanent Committee consists of Francis Henry May.
The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS-You could not have a better man.
The VICE-PRESIDENT said at the present time he could not spare time to serve. Some one was wanted to do the work, as there was a lot to be done. The Committee ought to be appointed now. Let the Government be asked to appoint select Committees by all means.
"{May'1, 1895. officers of the Sanitary Board be instructed to give every assistance and furnish such inform- ation as lay in their power to the Medical Officer of Health.
The ACTING COLONIAL SURGEON seconded. Carried.
THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH'S SCHEME.
The following letter was read :- To the President, Sanitary Board.
23rd April, 1895. Sir,-Having been requested to submit a general scheme for the performance of my duties by the Honourable the Colonial Secretary. I have the honour tion of the Board. I propose, firstly, to make myself to forward the following brief outline for the informa acquainted with the existing arrangements for the sanitation of the colony, the housing, water supply, disposal of refuse, sewerage, &c., by tracing the chan. hal of supervision and execution from the Superior trict, which I might represent in tabular form. Sanitary Authority to the lowest detail in each dis- Superior Authority. (Sanitary Board.)
No. 1.
District Inspector. Watchmen.
Scavenging coolies
No. 2.
No. 3. No.
District Inspector. &c. &c.
Ditto.
supplied by contractors. Number of houses. Number of inhabitants. Water supply-wells, &c. Housing.
Ditto.
ments of each district will be submitted for the in. A report on the existing conditions and require. formation of the Board.
Reports and recommendations on mortality, opi- demics, public buildings, &c., will also be furnished.
Willing assistance will be offered in dealing with any matter which the Sanitary Board may bring for. ward in connection with the sanitation of the colony.
I have the honour to be, &c,
S. WESTCOTT,
Acting Medical Officer of Health. SHEEP AND SWINE DEPOTS.
that the alterations, improvements, and addi- The COLONIAL SECRETARY wrote stating tions suggested to the sheep and swine depots will be duly executed.
THE NEW CENTRAL MARKET. A letter was read from the Colonial Secretary The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS said the stating that the new Central Market was ex- only reason for continuing the Permanent Com-pected to be ready for occupation on the 1st mittee was that if we were unfortunate enough prox. to have the plague in the colony it would be wise to have the same persons undertaking the duties again; but as two of the members had gone away on leave, and another was about to go away, he did not think there was any neces- sity for continuing the Permanent Committee.
The VICE-PRESIDENT-You must have some- body immediately responsible, and to take action at a moment's notice. You may have a case to morrow, and who is going to look after it? There are fifty things to be done almost at once.
The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS-The President and the Vice-President are responsible between the meetings of the Board. I am quite
sure that the Vice-President will receive all the support that can possibly be given to him by the official members of this Board.
The VICE-PRESIDENT asked whether it was desired that the vacancies should not be filled. He was quite willing to second Mr. Cooper's resolution, which was a very good one.
He was
The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS said he did not think that the appointments on the Per- manent Committee should be made. quite willing to render assistance to the Board or to any one else in the colony during the plague. The resolution was thereupon put to the meeting and carred.
THE APPOINTMENT OF MEDICAL OFFICER of
HEALTH.
A letter was read from the Colonial Secretary concerning the appointment of Surgeon-Major S. Westcott, A.M.S., as Acting Health Officer and member of the Sanitary Board, and forward- ing the duties of the Health Officer.
The following minute was attached :- Dr. Hartigan. Most of the clauses of the instruc- tions of the Local Government Board from which these are adapted, which would have made the Health Officer of practical utility to the Sanitary Board, have been either altered or entirely omitted. Why?
The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS said that he was quite sure that any gentleman appointed on this Board as Health Officer would always be willing, not only to advise the Board, but also to give the Board any assistance in his power. It was most important that the officers of the Board should render him every assistance and information. He therefore moved that the
THE PLAGUE NEAR CANTON. The COLONIAL SECRETARY wrote that Her Majesty's Consul at Canton reported that the plague had appeared at Chan Tsun, about twelve miles to the south of Canton.
MORTALITY STATISTICS.
The death rate for the week ended 6th April ing week of last year, and for the week ended was 18.8, as compared with 21.3 in the correspond- 13th April 18.5 per 1,000 per annum as com- pared with 23.3 in the corresponding week of
│"
last
year.
THE DRAINAGE AT SHAUKIWAN. To the President, Sanitary Board.
The Acting Medical Officer of Health wrote
23rd April, 1895. Sir, I have the honour to report that the drainage of Shaukiwan requires attention, as there is a soak. age of soil-the nullah from the upper of the two wells is terraced with a series of quagmires, and the require re-cementing.-I have the honour to be, &o., drains from many of the houses are worn out and
8. WESTCOTT,
Acting Medical Officer of Health LANDLORDS STRONGLY CONDEMNED.
am
#
The VICE-PRESIDENT-Gentlemen, about to take leave of this colony to go home on leave. Before I bid farewell to the Board, which I may probably never see again, I wish to make one or two remarks about sanitary matters in this colony Recently an august body, called the Chamber of Commerce, through its Chair-.. man, made an attack upon this Board, which I shall be neglecting my duty if I do not in some sense answer. The principal charges which “ were made against this Board in a letter were-→ that this Board, although it made by-laws, the year 1891, against overcrowding of commỏn that lodging houses, did not enforce those by-laws;
and
Was
its supervision of the maintenance i cleanliness inside bouses in this. colony was 80 bad that the plague enabled last year to claim a deep-rooted hold. upon this colony, and to wreck the prosperity of the colony during several months. Now, gon: tlemen, as regards the first charge, I fear it has been made in considerable ignorance-an ignor-a ance which is more surprising when you consider that only recently, 15th August last, when I moved the enforcement of the by-laws which are now rigidly put in force, I gave a history of the
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