*December 9, 1896.]
THE TUNG WAH HOSPITAL.
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THE GOVERNOR AND THE NEW DIRECTORS. On Thursday morning H.E. the Governor met the newly elected Directors of the Tung Wah Hospital in the Council Chamber. The Colonial Secretary, and Hon. Dr. Ho Kai were also present.
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The COLONIAL SECRETARY introduced the new Directors, who are as follows:-Messrs. Lo Tez-tanng (of Messrs. Arnhold, Karberg & Co.), Lia Tsz-shan (of the China Merchants' Steam Navigation Co.), Yung Chiu-po (of Mr. J. D. Hutchison's firm), Wong Shap-shan (of the Wo Ki Nam Pak Hong), Li Sui-shek (of the Kwong Mi Un Californian Hong), Chan Hiu-tung (of the Him Un opium firm), Leung Lu-kai (of the Chi Tseung pawnbroker), Kwok In-Un (of Austrian Lloyds Steam Navigation Co.), Wong Sing tung (of the Fuk Lan U Kau Pat Hong), Lau Tsz-fan (of the Shin Lun piece goods shop); Tai Yat-hing (of the Kin Fat Rice shop), Fan Pat-shan (of the Sun Hing cotton yarn firm).
His: EXCELLENCY said-Gentlemen, I am very pleased to meet you to-day and I con- gratulate the members of the. Tung Wah Hospital Corporation on the section of the Committee elected to administer the affairs of the hospital during the next year. I am especially glad to observe that the three mem- bers of the Committee who are entrusted with the management of its financial affairs and whom the chief share of the executive work falls are gentlemen who have been long con- nected with Hongkong and who possess a know- ledge of English. I trust that this is a sign that the Corporation as represented by its Committee is prepared to take steps to improve the present condition of the hospital. That such improvement is necessary I am fully convinced. You are aware that some time ago I appointed a Commission to enquire into the hospital. That Commission has sent in its reports, which will be published. All the members of the Commission are unani- mous in praising the good work done by the hospital in the past, but they all consider that in the interests of the sick and destitute who make use of the hospital and with a view to their comfort improvements should be effected. In the views of the members of the Commission I entirely concur and I now wish to inform you that it is my intention, without undue delay, to give you every. assistance to place the hospital above criticism so far as its sanitary main- tenance and the cleanliness of the patients who make use of it are concerned. To effect this desirable object I am about to appoint a steward whose sole time and attention are to be devoted to maintaining the hospital and its inmates in a sanitary and cleanly condition.. You, gentlemen, are merchants whose time is much engrossed by your own affairs, and though you, out of the goodness of your hearts, are willing to sacrifice both time and money whilst managing the affairs of the hospital, it is not reasonable to expect that you can attend to all the minute though important details which are involved in the management of an institution such as the Tang Wah, I feel sure, therefore, that the ap- pointment of a steward which I propose to make will be welcomed by you not only on account of the improvement in the cleanliness of the hospital and the patients which it will effect, but also because it will relieve you from being directly responsible for details which you cannot possibly find time to attend to. When this steward has been appointed I am con- fident that complaints as to unclean hospital clothing and bedding and unwashed and unshaved patients will cease. You must be as desirous as I am that the hospital should be maintained in a thoroughly sanitary condition and that due provision should be made for the cleanliness and comfort of the patients. I can therefore rely upon your doing every thing to help the newly appointed steward to ont his duties in such a manner as will bring credit to the institution, the reputation of which should be jealously guarded by you. Having touched on the sanitary maintenance hospital and the cleanliness of
I now come to a more
delicate viz the treatment accorded to the who are admitted to the hospital. I that hitherto all patients admitted to the hospital have been treated according to
The deputation then withdrew.
THE TAIPINGSHAN IMPROVEMENT"
WORKS.
The following report on the progress of the Taipingshan Improvement Works was laid before the Legislative Council on Thursday
Public Works Office,
Hongkong, 11th August, 1896. Sir, In accordance with the instructions of His Excellency the Governor contained in C.S.O. 1373/1896 dated the 12th June last, I have the honour to forward the following re- port upon the progress of the Taipingshan Im- provement Works.
2. As a good deal of misunderstanding ap- pears to exist as to the improvement of the area resumed, I propose briefly to record the proceedings that have been adopted with respect to the resumption and subsequent improvement of this ares.
RESUMPTION.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE KEPURI. methods in which the Chinese. believe. Now 'no countenance. If I discover any one I do not propose on the present occasion to to stir up trouble, ~ and by mis-re criticise those methods, but I wish it to be tion creating bad feeling, I will take clearly understood that it is not my inten- steps to deal with such a person, Persons of tion to interfere with them. But while this kind not only get themselves into trouble treatment according to Chinese views is but give rise to suggestions which if carried out not to be abolished, I consider that patients would be a burden to the Chinese. For example, in the Tung Wah Hospital should be given it has been suggested that a poor rate should be an opportunity of exercising an option and charged on the Chinese resident here to support should be allowed to see doctors versed in the destitute Chinese sick, who should be looked methods which are not Chinese and if they after by the Government. If matters are carried desire to be treated by such doctors every on properly and harmoniously at the Tung facility of being so treated should be afforded Wah no such rate need be contemplated, and, to them. Many of you, gentlemen, are no I am certain you gentlemen will do all in your doubt believers in Chinese treatment, but there power to promote harmony and to advance the are also among you some who have availed welfare of the hospital and of those who are themselves of treatment by European doctors. | admitted to it. I rely upon you, therefore, to Why should patients in the Tung Wah Hos-co-operate cordially with me. We have exactly pital not have an opportunity of doing the the same object in view the kind and humano same thing? As a Governor of a British treatment of the diseased, and the healing and, colony I think it is my duty to afford them if possible, curing of those who are sick unto the opportunity, which should not be confined death. I have had some copies of these remarks to the rich only, but which should be also printed in Chinese, and they will be given to extended to the poor. I therefore intend to you for your information. appoint a Chinese trained in Western medical science to reside at the Tang Wah and to treat any patients who may desire to be treated by him. You must understand that no com- pulsion of any kind is to be used. If the patient prefers Chinese treatment, no one is to prevent him from having it. But if on the other hand he desires to receive European treat- ment, a medical man will be resident in the hospital who can treat him. I feel sure I can rely upon your explaining the position to the Chinese community or kaifong for whom you are acting. I am quite aware that Chinese are very conservative and are not in favour of change. It is not improbable therefore that many will still continue to be treated by the Chinese doctors in the hospital, but it is not at the same time unlikely that some will ask to havo the benefit of the advice and treatment of the doctor trained in Western medical science. In any case I shall feel that I have done my best to give all classes of the community an equal chance of being treated according to methods to which I, of course, regard as the best, and if they still prefer to adhere to their own doctors they cannot say they have not been afforded an opportunity of having what I am bound to regard as better treatment. I am very glad to learn from a report dated 23rd November from Dr. Atkinson that six patients who were in the Tung Wah Hospital were transferred, at their own request, to the Government Civil Hospital. This leads me to believe that if the benefits of Western treat- 4. On the 10th of November, 1894, shortly ment are explained to those who cannot be after my return from leave, ascertaining that cured by Chinese treatment, and gradually are the Government had taken no steps whatever realised by practical experience, it will not be for the valuation, on behalf of the ratepayers of long before the prejudice which exists among the Colony, of the claims that would be made in many Chinese against Western medical methods respect of the properties resumed, I addressed will be minimised and, as time progresses, a letter No. 886, C.S.O. 2889/1894, to the Gov- entirely removed. In the interests of suffer-ernment on the subject, and the work was en- ing humanity such a consummation is greatly trusted to the Colonial Treasurer, the Deputy to be desired and it will be a source of gratifi- Land Officer, and myself. cation to me if any action on my part contri- butes towards such a desirable result. I am therefore anxious that the doctor who is to reside at the hospital should possess an ac- quaintance with the English tongne suffi- cient to enable him to explain fully to the patients in the Tung Wah Hospital what the Visiting Surgeon may wish to be told to them regarding their diseases and to act as interpreter to the Visiting Justices and others who visit the hospital. The Colonial Surgeon has hitherto acted as the Visiting Surgeon at the Tang Wah Hospital. But that officer has so many other duties to perform that he cannot give the time and attention required for such an important duty as that of visiting and in- specting the Tung Wah Hospital. I therefore hope to be able to appoint an officer whose sole duty will be to visit the Tung Wah Hos. pital and who will be at all times ready to give the Committee the benefit of his advice and assistance. I trust to be able to secure for this appointment the services of a medical gentle- man who is well known to and highly respected by the Chinese community of this colony. Now, gentlemen,, it has been hinted to me that there may be opposition to the appointments I propose to make.. Lam at a loss to understand where such opposition is likely to arise, but should it ocour I rely upon you to give it
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3.-Under the provisions of Ordinance 8 of 1894, the area now known as the "Resumed area of Taipingshan," the area of private pro- perty being 6.25 acres in extent, was resumed on the 26th day of September, 1894. Under - the provision of section 7, no houses on the lands resumed could be altered, pulled down, or destroyed pending the publication of the list referred to in section 6, sub-section 3.
5.-The preparation of the necessary plans and the collection of the information required naturally occupied a considerable time, and the Board which was appointed under the provisions of section 5 of Ordinance 8 of 1894 on the 10th November, 1894, did not hear any claims till the 27th December, 1894, and did not publish the list required under section 6 till: 9th March, 1895, Government Gazette, page 165, and the enquiry was not completed and the awards published till the 18th May, Covernment Gazette, page 519.
6.-During the greater portion of this period, viz., from December to March, my own time and that of other officers of the Department was to a large extent occupied in attending to the ordinary routine work of the Department and the valuation of the several properties (118 lots aud 417 houses) included in this area, and subsequent attendance at the arbitration. A special report upon this subject dated the 6th March, 1895, will be found in Sessional Paper 11 of 1895.
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. 7.-On the 25th March, 1895 I submitted a report, Sessional Paper 14 of 1895, and project for the Improvement of the Resumed These were referred to the Publice. mittees on the 11th April, 1895, an the 23rd May, 1895, the members requiring
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