Page
March 12, 1898.]
THE CONTROL OF INPECTED AREAS. The question raised at the last meeting as to whether the Board could prevent persons from leaving a place which had been declared infected under the provisions of by-law 12 of Schedule A of Ordinance 17 of 1887 having been referred to the Crown Solicitor for his opinion, the papers were again laid on the table.
11
are
The following minutes were appended The CROWN SOLICITOR-I am of opinion that the words of by law No. 12, And take such steps to prevent the spread of disease as it deems necessary" would entitle the Board to forbid the movement of persons into, within, or out of an infected place or area. Section 2 of Ordinance 17 of 1887, under which the Governor in Council has power to make by-laws, appears to me to restrict the powers of the Sanitary Board, and I doubt whether the above words, "And take such steps to prevent the spread of disease as it deems necessary justified by sub-section 3, of Section 17 of 1887. The words used there are, "Authorising the Sani- tary Board to declare places to be infected with disease, and to prohibit, the removal of any animal, fodder, litter, utensil, or other thing from such place." Under the Diseases of Animals Act 1894, Section 22, the Board of Agriculture may make orders " for probibiting or regulating the movement of animals and persons into, with in, or out of an infected place or area," but a similar power does not appear to have been con- ferred upon the Governor in Council, under Ordinance 17 of 1887.
The PRESIDENT-But surely by-law 12 must have been referred to the Attorney-General before the Governor in Council. It appears to me that lawyers differ quite as much as doctors. Please consult the Attorney-General in the matter.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL-Please pass to President of Sanitary Board. I am of opinion that on reading the by-laws and the Ordinance 17 of 1887, on which alone their validity depends, the Sanitary Board has no power to prevent a man leaving a place declared to be infected with cattle disease. To enable the Board to possess such power further legislation would be necessary. But probably the Dairy Farm Manager, if re- quested, would take steps to see that people did not go into the infected area unnecessarily, and if care is taken to see that those who leave wash and then change their clothes, I cannot see that the Board can do more. If old clothes are de-
stroyed (under Section 4) in disinfecting, they are to be paid for out of the public revenue.
A discussion ensued and the PRESIDENT moved that the Board recommend the Government to
amend the Ordinance so that the Board shall have power to prevent people from learing an infected area.
Mr. EDE seconded. Carried.
FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE.
The report of the Committee concerning the enforcement of by-laws 6 and 7, schedule A, Ordinance 17 of 1887, stated that cases of foot and mouth disease continued to arrive in the colony, but they were not so numerous as at the date of the first report. This pointed to the gradual dying out of the disease on the mainland.
RECEPTION LAIRS.
A letter was read from the Colonial Veterin- ary Surgeon pointing out the need for re- ception lairs for cattle at Kennedytown, and it was resolved to recommend the erection of lairs.
MORTALITY STATISTICS,
For the week ended 26th February the death rate was 29.1, as against 20.9 for the correspond. ing period, of last year. For the week ended 5th March the rate was 22.2, as against 23.1 for the corresponding period of last year.
SMALLPOX AND PLAGUE.
The PRESIDENT asked the Medical Officer of Health if Districts Nos. 5 and 9 could be declared free of smallpox.
The MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH--They might be. The only thing is that if these districts were declared free I should be inclined to ask the Board to declare them infected with plague. The men who were engaged banting for-smallpox cases have found plague cases. Smallpox cases have decreased, but there are two or three cases of plague a day.
ADJOURNMENT.
|
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPÓRT.
THE EXPLOSION ON THE U.S.S. "MAINE.”
THE NUMBER OF KILLED AND INJURED.
An officer of the American Navy has kindly furnished us with further particulars concern- ing the terrible explosion which occurred on board the American armoured cruiser Maine whilst anchored in Havana barbour. The particulars were wired by the American Admir. alty in response to a telegram sent by the officers of the American warships now in Hong- kong harbour. The two officers killed were Lieutenant Jenkins and Engineer Merritt. Two hundred and forty men lost their lives, fifty-one were injured, and only nineteen of the crew of three hundred and ten souls escaped uninjured. Divers are now engaged in examin- ing the wreck with a view of ascertaining the real cause of the explosion.
MESSAGES OF CONDOLENCE,
received by the Commodore Dewey, of the flag- The following letter and telegrams have been ship Olympia :·
Government House,
Hongkong, 21st February, 1897.
fication of the great calamity which has be-
Sir, I yesterday received your official noti fallen the U.S. Battleship Maine, and write to assure you of the deep sympathy which in com- mon with the inhabitants I feel for you and your officers in this time of national mourning.
The half masted flags of the British ships in the harbour show truly our feelings in this time of sorrow and loss.-I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant,
(Signed) W. BLACK,
M. General,
Officer Administering the Government.
Port Arthur, 25th February, 1898. To Commodore Dewey.
I beg you to accept most sincere condolence from Russian Pacific Squadron regarding heavy loss sustained by the United States Navy through the explosion of the Maine.
Rear Admiral DOUBASSOFF.
Hongay, March 5, 1898.
To Commodore Dewey,
On board Olympia at Hongkong.
I have received at Hongay the confirmation happened to the Maine; I hasten to address you of the news of the frightful accident which has
in my name and in the name of the naval force I command and beg you to transmit to all the officers and men under your command the ex- pression of our most sincere sympathy on the misfortune which has befallen the gallant navy of the United States.
Rear Admiral de LABEDOLLIERE.
A CHINESE LIBRARY AND READING ROOM.
The following circular has been issued in connection with the proposed establishment of a Chinese library and reading room :—
Fifty odd years have passed away since Hong- kong became a British Colony, but sad to say there has never been one genuine movement for the peaceful union of the educated members of the Chinese community (colonial born and residents) of the Colony in the education, or for the improvement of their social position.
Canse
of
It is painful to think of this callousness and the lack of manly spirit and enterprise.
We in Hongkong had the first opportunity of becoming acquainted with modern civiliza. tion, and the world's progress, but, instead of seizing the opportunity to benefit and educate ourselves and others in the ways at our disposal, we remain indifferent and allow such Treaty Ports as Shanghai, &o., to take the lead.
Shanghai has now its literary and debating clubs, libraries, industrial, mining, agricultural, and medical societies, to date magazines, newspapers, translated books, and numerous other exemplary works, the fruit of energy, en- terprise and dogged perseverance. But where are we? Instead of setting an example we have been eclipsed by our Northern rival!
As the existing deplorable state of affairs should be remedied it has been resolved, as a
The Board then adjourned until Thursday preliminary step, to establish a permanent
Weak.
|
|
183
library and reading room to be supported annual public subscription.
It is intended to run the library on the same lines as those of the City Hall Library of this colony.
The library will contain Chinese and English books, translated works, and current magasines and newspers (Chinese and English), and it will be enlarged as the funds of the library permit.
Books, &c., will be purchased, and donations gratefully received.
Objects(1) To improve the knowledge, (2) to further education and learning, (3) tó trans- late and publish books, &c., (4) to encourage social intercourse between Chinese and Euro- peans.
Gentlemen who approve of this movement are respectfully requested to give their support moral or otherwise,
TSE TSAN Tai.
Hongkong, January, 1898.
THE WATER SUPPLY.
On 1st March, 1898, the water in Tytam Re- servoir was 18 ft. below the overflow, represent ing a storage of 256,600,000 gallons, while the water in Pokfulam Reservoir was 5 ft. 11 in. be- low the overflow, representing a storage of 54,154,000 gallons. The total storage was thus 311,054,000 gallons.
The following are the figures on the corres- ponding dates last year :—
Tytam... Pokfulam
Level 14 ft. 1 in. 284,488,000 .12 ft. 8 in.
Storage
38,398,000
Total... ..322,886,000 The total consumption for all purposes during February was 78,947,000 gallons, giving with an estimated population of 177,450 an average daily consumption of 15.9 gallons per head.
For the corresponding period last year the total consumption was 66,657,000 gallons, or an average daily consumption of 14.1 gallons per head for the population of 169,000.
The Government Analyst reports the water to be of excellent quality.
QUARANTINE AGAINST HONG- KUNG IN NETHERLANDS
INDIA.
Mr. F. J. Haver Droeze, Consul-General for the Netherlands, informs as that the Governor- General of Netherlands-India has decreed that all ships or vessels arriving from Hongkong or having called at this port are subject to a qua- rantine of nine days from the date of departure from this port or since the last case of plague on board.
Importation into Netherlands-India of butter, eatables, rags, wool, hair, skins, or hides and far arriving from Hongkong, either directly or with transhipment, is prohibited till further notice.
Any infringement of the prohibition of im. portation of the above mentioned articles into Netherlands-India will be punished, for Euro. peans with imprisonment, and for natives Chinese with hard labour, for a period of from fourteen days to one year, or with a fine of between 25 and 500 guilders.
THE VOYAGE OF THE “COPTION
DAMAGED IN A STORM.
The O. & O. steamer Coptic arrived on Sun. day last and has gone into dock to repair damage, The Japan Herald of the 24th February gives the following account of the voyage from San Francisco to Yokohama:→
The Q. & O. steamer Coptic anchored in Yokohama harbour at about 11.30 this morn ing, twenty days out from San Francisco, and four days beyond her schedule time, having been due here on Saturday last. The explanation of the delay may be derived from an inspection of her forward deck, usually occupied by the forecastle, but which, in the case of the O.&.Q. liner, now no longer exists. This part of the vessel is simply termed the turtle back, carry- ing a breakwater to throw off heavy sees, leg to protect the entrance to the crew's and oth quarters underneath this protection. In ite place is a confused, chaotic mass of broken iron and timber, bearing silent though eloquent, timony to the frightful violence of the was over
1
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.