October 15, 1898. |
liquors, have the honour to forward herswith the evidence taken by us and, our opinion there. où.
2.-The Commission was appointed because there was a strong opinion in some quarters that deleterious liquors were being sold in the colony, which were doing a great deal of mischief to soldiers and sailors. After the second meeting of the Commission on the 25th February, Mr. Wodehouse, Dr. Hartigan, and Mr. McCallum left the colony, so, in order to complete the investigation, it was necessary to ask the Government to appoint others so as to enable a quorum of members to be present at the sittings of the Commission. Captain Hast- ings, R.N,, was appointed a member and Chair- man in place of Mr. Wodehouse, and the other two vacancies were not filled up. Subsequently, with but three members it was found to be impossible on two occasions to have a quorum present, so an additional member was asked for and Dr. F. O. Stedman was appointed.
3. With a view to obtaining the fullest information on the objects of this enquiry, questions were sent to the Deputy Inspéctor- General of Fleets and Hospitals, Hongkong, Colonel The O'Gorman, D.A.A.G., The Prin- cipal Medical Officer of H. M. Forces, Hong- kong, The Principal Civil Medical Officer, Hongkong, Mr. Lawford (Secretary to the Commodore), The Managers of the China Sugar Refinery, to all Chinese holders of dis- tillery licences, and to oue foreign Consul. It has been found necessary to examine two witnesses and to hold four meetings In view of the reasons assigned for the sixty-seven cases of alcoholism that occurred during 1897 in the Government Civil Hospital we did not think it necessary to call the Principal Civil Medical Officer before the Commission.
4.-At the first meeting on the 22nd February last, we requested the Secretary to draw up a report on the manufacture and composition of the Chinese liquors known as samshu, also to visit the Chinese distilleries and report upoa the quality of the materials used.
5. As regards importation we have evidence that a quantity of cheap liquors are brought into this colony. We have evidence also that because these liquors are cheap it does not follow that they must be made from crude, inferior, or decayed materials. Mauu- factured from good spirit there is a large profit on the liquors which are sold at 20 cents a bottle. Moreover, analysis has shown that these cheap liquors do not contain deleterious substances, but that they lack flavour, body, and aroma, aud that they contain less fusel oil than genuine spirits. The tests to which liquors are sub- jected in the Government Laboratory are suffi- ciently severe to warrant the Government Analyst passing them as harmless, and this opinion is entirely supported by the medical evidence received by us and by the records of the amount of drunkenness in the colony. There is no ground whatever for the assertion that there exist in Hongkong deleterious liquors, of which a small quantity produces sudden and temporary insanity in the consumer, or the appearance of having been drugged.
6-Patent-still spirit from the China Sugar Refinery and the Chinese liquors known as samshu are the only liquors manufactured in Hongkong. The former is of good quality, and the composition of the principal Chinese liquors -Leu Pun Chau, Sheung Ching Chau, and Sam Ching Chau-together with the know- ledge from inspection that only sound materials are used in the samshu distilleries, is sufficient to justify bur opinion that the effect of drinking these Chinese liquors is practically the same as that produced by whiskey of the same strength. The high proportion of compound ethers in samshu will afford a means of ascertaining its presence in liquors should it be sus- pected from its odour. Although samshu is the national drink of the Chinese, drunkenness amongst them is conspicuous by its absence.
7.-It appears that a few years ago it was customary for beach-combers to frequent a plner at the corner of Upper Lascar Row known as "Samshu Corner,” and there to drink samshu, but no drinking in this quarter in recent years has been noticed.
8.-There appear to be no grounds for dissat- isfaction either with the general conduct of Hongkong public-houses or with the Police
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
supervision of these houses Drunkenness in this colony amongst the European population is not in excess of the amount found in other ports and cities. The analysis of thirty-one sam ples of the cheapest liquors has shown that such liquors are not crude, inferior, or adulterated,* so that we fail to find that any evil whatever exists as regards the conduct of the liquor traffic of the colony.
* Since the evidence of, the Government | Analyst was taken a number of samples hare been submitted for analysis and four prosecu- tions have been instituted for adulteration (deficiency of strength).
9. It does not appear to us to be compatible with the public safety that The Food and Drugs Ordinance, No. 18 of 1896, should be a dead letter, and we recommend that steps be taken in order that largely increased numbers of samples may he examined in the Government Laboratory, so that as much as possible may be done to prevent the sale of any adulterated or deleterious liquors.
311
commence forthwith and to carry on the re- maining portion of the road until completed."~
5-I emphasize the portion of the resolution which I term unfortunate in view of further experience and the present aspect of the ques- tion.
6.—I understand that legal opinion has been taken and that it is considered, as mat- ters now stand, that work can only be com- menced on the section of road between Kennedy. town and Aberdeen and that until that sec- tion is completed nothing can be done towards constructing a carriage road between Aberdeen, Stauley, and Shaukiwan. But, at the same time, I believe it is admitted that a general. meeting of subscribers can, if so disposed, or if it is the wish of the majority, rescind the latter portion of the above resolution, and leave it open to the Jubilee Committee, at whose dis- posal it must be understood the money now lies, to sanction commencement of the work elsewhere.
4.
7.-Bearing in mind that what was desired 10.-As all the evidence collected has shown was a carriage road round the island, the exist. that the drunkenuess here is due to the quantifying road from the city by Pokfulam to Aber- and not to the quality of the liquor consumed, | deen should not be ignored. The rise from we are of opinion that the cheapness of liquor Queen's Road level to Caine Road or Bonham is conducive to the increase of drunkenness. Road is necessarily steep, but the distance is As samshu is very cheap, legislation should be short and the bill is by no means impracticable; undertaken so that this liquor or any liquor from this to some distance beyond Douglas containing samshu may not be sold either dir- Castle" the gradients are easy; then a short ectly or indirectly to Europeans.
steep hill occurs, but one that can easily and 11.It is essential that the holders of publicat no great expense be improved; so that even house licences should be persons of good char- now we have a fairly good carriage road acter, and as cases have occurred in which six miles in length from the city to some householders have been guarantors for a person distance beyond the Paper Mills at Aber- wholly unfit to hold a licence, it is desirable deen. By beginning at Shankiwan or Aber- that the fullest information should be obtained deen, or at both, the desired oud would be as to the character of the applicant for such a much more rapidly attained than in auy other licence.
way, and then would come the time to consider whether a level road round, Mount Davis was worth the expense.
12. We are of opinion that the number (twenty-three) of public-houses now
licensed in the colouy is amply sufficient for present needs. We have the hoaour to be, sir, your most obedient servants,
WM. C. H. HASTINGS,
Chairman.
JNO. J. FRANCIS, Q.C. (I desire to call special attention to Mr. Browne's evidence, p. 17 and the first sixteen lines of p. 18-another Analyst or Apothecary is sorely needed.) R. F. COBBOLD, M.A.
F. O. STEDMAN, M.D., B.S., I ondon. His Excellency Major-General Wilsone Black,
C.B., Acting Governor, Hongkong..
THE VICTORIA JUBILEE ROAD,
The following letter bas been addressed to us by the Hon. R. D. Ormsby, Director of Public Works
Public Works Office, Hongkong, 11th October, 1898. Sir, The construction of the proposed carriage road round the island of Hongkong is a matter in which the whole public without exception naturally take a very great interest, especially those who subscribed towards the Jubilee Memorial of Her Majesty's Reign.
2.-Being intimately acquainted with the matter in all its bearings, I have obtained the permission of Government to address you, and through you the public, including I should hope all or nearly all of the subscribers.
3. The necessity for this arises from the fact that owing to what I ray term an un- fortunate resolution passed at a meeting of the Jubilee Committee on April 26th, 1897, and subsequent to which subscriptions towards the proposed memorials were received, the Committee feel bound to a course of action which seems most undesirable in the interests of all concerned, us I hope to be able presently to demonstrate.
8.-A carriage road has been traced round the island, at such gradients as will meet with the approval of drivers, riders, and cyclists, an estimate has been framed and plaus drawn, and it only remains to call for tenders and enter into contracts to ensure the work of construc- tion being actively pushed on.
9.-The total length between Shaukiwan and Kennedytown is a little over 18 miles, which for convenience of working has been divided into three sections. namely, Shaukiwan to Stanley 7 miles, Stanley to Aberdeen 6 miles, Aberdeen to Kennedytown 5 miles. The estimated cost of these sectious respectively is $114.170.20, 895,406.00, and $145,612.80; total for the whole road $355,189.00, or an average of $19,199 per mile.
10. The shortest section is much more difficult than either of the others; it passes along the precipitous rack-bound coast at the base of Mount Davis, involving an enormous amount of rock blasting and building, which is clearly indicated by the difference in estimated cost. Thus the average cost per mile from Shaukiwan to Stanley is $16,310, from Stanley to Aberdeen $15,961, and from Aberdeen to Kennedytown $26,475.
11-The money now lying in the bank to- wards the construction of the road is about $92,000. This would suffice to make four miles from Shaukiwan towards Stanley, or nearly to Tytam Tuk, and two miles from Aberdeen to- wards Stanley to Deep-water Bay, the latter two miles including the reclamation of the Aberdeen tidal flat of evil repute, the bug-boar of Magazine Gap; or it would make the whole of No. 2 Section from Aberdeen to Stanley.
12.-The six miles I indicate first would provide a nearly level carriage road from Aber- deen to Deep-water Bay golf links, doing away with the steep circuitons existing bridle path by Little Hongkong, and at the other end would provide a carriage road of easy gradients from Shaukiwn to Tytam Tuk, thus avoiding some of the steepest and worst parts of the existing path und the island.
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4-That resolution was as follows :-"That the money so collected together with an equal amount promised by the Colonial Government 13-lu fac if (owing to lack of funds) be deposited at interest in the Hongkong and nothing more was done for years, the circuit Shanghai Bank in the name of the Jubilee Com- round the island would be enormously improved. mittee, and be disbursed by them after paying The driver of carriages would have a good road for the local celebrations que half towards the [from Victoria vià Pokfulam and Aberdeen about erection of the Hospital for Women and Child, 8 miles in length to Deep-water Bay golf links, ren, and the training of nurses, and the other and on the other side au equally good road from half towards the construction of the first section | Victoria to Tytam Tnk, the centre of probably of the carriage road from Kennedytown to the most beautiful part of the colony, 10 miles 'Aberdeen, which the Government undertakes to `in length, while to the average cyclist the
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