Angust 19, 1899..]
THE PLAGUE.
A telegram from Amoy was submitted stat ing that the place was now free from plague.
It was reported from Tainan that from July 12 to July 18 inclusive four cases were reported. there being six deaths and six recoveries. Since January 7th there were 2,225 cases, with
1,702 deaths and 485 recoveries.
It was reported from Penang, in a communi- estion dated July 26th, that no new cases of plague had occurred in the settlement since the 15th inst
The mortality returns from Macao for the week ended July 23rd showed 55 deaths (includ- ing two from plague), and for the following week 24 deaths (including one from plague).
On the motion of the PRESIDENT, seconded by Dr, Lowson, it was decided to recommend the Government to revoke the order declaring Amoy an infected port. pa
THE INSANITARY PROPERTIES BILL,
The mortality statistics for the colony for the week ended August 5th showed a rate of 20-1, against 22.2 for the previous week and 12.8 for the corresponding week last year.
Mr. OSBORNE said-In connection with the mortality statistics, I think, sir, it is time the Government should be asked what is the posi- tion of affairs in regard to the Insanitary Pro- perties Bill. After three or four years' con- sideration, certain points in the proposed Bill were referred back to this Board, and we returned the draft with our recommendations upon those points some time ago, since which we have heard nothing further on the subject. It surely cannot be that more time for consid- eration is needed, as the measure has been so long before the public, and if the cause of delay be points of disagreement between the Govern- ment and those whose interests will be affected, I think we should consider the advisability of asking the Government to accept it in a modified form, and we will do the best we can with its mangled remnants, rather than run the risk of further delay. If any man doubts the necessity for this Bill-if any man considers its provisions of too drastic a nature-I re- commend that man to visit the slums which the Vice-President, Mr. Ormsby, and I inspected on Tuesday last. Though much has already been done to mitigate the scandalous conditions under which a large proportion of the popula tion live, the fact remains that most of the loathsome dens which disgraced this town in 1894 are disgracing it to-day and until this Bill becomes law no appreciable improvement is possible. I therefore beg to move that the Government be asked to inform the Board| what is the position of affairs in regard to the Insanitary Properties Bill.
The VICE-PRESIDENT-i beg to second, and at the same time I am in a position to state that the Acting Attorney-General consulted me this morning about the draft of the Bill, which is practically the same as what the Board sent up. I think, therefore, that that is a sign that the Bill is under weigh at any rate.
The motion was carried.
LINEWASHING QUESTION. The SECRETARY reported the appointment of extra clerk and inspector allowed for limewashing prosecutions.
to
CHINA OVERLAND TRALE REPORT.
Clerihew was sick and there was no one to take
FIRE AT HUNGHOM DOCK.
EXTENSIVE DAMAGES.
$151
12th August.
found impracticable to prosecute, and so the persons who had knowingly and wilfully defied the law were for the time allowed to go free. This has to some extent been since remedied by the Government providing extra assistance, and I believe the prosecutions are now proceeding. Docks on Thursday night in consequence of a Great excitement prevailed at the Hunghom One reason for the deadlock was that Inspector fire which was raging in one of the store rooms. his place. But surely, sir, this should not be Towards the centre of the yard is a long one- storey building divided into compartments. $0. A military compaign does not cease be- One end is used as the office, and of the other canse oue of its commanders is hors de com- compartments one is used for the storing of oil bat. In every sound organization there are
and another for the storing of oakum, ash oars, men ready to step into vacant posts, and I and iron bolts. It was in the last-named com- think that in our campaign against dirt we
partment that the fire occurred, and naturally ought to be equally well provided. The whole the greatest anxiety was felt lest the adjoining thing would no doubt afford material for quite compartment containing the oil should become an amusing little farce were it not that sick- ignited, as in that event there would have been ness and death play such prominent parts, and
a conflagration of exceptional dimensions and my object in drawing attention to the matter
one with which the fire apparatus available is that the public may be acquainted with the would have been utterly powerless to cope. facts and that the Government may be brought The opinion of persons present at the fire is to realise that if the Sanitary Board is to be that it is wonderful that, under the circum- of more use it must have a staff that is suff-stances, the adjoining compartments did not cient to give practical effect to Sanitary laws. become involved. Mr. J. Wilkie (the chief I am not moving any resolution for the moment, but I shall do so at a later date when clerk) got all his books out of the office, and stored them in a cargo boat, which was taken the report of the sub-committee is before the out to a buoy and there anchored until all Board.
danger was over.
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The fire was discovered about eight o'clock in the evening, it being noticed that some oakum had become ignited. How, we are nu- able to say; several theories have been advanced but no proof as to the correctness of any one of them is forthcoming. Mr. R. Cooke, assist- ant manager, Mr. W. Wilson, managing en- gineer; Mr. W. C. Jack, superintendent engineer; aud the other heads of departments, together with the general staff, were soon on the alert. Word was sent to the Water rolice Station that the floating fire engine was required, and a launch was sent round for it, but it was discovered that it was under- going rerairs and could not come. In the meantime the Dook steam fire engine was got out and set to work together with a manual fire-engine from the Dock and one from Yanmati. The fire apparatus on board the Loosok, which happened to be in dock, was also requisitioned. Everybody worked with a will, and though a large portion of the goods with which the compartment was packed was destroyed the sides and the roof of the building being also considerably damaged, the fire was prevented from spreading, and by one o'clock yesterday morning was extinguished. q
The damage, which is partly covered by in-
Dr. Lowson--During the last fortnight notices have been served on a large number of landlords to whitewash. It has been followed by most satisfactory results, and I cau now state that the western district, which ought to have been limewashed I think by the end of June, has now only 46 houses to be whitewashed. Seven were prosecuted this morning, and we have put a few dollars into the Treasury as the result, so that I consider we have done pretty well during the last fortnight. The reason why there is a considerable discrepancy in the figures is because the staff for himewashing has been absolutely inadequate for the pur- pose. Even with the Board's full staff just now it wants an extra man entirely for limewashing during the course of the year and a clerk in the office for the same purpose, and it is on that account, on the repre- sentation I made to the President, that we have got that extra clerk and extra inspector pro tem. I hope it will be a permanent appoint ment. I know Dr. Clark has some other views with regard to a further increase of staff, but I prefer to leave that alone just now, because it is more his bu-iness than mine. But I have got this to say, that the staff at the present moment, even if up to the full strength, is insufficient to have à full control of the colony.surance. is put down at about $50,000.. Overcrowding wants more attention—
The VICE-PRESIDENT-Overcrowding in dwellings and surface crowding?
Dr. LowsON— [ mean overcrowding in houses. I do not want to start a debate on the
question of surface crowding, but probably both require more attention, and with the present staff they would never be able to give it. Extra staff is also wanted for the simple reason that during the last two years when the plague has come round we have been unable to throw into it a force of men at a time when an epidemic could be stopped, that is. at the beginning, and not two months after it has been going on. Until overcrowding is looked after, until limewashing and cleansing are looked after, and until we are ready to put into the field a full force of men, we shall never have adequate protection from plague or prevent an epidemic Some- times it goes on three months, sometimes six, and sometimes nine. I really hope that a larger staff will be thrown into the town for the pur. pose of getting places clean, etc.
This was all the business.
Mr. OSBORNE ssid—Amidst the laberynth of laws and bye laws connected with local sanitation there is one very useful measure which I think commands universal approval, and that is the law relating
and limewashing cleansing. This law provides that the town shall be cleansed and limewashed twice in every year and that the work shall be spread over the whole six months. Suspecting that it was being largely evaded I some months ago called for returns showing the number of houses which were not limewashed and these returns proved that my suspicions were well founded. The Sanitary Board then advertised in the newspapers reminding owners of their obligation, and at the same time I believe the Inspectors informed the tenants. Still a very large proportion of houses remained uncleansed, We are informed that the General Agents and when the time of cleansing expired the and Consulting Committee of the China Sugar Board passed a resolution to prosecute the de- Refining Co., Limited, have declared an interim linquents. But here began a difficulty. To dividend of $2 per share for the half-year end- search the register for the owner's name, toing 20th June last. We understand that the write out the necessary notices and to serve accounts for the six months in question showed these notices and otherwise follow the cum- some loss, and that the interim dividend will brous procedure which the law requires, en- therefore be paid out of the equalization of tailed such an amount of work that it was dividend fund.
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EXTENSION OF THE TUNG WA HOSPITAL.
Mr. Ho Tung forwards us the following statement of facts regarding the extention of the Tung Wa Hospital and the building of a permanent hospital for plague patients, &o.
In view of the increasing population of the Colony and the Hinterland, the Directors of the Tung Wa Hospital, with the approval of its members, have decided to erect a new build. ing as an extension, on a site opposite the pre- sent hospital and situated in the Taipingshan resumed area. Through the kindness of His Excellency the Governor (Sir Henry Blake) a site has been granted by the Secretary of state on condition that the Chine-e community were to subscribe sufficient funds to put up the build. ing within a period of eighteen months from the date of the graut. In this building it is proposed to set aside a special apartment for midwifery, which is urgently needed, consider- ing the high mortality amongst infants and mothers. His Excellency the Governor has kindly subscribed $50) as an encouragement and it is to be hoped that the Chinese community will come forward freely and liberally with
The Hongkong Fire Insurance Co., we learn, had not a risk of $5,000 on the contents of Messrs. A. S. Watson & Co.'s branch establish- ment as stated in yesterday's issue. The Com-their subscriptions. pany was only interested to the extent of $500 on the clothing, etc., of the person in charge.
If sufficient funds are forthcoming the Dir- ectors intend also to put up a permanent build- ing at Kennedytown for the treatment of plagne patients, the present mat sheds being considered unsafe in case of fire or typhoon.
The estimated cost of the above two buildings will be about $50,000 -
A new mortuary estimated to cost $8,000, is also to be erected.
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The Directors are going round personally. solicit subscriptions.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.