February 23, 1901.]
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
157
should not be closed until both the new markets | HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER were completed. When they got the two new markete they would have more commodation than at present, and in addition stall ac-
OF COMMERCE. it was proposed to erect a market at Taiping shan and a fish market in front of the Central Market.
Mr. OSBORNE-I think we ought to agree to nothing at all. these plans, because if we do not we shall get
dation for stalls should be provided. He added Dr. HARTIGAN still thought more accommo. that he thought they ought to thank Mr. Fisher for his information.
The subject then dropped.
COLONIAL VETERINARY SURGEON'S REPORT. the year 1900 was laid on the table. The report The Colonial Veterinary Surgeon's report for is a lengthy one, and deals with the importation of live stock, animal-depots, slaughterhouses, dairies, markets, and staff.
The following minutes were appended :-- be sent to each meniber of the Board.
Mr. Osborne:-"A copy of the report should
should find a place in an official annual report. Hon. F. H. May:-"No controversial point Reports should be records of fact. I think the attention of the C. V. S. should be drawn to this." On the motion of Mr. OSBORNE, seconded by Mr. KIE, the consideration of the report was adjourned for a fortnight.
PLAGUE CASE AT SINGAPORE.
Secretary of the Straits Settlements regarding A letter was read from the Acting Colonial the case of bubonic plague reported from Sin- possible precautions to prevent the disease gapore on the 2nd inst., and stating that all spreading have been taken.
be used as wholesale fruit shops, while the fifth was used for the sale of cooked pork and poultry. It included three kitchens, one food shop, and one latrine. Mr. Ladds gave the stall area of the existing Western Market as about 15,000 square feet. About was a rather vague term. The actual stall area in the Market was 12,826 square feet. The area of 23,125 square feet was the actual inside area of the New Market, and he wished to make this quite clear, ¿e., the area inside the walls, etc. The next area was 8,287 square feet, this being the area of the site of the present Harbour Office. They would note that Mr. Ladds gave this as the area of the Market (two floors), and further mixed matters up by com. paring sites with actual inside areas and then attempted to polish matters off by a supposition. He (the speaker) did no.want any supposition, and he was quite sure the Board did not either. What they wanted were actual facts. He would now make a comparison of figures. Mr. Ladds gave them the area of the old mar- ket as 28,850. This, as he had before remarked, was the area of the whole site, including the boundary wall and five shops in Bonham Strand. Mr. Ladds gave the area of the New Market as 23,125, which was correct. He, however, gave the area of the second New Market as 8,200. This was the actual area of the site. The inside area of both floors would equal 13,694, making a total for both Mar- kets of 36,819 square feet, as against 28,850 square feet. They got an additional 7,969 feet, and he wished the Board to clearly understand that the 36,819 square feet was the actual inside area, whereas the 28,550 given as the area of the old Market included the boundary wall and five shops in Bonham Strand. Dealing with the quarters provided for the attendant, Mr. Fisher pointed out that on the first floor a living room etc., were provided, and above this a bed room. The dimensions of this bed room, which Mr. Ladds considered would be so very uncomfor- table during the summer months, averaged with balcony 18 ft. 8 in. long by 12 ft. 9 in. wide, which after deducting the area of the wall gave 233 square feet. The total area allotted to the caretaker without considering coal store, private stair, etc., equalled 579 ft. 4 in. The height of the rooms would be 14 feet, so that the weeks ended 3rd February and 10th February The mortality returns from Macao for the cubic contents equalled 8,110. He had no hesita-show the deaths to be 40 and 48 respectively. tion in stating that these attendant's quarters would be far better than any other similar quar- ters in the colony Mr. Ladds mentioned a very large wholesale poultry store in Saingpoon. Although he had met Mr. Ladds on several occa- sions on matters relating to the Western Mar- ket, this was the first time he had ever received any information respecting this matter, or even anything definite on matters relating to the Western Market. Please note that Mr. Ladds stated that 1,100 square feet was required for this, or three shops. This worked out at 366 feet 8 inch for each shop. He merely pointed this out, as in the first part of his report Mr. Ladds gave 432 feet as the minimum space. As he had explained before the poultry shops would eventually receive 334 square feet each; there was but little difference between 334 feet and 366 feet. He failed to see why Saingpoon Market should be mixed up with matters relating to the Western Market.
Answering Dr. Hartigan, Dr. CLARK said that when both Markets were built they would provide accommodation for about 210 stalls.
Dr. HARTIGAN said they required accommoda- tion for 250. Of course this had nothing to do with Mr. Fisher, who had done the best he could with the site he had got.
Dr. CLABK drow attention to the fact that for many years past the Sanitary Board had complained of the insanitary, condition of the Western Market. There was no question that it was a disgrace to the city. It was the dir tiest, filthiest place in the city. It was sur rounded on all sides by buildings, and it was "practically impossible to build a decent market on the site. Seeing that the Sanitary Board had been urging the Government to do away with this disgraceful state of Western Market and build decent market, when they were offered an additional 2,000 square feet they should receive it, apart altogether as to whether it would give additional market accommodation, He thought, however, that the Board might suggest that the present Western Market
affairs
the
THE WATER SUPPLY,
Mr. Wild, the Government Analyst, reported that he had examined samples of water from from a fountain in the Chater Road, and the the Kowloon service, which had been collected results showed that the water was of excellent quality. Samples taken from a fountain in the Hollywood Road, and from a fountain at the pumping station, Bonham Road West, had been examined with a like result.
MORTALITY RETURNS FROM MACAO,
MORTALITY STATISTICS.
26th January, 2nd February, and 9th February The mortality statistics for the weeks ended show rates of 168, 153, and 22-4 per 1,000, as against 21-8, 19.8, and 28.1 per 1,000 for the corresponding weeks of last year.
The following minutes were appended :- cities in the world."
President:-" Probably one of the healthiest Dr. Clark:-
:-" More probably not.” small death rate when
The PRESIDENT was commenting on the
order.
Mr. OSBORNE interjected--I call you to
The PRESIDENT-Why ?
quite misleading. I have pointed out before that Mr. OSBORNE-Because these statistics are the death rate here means nothing. People who contract diseases which cause death gener- ally leave the colony.
The PRESIDENT That remains to be proved. This was all the business.
of the Hongkong General Chamber of Com- At the Monthly Meeting of the Committee merce, held at the Chamber Room, City Hall, Present: Hon. R. M. Gray (Chairman), Hon. at 11.30 am. on the 14th February, 1901, J. J. Keswick (Vice-Chairman) Messrs. A.
Hon. J. Thurburn (ez officio), and R. C. Wilcox Law, A. M. Marshall, C. 8. Sharp, N. A. Siebs, Haupt, Sir Thomas Jackson, Kat., D. R.
(Secretary),~
.MINUTES.
The Minutes of the previous Monthly Meet- ing (held 7th January) were read and confirmed.
RESIGNATION OF MEMBER. T Nervegna & Co. had resigned membership the Chamber, stating that they were closing up
The Secretary reported that Messrs.
business.
THE TRANSIT OF PRODUCE IN CHINA. Read letter from Hon. Secretary of China
suggesting that the Association should advocate a letter had been received from Mr. Kopsch, Association, dated 14th January, stating. that
the extension of the so-called Chinkiang Rules respecting the transit of produce to all Treaty Ports, and, asking if the Chamber would for. ward its views regarding the proposal to the Association.
copy of Mr. Kopsch's letter had reached the ceipt of the letter and stated that, so far, no The Secretary said he had acknowledged ra-
Chamber. the letter in question.
Decided to endeavour to procure a copy
of
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THE PUBLICATION OF QUARANTINE NOTICES. January, signed by several of the Shipping A letter having been received on the 14th Firms, calling attention to heavy fines recently for technical or unintentional infringements of inflicted on steamers arriving from Singapore quarantine regulations,
dressed on the subject, the Chamber urging The Government was, on the 22nd idem, ad- that greater publicity be given to quarantine notifications than that afforded by the Gazette, fines inflicted by the Police Magistrate. and asking for a mission or reduction of the
In reply, the Government declined to consider the notice given as insufficient and urged that
cations in the Gazette. to make themselves acquainted with the notifi. it was the duty of these connected with shipping
the Chamber contended that as some steamers Further correspondence had followed, and calling at Singapore en route for this port or China had no consignees in Singapore it would only be reasonable that printed copies of notices affecting them should be sent on board each steamer,
PROPOSED REGISTRATION of partners IN CHINESE FIRMS..
In response to an invitation from H. E. the Governor, the Committee had nominated Mr. Robert Showan to represent the Chamber on-a ducing a Bill for the registration of partners in Committee to consider the advisability of intro Chinese firms, and an intimation had since been received from the Colonial Secretary of that gantleman's appointment.
Hon. J. Thurburn said he had been appointed a member of the Committee, which included three Chinese, and of which Mr. Sercombe Smith had been named Chairman. He had not its sitting. heard yet when the Committes would commence
article in its last issue, protests against the Our contemporary 0 Porvir, in the leading action of the Steamboat Company in dropping the annual excursion of the end of the present
CHINESE TARIFF REVISION. week, when it is customary for a large number Minister in Peking, in reply to Chamber's let- Read letter from Sir Ernest Batow, H. B. M.. of visitors to go over to Marao to see the Pro-ter of the 18th December last, stating that be cession of the Cross: According to our con- temporary the Secretary of the Company views of the Chamber, adding that it was im- will be glad to receive an expression of the stated, when asked for the reason, that the probable the question of the receipt of the tariff Directors had decided not to continue any would come under immediate consideration. further excursions, owing to cases of excessive drinking among some of the passengers on the last excursion, which the captain of the steamer had been unable to control. O Porvir com- plains of the monopoly enjoyed by the present Steamboat Company, and reports that the for mation is contemplated of a new company which it expects will receive the support not only of the public but also of the Macao Go- vernment. In another column we publish a letter which we have received on the same subject.
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ultimately it was decided to write to Bir E. Some discussion ensued on this matter and Satow and give him the view held by the Cham- same time to be good enough to submit to the ber on the subject generally, asking him at the Chamber the propositions made with regard to alteration of the tariff. It was also decided to exchange notes on the subject with the Shang- hai Chamber.
THE FUNERAL OF QUEEN VICTORIA. It being felt strongly by the Committee that on Saturday the 2nd February, the day fired
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.