164
Dr. CLARK-The prosecuting inspector, not the inspector of the district.
The papers were laid on the table.
FOUNDLINGS DYING IN THE CONVENTS.
A reply from Bishop Piazzoli was laid on the table relative to the Board's recommenda- tion as to the removal of the bodies of children dying in the convents within one month of admission for post-mortem examination. The reply stated that the recommendation was too wide, and that Bishop Piazzoli was unable to assent to it.
Dr. Atkinson : "Will the Registrar- General please state who signs or certifies as to the cause of death of the foundlings at the French Convent?"
The PRESIDENT-With respect to that query, one of the Sisters signs the books brought up every day from the French Convent with particulars of deaths.
Dr. CLARK-I think we ought to adhere to our previous decision that the bodies of Chinese infants particularly who die in the French and Italian Convents should be medi. cally examined. I think we ought to send an inspector every day with instructions to remove such infants as have died for a post- mortem examination, and arrangements could be made afterwards for their proper interment. I move that the Government be asked to insist that the bodies of Chinese foundling infants be removed from the Convents by officers of the Sanitary Board and taken to the public mor- tuary for medical examination, unless the cause of death is certified in each case by a registered practitioner, in accordance with the terms of the Ordinance.
The motion was carried unanimously.
PUBLIC. LATRINES.
The plans of two publio latrines were sub- mitted-one of 46 seats on the west side of Gillies Avenue, Hung Hom, and the other of 40 seats at the intersection of Market and Kennedy Streets, Yaumati.
The plans were approved.
URINALS.
Correspondence was laid on the table relative
to the erection of two urinals-one near the Canton and Macao Steamboat Wha:f, and one near the old Nam Pak Hong Pier.
LIMEWASHING RETURN.
The limewashing return for the fortnight ended 19th August was laid on the table.
DE. PEARSE AND SUMMARY PROSECUTIONS.
The following minute by Dr. Clark was read: "I have the honour to request that Dr. W. W. Pearse should be deputed by the Board to institute summary proceedings before a magis trate against any person contravening the pro- visions of the Public Health Ordinance of 19J1, or of any bye-laws made thereunder, as provided for in Sections 27 and 91 of the said Ordinance."
Dr. Atkinson minuted: "I approve." The PRESIDENT-With regard to this mat- ter, will it be in order to recommend it before Dr. Pearse's appointment is gazetted?
Dr. CLARK I think so.
The PRESIDENT, seconded by Mr. MAY, then moved accordingly, and the motion was un- animously carried.
PREPARING FOR NEXT YEAR.
Mr. OSBORNE-I should like to move that Government be asked to give a reply as soon as possible to the Board's recommendations in regard to inserting new bye-laws as to the cleansing of the town which we sent up some time ago. It is now about a month since we emerged from the last plague scare, and I have no doubt we shall settle down to our old sweet ways for the next six months. I think we should lose no time, and should also ask the Government to lose no time, in giving us the powers we ask for. If the Goverment ap- proves of our suggestion as to the limewashing of the town, we should make a start as soon as possible and not wait till the beginning of next year, when the plague re-appears. I move that the Government be asked to obtain approval as soon as possible of the proposed new bye-laws made by the Board on 11th July for the preventing of epidemic, endemic, or con- tagious disease.”
Mr. MAY seconded, and the motion was carried.
PLANS.
An application was read from Messrs. Leigh) & Orange, architects, for the Board's approval of a plan for the rebuilding of houses on
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
(Augink 26, 1901.
Inland Lot 107. Two plans, marked. A and|HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER B, were attached, and the Board was asked to select one.
Dr. Clark minuted: "I consider that plan B, which Messrs. Leigh & Orange wish to have with the law as to the amount of open space in approved, is the better design, and as it complies the road, I do not see how the Board can fail to accept it. I think, however, the Board might go further, and tell Messrs, L. & O. that they consider it preferable to plan A; we may then perhaps get more houses built after this design." Dr. Atkinson minuted: What does the President advise ? I see that he has not minuted the paper. His opinion as A.D.P.W. would be able to guide us in forming an opinion."
Mr. May:
better."
16
**
OF COMMERCE,
At the monthly meeting of the General of Commerce, held at 8.30 p.m. on Monday, Committee of the Hongkong General Chamber
the 12th August, 1901,-Present: Bir Thomsa Jackson (Chairman), Mr. C. S. Sharp (Vice- Chairman), Hon. J. J. Bell-Irving, Messrs. A. Haupt W. Ponte, R. L. Richardson, H. A. Ritchie, N. A. Biebs, H. E. Tomkins, Hon. T. H. Whitehead (ex officio), and R. C. Wilcox (Secretary).
MINUTES.
The minutes of the previous monthly meeting Plan B would appear to be the | (held 9th July, 1901), were read and confirmed.
*
The President: 'I recommend plan B." The PRESIDENT-I propose that a reply b sent stating that the Board approves of plan B.
This was agreed to.
UNNECESSARY QUARANTINE.
Mach correspondence has passed with the Board in regard to the quarantining of vessels from Hongkong on account of plague and smallpox. The veto with regard to small- pox has been withdrawn, but all vessels are still subject to quarantine for ten days from leaving this port or since the last case of plague. Dr. Atkinson minuted: "Attention should be drawn to the fact that there is no epidemic of plague now existing in this Colony.'
It was agreed to send information to the various Consuls.
MORTALITY STATISTICS.
The mortality statistics for the Colony for the week ended 10th August were laid on the table.
THE EMPLOYMENT OF RAT-CATCHERS.
Correspondence was laid on the table relative to the employment of four rat-catchers the Board commenced work on the 1st inst., but, The four rat catchers recently employed by
owing to the scarcity of traps, very little WBS done till the 5th inst. A sufficient number has now been obtained, and, up till the 13th inst., 120 rats were caught. The majority of these wero taken alire to the Disinfecting Sta- tion. Inspector Reidia reporta that the dis- tribution of traps among the Chinese house. holders is a very difficult matter, and the rat- catchers are meeting with good deal of op. position, some of the Chinese appearing to think that if rats are caught in their houses the premises will be disinfected. He therefore suggested the issuing of explanatory notices by the Registrar General. As a result of this recommendation, 200 posters and 5000 leaflets were requisitioned for on the 19th iust.
HOUSES FOR CHINESE WORKING CLASSES.
Plans were submitted by Messrs. Leigh & Orange, architects, for dwellings for the Chinese working classe9.
Mr. ÖSBORNE-The whole point in the im- proved type of Chinese houses is that each cubicle should have a window opening out into the light and air. I think we ought to recom- mend the Government to assist us in securing this improvement,
The PRESIDENT-I might mention that the people who propose to purchase the land are prepared to build houses in accordance with the plan prepared by myself, so that if other people are allowed by the Board to substitute houses on a less expensive job such as that, and a less cani- tary job as well, the people who propone to purchase it would be almost sure to be ousted in the bidding.
Mr. FUNGWA CHUEN seconded Mr. Osborne's proposal, which was carried.
This was all the business.
A sad fatality occurred on board the I.-C. na. Loksang last week, say the N.-C. Daily News of the 17th inst, when the steamer was at Mororan taking on a cargo of coal for Shanghai. A shot was heard, the sound of which indicated that it had been fired in the second-engineer's cabin. On entering the cabin, the body of the second- engineer was seen huddled up on the floor, with a revolver, still smoking, in the hand. Although the shot had entered the forehead and gone right through the head, the man was still living when the cabin was entered; but was unable to speak and expired in less than a minute. From the position of the body, it was thought that it| was either a case of suicide, or that the revolver had gone off socidentally.
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SANITATION OF THE CÒLONY,
I continuation of correspondence on the above subject, read letter received 16th July from the Colonial Secretary enclosing copy of a minute by the Medical Officer of Honsth relating to the handling of the sick, the cleansing of drains and houses, and the inspection of slums.
Also read letter from the Government on same subject, dated 18th July, transmitting a lengthy memorandum on legislations on sanitary matters.
It was unanimously decided to simply acknowledge receipt of these docume_ts, the latter of which has since appeared in the blue-book and been published in and com- mented on by the local Press. THE PROHIBITION OF CHINESE IMMIGRATION INTO STRAITS SETTLEMENTS,
Read letter from Colonial Secretary, dated 3 st July, informing the Uhamber that the Government of the Straits Settlements felt unable at present to remove the prohibition against Chinese immigration from Hongkong, soon as it could be done with safety. but such prohibition would be withdrawn so
Also read letter, dated 7th August, in which the Colonial Secretary announced that the Straits Government had withdrawn the pro- hibition on Chinese immigration but that quarantine would be maintained for the present.
Resolved to write an acknowledgement and tender the Chamber's thanks to His Excellency the Governor for his prompt and energetic | action in this matter.
QUARANTI › E.
!
The Secretary reported that letters had been received (and acknowledged) from Government under date 13th and 27th July announcing that Karachi had been declared free from plague and that subsequently three new cases and one death bad occurred there from the disease. Also that, on 27th July, intimation had been received, from the same quarter, that Swatow had been declared free from plague and that clean bills of health could now be granted to the port.
THE MEDICAL INSPECTION OF PASSENGERS,
The Secretary stated that the rejoinder by Mr. Ritchie to Dr. Swan's memorandum, with covering letter to Colonial Secretary, together with certain enclosures, had been forwarded to the Government, but up to date no reply had beerf received.
THE CHINESE INDEMNITY AND TARIFF. Read letter from London Chamber of Com. merce, dated 28th June, acknowledging reosipt of Chamber's letter of 3rd May on the above subject and transmitting copy of the reply of the Foreign Office to same, stating that His Majesty's Government fully realise the impor tance of the considerations brought forward by the Hongkong and Shanghai Chambers of Commerce.
THE DUTY ON OṛIUM.
In reference to the announcement made re- cently by Reuter in respect of the Chinese tariff, a letter was, on the 7th August, received by the Secretary from Messrs. D. Baascon, Sons & Co. and E. D. Sassoon & Co., saking thể Chamber to wire to the British Minister at Peking and ascertain whether there will be any change in the present tariff of duty and lekin on foreign opium.
socordingly
The following tologram addressed to Bir Ernest Batow
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ing
"Hongkong opium asosrtain will u or lekin on opiUM Jackson, Chil
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