March 26, 1904.]
seats. At intervals there would be probably 50 people living on the premises, and the theatre held about 2,500 persons. It was recommended that the Board should require an additional latrine of six seats.
The PRESIDENT moved the approval of the
recommendation.
Mr. HEWETT seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
A CONTRACTOR,
Yeung Yat, contractor, requested that his name beadded to the list of authorised drainage contractors.
The application was grauted.
THE CREEN 18LAND CEMENT CO.
The Green Island Cement Co. asked permis sion to built a well on their premises at Kowloon. The well would be well away from any building; 16ft. deep, 10ft. wide, built in granite, and the wall carried three feet above the ground. They desired the well partly to tap a spring which gave them some trouble, and partly to increase their supply of water for manufacturing purposes, which supply rau rather low in the dry season. The well would be entirely closed and the water only used for manufacturing purposes.
The PRESIDENT moved that the permission sought be given.
COLONEL WEBB seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
LIME-WASHING.
Mr. Lau Chu Pak minuted: -I should like
to know if the people are still being prosecuted for not lime-washing their back-yards beyond the joists of the ground floor.
The PRESIDENT stated that according to the Board's decision instructions had been issund to limewash only up to the joists.
Mr. LAU CHU PAK said that people were complaining that the inspectors insisted upon the lime-washing of the back-yards.
Dr. PEARSE-That is a mistake then. The PRESIDENT-If you let us have the addresses we will make enquiries,
BABIES AT HANOʻ.
The PRESIDENT stated that in consequence of enquiries made a report had been received a few days ago that rabies existed at Hanoi, three cases having occurred within a month. He moved that the Government be recommen.ed to make regulations prohibiting the landing of dogs from Hanoi for six months.
Hon. Mr. POLLOCK seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
WANCHAI MARKET.
A minute by the Registrar-General recom- mending the classification of the stalls in Wanchai Market was approved.
THE SECRETARY'S DEPARTURE, Mr. FUNG WA CHUN. at the conclusion of the formal business, said he wished to make a few remarks regarding the secretary of the Board (Mr. G. A. Woodcock) on the eve of his departure for England. Mr. Woodcock had served the Board conscientiously and satis- factorily for the past four years, and in spite of the fact that the work of his office ad multiplied itself from year to year he had car- ried it through to the greatest satisfaction of the public. He was sure he simply echoed the feelings of the members when he wished Mr. Woodcock and his family bon voyage home and that they would return to the Colony in the best of health. (Applause.)
Mr. WOODCOCK-Thank you. The Board afterwards sat in private.
The Nippon points ont that the Japan-Russia negotiations and war have had strange dealings with the figure seven, sufficiently strange to make the superstitions talk. In the firs place the current year is the 37th year of Meiji; seven professors presented a memorial advoca- ting war; on the 7th February it became known that diplomatic relations were broken off; in the first attack on Port Arthur seven Russian war-ships were damaged; seventy-seven men went on the famous blocking expedition; the encounter on land took place outside the "Seven Star Gate" at Pingyang and finally the number of war-ships which attacked Vladivostock was seven. This, remarks the Kobe Chronicle, will go to increase the faith of those who believe that the Japanese are descen- dants of the lost tribes of Israel, for the number seven was sacred among the Hebrews.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. §
HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
At a monthly meeting of the General Com- mittee of the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce, held in the Chamber Room. City Hall, on Tuesday. 8th instant, at 3.45 p.m., Present-Mr. E. A. Hewett (Chairman), Mr. D. R. Low (Vice-Chairman), Hon. C. W. Dickson. Messrs. A. Haupt, N. A. Siebs. J. R. M. Smith, H. R. Tomkins, R. C. Wilcox, A. G. Wood, and A. R. Lowe (Secretary).
NEW MEMBER OF COMMITTEE.
The Chairman took the opportunity of expressing the pleasure it gave to the Com mittee to have Mr. A. Haupt rejoin them on his return to the Colony. Mr. A. Haupt thanked the Chairman for his good wishes.
MINUTES.
The minutes of the monthly meeting held on the 9th ult. were read and confirmed.
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HEALTH OFFICER OF THE PORT. The following correspondence was laid 011 the table :-
MEDICAL INSPECTION OF PASSENGERS.
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce.
Hongkong. 20th January, 1904. SIR, I have the honour to inform you that at a recent meeting of the Committee of this Chamber the question of Medical Examination of steamers arriving in Hongkong Harbour was discussed, and it was unanimously decided to ad- dress the Government on the subject, pointing out the grave necessity which exists for a thorough reform being effected in the system at present in force.
I would beg to remind you that in 1897, and again in 1901, this Chamber brought to the notice of the Government the desirability of the appointment of Health Officer of the Port being filled by an official whose undivided
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to give a definite decision, not being vested with full authority, which can only be wielded by the recognised Health Officer of the Port. Considerable time is thus not infrequently lost in connecting with the Health Officer, and it then happens that further delays take place, in consequence of his private engagements, before that officer is able to visit the vessel in question. It has been brought to the notice of the Government that the work has increased of late years, and ships constantly enter the harbour simultaneously at both entrances, and I would beg to remind you that the number of ocean. going steamers alone which entered the harbour during the year 1902 amounted to over 4,000, or an average of 11 per diem, many of these being coasting vessels and other small craft which do not as a rule carry a doctor as a member of their crew.
In addition to the above there is a considerable number of sailing vessels also visiting the port, while the number of steamers engaged in the river trade has of late years increased very greatly, there Being upwards of 2,000 arrivals
in 1902.
My Committee therefore consider that the constant employment of two Officers whose whole time is devoted to official inspection of vessels is an absolute necessity. The extra cost by reason of such a change would not be very great and would be fully justified by the gain to the Colony at large. The income derived maintains a high level of over $44,000 per from permits to work cargo on Sundays still
annum and would meet any extra expenditure under this heading, in addition to which the general revenue under the heads of Bills of Health and Medical Examination of coolies amounts to a further sum of about $36,000 per
annum.
My Committee would most respectfully urge attendance would be devoted to the duties of upon His Excellency that in view of the very the position, and as a result of the representa-Port, which now ranks third in the British great importance of the shipping trade of the tions then placed before His Excellency the Empire, the post of Health Officer of the Port Governor. Sir Henry Blake made the following recommendations to the Secretary qualified Assistant) who should not be allowed should be held by a Government Official (with a any private practice, which rule prevails in all large ports, such as Bombay and Ĉalcutta.
of State for the Colonies :--
(") The appointment of a second Health
Officer of the Port, who will be allowed no
private practice of any kind : (i) That in view of Dr. Jordan's long service as Health Officer of the Port His Excellency recommended that he should be allowed to retain his private practice shore only on the distinct understanding that when himself engaged in private practice he will always place at the disposal
on
of this Government another officer as his substitute to discharge the duties of Health Officer of the Port, and who will not take private practice on board ships.
In conclusion I am instructed to add that the that the present state of affairs is impossible, leading shipping firms are strongly of opinion and that it is imperative an entire reform of the medical inspection of shipping should be carried
out on the lines above indicated with the least possible delay. The Committee of this Chamber trust, therefore, that His Excellency will give a favourable consideration to their request.-I
have. &c..
A. R. LowE. Secretary.
Hon. A. M. Thomson,
Acting Colonial Secretary.
Colonial Secretary's Office.
(r) His Excellency further recommended that. if Dr. Jordan was not willing to accept these conditions. another Health Officer of the Port should be appointed in his place on the same terms as those offered
Hongkong, 24th Feb., 1904. to the second Health Officer of the Port.
SIR.-I am directed to acknowledge the The Committee of the Chamber at that time receipt of your letter of the 20th ultimo regard- expressed the opinion that the above recoming the system in force for the medical exami- mendations. if carried into effect. would, they hoped, put an end to the delays in the inspection of vessels that had occurred in the past, and therefore agreed to His Excellency's sugges
tions.
After iving the new system a fair trial. however, my Committee regret that it is necess- ary to again draw the attention of His Ex- cellency the Officer Administering the Govern- ment to the inconvenience and loss suffered by the large shipping interests of this Colony through the new. arrangement not having produced the anticipated result.
In consequence of the Health Officer of the Port and his deputy being engaged with their private practice in various parts of the City, it not infrequently happens that when their official services are required they are inaccessible. Dr. Keyt is thus often the only Officer available to attend the ships coming into the harbour, with the result that delays are of frequent occurrence.
Further, when a vessel is visited by Dr. Keyt and a suspicious case of sickness is reported on board, that Officer states that he must refer the matter to his superior, and my Committee fally understand this must be so, as, in his capacity as a subordinate, he cannot be expected
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nation of vessels arriving at this Port, and in reply to inform you that the suggestions of the Chamber have received the careful consideration of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, who regrets that he cannot see his way to carry them into effect.
2. I am to point out that under the present arrangement there is always one medical officer available for duty afloat, while another (either the Health Officer or his assistant) is at Dr. Jordan's office to sign Bills of Health. A mis- understanding seems to exist with regard to Dr. Keyt's position: Dr. Kayt has full power to act on his own responsibility and is in no way bound to refer the final decision of a case to his senior officer. It is probable that cases may arise when it is impossible for Dr. Keyt, as it might be for any medical officer, to diagnose a case at first sight, and in each circumstances it is advisable for him, in the public interest, to call in extra assistance,
3. Since Dr. Keyt has become familiar with the work of the port, no complaints have reach- ed this Government, and His Excellency does not propose, therefore, to disturb an arrange- ment whereby the Government practically secures the services of three Health Officers for the port instead of two, as provided in the
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