370
BACTERIOLOGICAL REPORT FOR 1903.
The report of Dr. William Hunter, the Government Bacteriologist, for 1903. is pub- lished in the Gazette. We make the following
extracts:
During the past year, extensive alterations have been carried out at the Government Public Mortuary. New mortuaries have been built with offices and servants' quarters attached. The whole compound has been constructed on the most modern lines, providing excellent accommodation for pathological work of any description. During the past year, the greater part of the work has been carried out at the Mortuary owing to the want of a Bacterioloical Laboratory. It is hoped that this will soon be finished and that the accommodation and equipment there will be such as to allow of the most varied bacteriological research. The apparatus for the equipment of such a labora- at the Public tory is at present stored Mortuary. so that with the erection of the building there need be no delay in starting research work. Such bacteriological work requiring to be done during the past year has been done at the Mortuary. The temporary labora- tory in the Kennedy Town Infectious Diseases Hospital was found to be inconvenient, and during the epidemic of plague would have in terfered with the carrying out of the then some- what arduous duties of the officers in charge of that institution.
were
Throughout the year the Sanitary Depart ment have rendered most valuable assistance in regard to the cleansing of the Public Mortuary. During the year, 2.326 human bodies examined at the Public Mortuary. These figures represent a rather smaller number than during 1902. This is accounted for by the establishment of a Mortuary in Kowloon and the absence of an epidemic of cholera which swelled the figures during 1902.
During the past year a considerable amount of attention has been directed to pathological research, combined with bacteriological tests where necessary.
Plague has been dealt with as shortly as possible, as it is proposed to deal with the subject in a special Report, containing a resumé of research and experimental work done during 1903.
101,056 rats have been examined bacteriologi- cally. Of these, 3,744 were found to infected with plague. A large number of other animals have been examined for plague with positive results in many instances.
The question of the confusion of fowl cholera with plague in the absence of a detailed It is proposed to go more examination arose. fully into the matter.
The preparation of small-pox vaccine has been successfully prosecuted. 7,074 tubes were prepared during the year, an increase over 1902 of 3,422. A great increase in the sale of lymph was noted during the year. Compared with 1902 there was an increase of 1,841 tubes, and a similar increase of $584 paid into the Bank. So far as I know the lymph has given satisfac tory results and has been in demand not only in Hongkong but also in ports along the coast.
A cattle disease was investigated during the year. A preliminary Report was published by Mr. Gibson and myself, showing the disease to be a form of Septicemia Hæmorrhagica and to have no connection with what is known as true
rinderpest.
NEW TERRITORY NOTES.
[FROM A CORRESPONDENT.]
CROPS.
9th May.
The agricultural population have been busy during the past few weeks sowing their rice fields. There has been sufficient rain-fall to flood the paddy-patches, and in many parts the young props have already attained a fair height. Prospect for the coming harvest are considered fine show, good. Sugar-cane is making a Pea-nuts tops are making an appearance abore ground, and on the whole the New Territory verdant aspect at the present
presents a moment.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
COTTON-GROWING.
Mr. Dunn's suggestions about the adaptability of the soil of the New Territory for cotton growing evokes no particular interest among the Chinese farmers, even when explained to them fully in their own language. In the opinion of Europeans here who have made a study of the agricultural capabilities of the country, the soil is too clayey for the purpose of cultivating the cotton-plant. Suppose it were suitable, there is always the drawback of the disinclination of the Chinese country people to adopt new methods in their present employments or new departures altogether, the latter certainly being more obnoxious than the former in their eyes. Any attempt to introduce cotton-growing into the Territory will, according to local opinion, meet succes8 as that which with about as little attended the recent introduction of a superior class of Malaysian sugar-cane into the country. As will be remembered the farmers looked apon the experiment with what might be termed good-humoured contempt and made no effort
to
profit by the well-mean- ing endeavours of the British Government to improve the quality of their crops. If the cotton-growing experiment meet with any
better fate it will be cause for wonderment.
INDUSTRIES.
The compilation of the report dealing with New Territory industries has not yet been com- pleted. A feature of it when it does appear should be the number of unsuspected industries that are practised in that region. I have already enumerated quite a lot. One that has not been mentioned, however, is the peanut oil crushing industry. The pea-nuts are ground into powder and undergo a process of pressure which causes the oil to exude into a pan below, much in the same fashion as is employed in crushing liquid sugar out of sugar-cane. Then it is purified and exported. There are several sucli mills scattered over the country, notably one at Santin.
THE VEGETABLE FARM.
There is little doing at the plantation of the New Territory Cultivation Co. near Santin, and it is more than probable that the farm will be abandoned so far as the growing of vegetables for the Hongkong market is concerned. This venture certainly deserved better of the European community of the Colony than it got The methods of Chinese market gardeners are only too well known; and the endeavour of the promoters of the Santin farm was to supply Hongkong with vegetables grown under con- ditions which would not be obnoxious and repellent to European ideas. If the farm is abandoned there will be cause for regret.
SAMCHUN.
In the neighbourhood of Samchun City the lichee orchards are heavy with fruit, and large consignments are despatched every day to Hongkong and other markets. The crop is remarkably good this year.
CUSTOMS CHANGES.
Mr. C. S. Rice, third class Tidewaiter at Taishan. has been transferred to Yimtin, and Mr. J. Chalmers, third class Tidewaiter at Yimtin, has been transferred to Taishan.
CANTON.
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[May 16, 1904.
examination, which was held at the I Yu Shu Yun. The fact that so many attended shows that great interest is felt in this movement by the Cantonese. Among the successful can- didates was Tso Yuk, whom I mentioned some time ago as the brilliant youth who took his B. A degree at the age of 13. For such ability success in the China of the near future seems assured. I have had conversations with several of these young men, and find that there is great eagerness for reform along moderate and. I may say, constitutional lines, and together with this there seems to exist a very real patriotism. The feeling for Japan is of course very strong, and the Japanese victories are hailed with delight here, the cause being recognised as common with that of China.
[FROM ANOTHER CORRESPONDENT.]
Canton, 7th May.
TELEPHONE IN FAVOUR,
The introduction of the telephone, following closely the advent of the railway here, is proof that Canton does not intend to lag be- hind her northern rivals in adopting Western ideas. The Viceroy, the Governor, and all the principal officials are now on the telephone list, together with many of the foreign mercantile
firms.
PIRACY DECREASING.
The active measures taken by H.E. the Vice- roy for the suppression of river piracy have been eminently successful, only two or three cases having been reported during the last four months. When it is remembered that before this Viceroy's arrival piratical attacks were of almost daily occurrence, great praise is due to H.E. for his prompt and vigorous action.
SUPPRESSIONF LOTTERIES
&
We bear on very good authority that plans are being matured to put a stop to the Sui Wai Shing" lotteries, a form of gambling carried on by the poorest class, and which causes great deal of the poverty, with its attend int evils, existing among the small shopkeeper and coolie clas". The abolition will be ofinestimable benefit to these people, and is a really enlightened stroke of policy for a Chinese official, consider- ing the opposition likely to ensue in view of the fact that it fwill entail a diminuti n of revenue to the extent of some $1,200,000.
FROM ANOTHER CORRESPONDENT.}
Canton. 14th May.
THE EX-NAMHOI'S CASE. Among the people here it is recognised that of all Chinese officials in Canton Pui King-fak, the late Namhoi magistrate, is the most cun- ing and the most hated. By the assistance of a certain gambling monopolist, by name Lo, and of the magistrate's secretary, Chik Wa-hin, he was enabled to escape to Macao, and conceal himself in a Portuguese house. At last, seeing that he could not hide any longer, for fear of implicating the family that gave him shelter, he surrendered himself to the Portuguese authorities and is now awaiting extradition. The crimes that he is to be charged with are principally bribery in the cases of the druggist's Shop Chan Li Chai, of the" white pigeon" lottery, and of murder by one of the sons of Choi Chan, and embezzlement of Government revenne Yesterday the execution of the murderer taxes upon lands and fields in the different dis- Cheung took place. This case has been tricts under his jurisdiction. The Viceroy thoroughly thrashed out by the officials here, having applied for his extradition, some Chinese and it seems pretty certain that the person officials, soldiers, and witnesses have gone by a executed yesterday was indeed the murderer.gunboat to Macao to attend the trial. The The case is, however, well known in Hongkong, and it is unnecessary to refer further to it.
[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]
Canton, 3th May.
MURDERER EXECUTED.
THE SIKH WATCHMAN'S CASE. Abdul Mali, accused of the murder of his fellow-watchman at Sainam some six weeks ago, was yesterday brought up to Canton, and lodged in the British Consular Gaol. His trial will come on shortly.
CANDIDATES FOR FOREIGN TRAINING. Last week an examination was held here which should interest all who wish well to China. The Viceregal Government has decided to send forty young students abroad. twenty to Japan and twenty to other countries, and five hundred candidates presented themselves for the
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or
people of Canton, taking a keen interest in it, are anxiously awaiting the upshot.
LI SAI-KWAI.
Up to the present no clue as to the hiding of Li Sai-kwai has been found, although a heavy reward has been offered for his apprehension. All his property has been seized. When he escaped it is said that his wife and concubines dressed as Europeans and went with him.
THE KWANGSI REBELLION, With reference to the Kwangsi rebellion, the Viceroy has sent a telegram to the officials, ci vil and military, saying that as the rebel chief killed in battle ho has Wong Ng-fi was received an Imperial rescript to the effect that
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