382
THEONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
i
Although the bathing season is not yet at its heigh', numerous launches are to be seen leaving the city each afternoon for the stretch of water which the occupants fancy for disporting them selves; but in a week or two this distinctive feature of Hongkong's social life will become as
/Great as the facilities | pronounced as usual. are here for enjoying ourselves in the water, it has to be borne in mind that there is a fairly large section who do not or cannot avail them selves of these opportunities. Now, it has been anggested that some man of enterprise might find a profliable speculation in erecting and equipping public baths at a spot comparatively near the city to be couvenient yet sufficiently distant to be an attractive bathing spot.
changeable; and the gaunt, bespectacled, | result of this inquiry, following the frequently, vehement politician is still Mother Eve, expressed feelings of disapproval will be som although robbed of her rightful place modification or amendment of that Ordinance. and perquisites. We are not greatly alarmed by the agitation, although it does not appeal to us. The times are out of joint in other ways beside, but we have faith that things will right themselves. Woman's suffrage in New Zealand seems to have made no difference, beyond temporarily pacifying the few who clamoured for. it. The men who championed the case must have been a little surprised at the lack of enthusiasm and gratitude on the part of the majority; but that is nothing new. Men are always being surprised by them because they so often try to treat them as logica crentures. The natural woman has no use for the syllogism; and she has no
Of course it may be argued that the need for use for politics or a vote. A recent writer,
such an institution is not very great. Perhaps dealing with the problem of women workers, not, but there are undoubtedly many who would remarks, a war of the sexes is an eventu- take advantage of such an opportunity to obtain ality which cannot be considered probable; | a cooler" during the day, while we know-it and however great may be the antagonisms is a common business axiom-that the supply of the moment, they eventually disappear very often creates the demand. To the busy before the spirit of the species, reasserting individual who cannot afford the hour or two which the ordinary bathing expedition occupies, its omnipotence.' That means that no
such an institution would prove a great boon: matter what experiments follow the
Others would be attracted to it in addition to apparent exigencies of the moment. the tendency is, where the woman is concerned, to keep returning to elementals.
(
11
HONGKONG JOTTINGS.
21st May
•
The one great topic of conversation locally is the appointment of the Commission. Most people regarded it as inevitable, and all are agreed that it is desirable. If all is well in our local administration then the assurance to that effect from the Commissioners will be welcomed those who have felt some uneasiness at the stories that have been in circulation, while if there be any abuses or corruption they should be exposed and the required steps taken to ensure that parity of administration which is associated with British rule. The personnel of the Commission is one that will inspire con: fidence. The unofficial members have an intimate acquaintance with the
working of the Ordinances, more particularly, the Public Health Ordinance of 1903, and will know in what channel to direct the investigations, while the forensic ability and fair-mindedness of the Chairman should secure for those under examination perfectly - impartial treatment.
徽
:
their nightly swim and not a few would be induced by reason of the safety and accommoda tion which it afforded to spend more time in the water than usual. Were the V.R.C. quarters ou the Hongkong side, there would not be the same amount of reason for putting forward these arguments, but at present there is little doubt that the scheme is not im. practicable.
For instance, if the permisssion of the Gov- obtained to mike suitable arument were erections on the shore either east or west beyond the limits of the city- which o>uld be reached in about fifteen minutes or less by tram-it would not entail a great outlay to put up a matshed with requisite accommodation. It might be conducted on the lines of pub io swimming places at home, towels, etc., provided, refresh ments supplied, while for use in the water there might be at hand á number of furnishings which
we have seeu employed for acquatio sport. Of course it would be advisable to have more than one class, with separate acommoda- tion
which would be elaborated according to the ideas of the speculators interested, bit I think that a scheme on the lines indicated is not altogether impossible.
It has often occurred to me that a simple and profitable scheme could be found in deepening the water opposite the Metropole Ian, and making a covered gangway from the inn to the There can be no two opinions that Hissea. There is already a fiue tunnel from the Excellency the Governor has considerably hotel grounds under the traudiay to the beach added to the good impressions formed regarding | There is no need to go into detail, however, him by the action he has taken in this matter. The under-ourcent of dissatisfaction, growing into a volume of open complaints, which has made itself heard for some little time, could not be ig.ored. All along there has been a suspicion, which perhaps amounted to more than a suspicion, that the working of certain departments was not free from irregularities, and this evidently having come to the knowledge of His Excellency be has shown his honesty of purpose and whole- hearted endeavour to keep the Government of the Colony above reproach by instituting an inquiry into the operation of the Sanitary and Building Regulations and whether bribery is or has been associated with these. Such a step, though not to be nodertaken lightly, is indeed highly commendable
to
bé
his
|
❘
|
|
|
(May 28, 1906,
سینه
The need for haste in such emergencies is recognised in other parts of the Empire and it seems incredible that such an unconscionable delay should be tolerated at a time when every moment is precious and when the proper atten- tion administered at the earliest opportunity may be the means of saving a life, Surely it is not too much to hope that those responsible shall in future see that the ambulance is taken to the scene of accident at more than a walking pace.
"
The "dramatic incidents" associated with the Sanitary Board did not end with the famous scene in which Mr. Hewett produced the tumblerful of "live water in explanation of a complaint which he made on the subject of mosquito breeding. Last week it was Mr. Suelton Hooper's turn. Hs resented official interference in the matter of the market prices and declined to sit on the committee as a result. Then he ross from the table ang walking to where the President sat ceremoni ously handed over his papers and documents, and with eyes flashing with inligastion returned to his seit. It was a most effective scene, and muit have impressed his colleagues that here was a min not to be trifled with.
BANYAN
SUPREME COURT.
Friday, May 18th.
IN ADMIRALTY JURISDICTION.
BEFORE SIR FRANCIS PIGGOTT (CHIEF JUSTICE) AND Hon. Captain L. A, W. BARNES-LAWRENCE (NAUTICAL Assessor).
!
ANOTHER COLLISION CABE,
Chan Pok-tai, owner of the junk “ Lin Shing Lee," and the owners of her cargo, olaimed | damages from the s... “Hankow" for a collision
which occurred between the vessels on Novem-- ber 15th.
Mr. M. W. Sinde, instructed by Mr. E. J Grist (of Messrs. Wilkinson and Grist), appeared for the plaintiffs, and Mr. E. H. sharp, K.C., instructed by Mr. H. J. Gedge (of Messrs. Johnson, Stokes and Master), represented the defendants,
The plaintiffs' statement of claim set forth that at 9.20 p.m. on November 18th the two- masted juak "Lin Shing Lee" whilst on a voyage from Hougkong to Maoso, laden with a general cargo, and manoed with a crew of six men, was off Pillar Poiut (Cheung Shakok). The wind at the time was about north-east and very light, and the weather was fine sut plear with the moon shining brightly. The junk was heading about west, north-west, siling free on the starboard tack, and her speed was about two miles per hour. Her regulation lights (white light at masthead, and white light at the stern) were exhibited and burning brightly, and s good lookout was kept on board. At that time those on board the junk observed the masthead light and green light of the "Hankow" at distance of about three miles from the junk, There was an interesting paragraph iu the and bearing about half a point on her starboard annual report of the medical officer in charge bow. The junk continued on her course. When the “ Hankow" was neɑring the junk, she of the hospitals for infectious diseases. shows that medical science is still comparatively suddenly exbibited her red light. The junk was kept on her course, and those on board helpless in d-sling with the plague. The officer confesses that no advance has up till burned mats and shouted loadly, but the ** Hankow came on rapidly and struck the now been made in the treatment of this having (disease, nothing
been disc rered port bow of the junk with the bluff of her which will act as a preventive or s curative. | bow, causing great damage, The plaintiffs It has been known that experiments were alleged there was no proper lookont kept on the Hankow"; that "those on board being conduc'ed in the local hospitals with a
the "Hankow" failed to take proper measures certain serum, but the results were not such as to establish the value of the agent employed. for avoiding a collision with the junk; that 19 was ported at The mortality is as heivy as ever, and wedical | the h-im of the “Hankow
an improper time; that the "Hankow" men are still looking to the laboratory worker to dispover the serum which will prove effective ¦ guilty of breaches of Articles 20, 23, 23 and 20 in combating the disease.
of the regulations for preventing collisions at The plaintiffs olaímed a declaration that they were entitled to the damages proceeded for; the condemnatio of the defendants and their bail in such damage and costs; to have an account taken of such damage with the as- sistance of merchants and such other relief as the Court may grant.
$
While of course nothing should be said now. to prejudice the inquiry about opened, it is palpable to the majority of residents that the very drastic nature of the Public Health Ordinance of 19 3, which aimed at thorough reforms, has been responsible for a great deal of dissatisfaction among those affected by it. Certain of is provisions act very harshly on the natives and as a matter of fact occasionally worsen conditions which they were designed to improve, while it al ́u opencil the door for irregularities »nd_abuses which may or may not have orept in. In the circum. the most cruel fentare, the coolies entrusted with stances it is not/too much, to expret that one
When I read the account of the policeman's d-ath near the City Hall last week, it occurred to me, as I d resay it did to many others, that the present ambulance arrangements are not at all sati-factory. When an accident happens, it takes some little time for those at the Central
In reply the defendants stated--At about : 8 atiou to be informed of the fact and to dis-
patch the ambulance waggon. But this seems (9.15 p.m. on November 15th, the "Hankow"
whilst on her usual voyage from Canton, to its conv-yance proceed only at a walking pice, | Hongkong was near Castle Peak, and was
-
2
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.