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in their lot with us, and become per- manent residents. A a further inducement of public sypathy and support, it is sug- gested that out of the profits of the fête the local charities would be sure to receive their share. If the Government accept this view, and it is understool that more than a few members of it have signified sympathy and approval, there should be no obstacle placed in the way of the promoters, to who:n we have little doubt the majority of citizens will be wishing success.
HONGKONG SANITARY BOARD.
A meeting of this Sanitary Board was held on Oct. 29th at the Bard Room. The Hon. Dr. J. M. Atkinson (presideal) presidul, and there were also present Hon. Mr. W. Chatham. C.M.G., (Vice-President), Hon. Mr. A. W. Brewin (Registrar-Generalį, Dr. F. Clark, Mediol Officer of fealth, Hoo. Mr. E. A. Hewett, Captain Lyons, Captain-Superiot-ndout of Police, Mr. A. Shelton Hooper. Mr. H Humphreys, Mr. Lau Chn pak and Mr. G. A. Woodcock, secretary.
WATEK TANK REGULATIONS.
The REGISTRAR GENER L, in terms of notice moved "That the Government be requested to make rules under the water works ordinance to
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
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over iding a resolution of this Board recom- mending exemption did the same thing and judged each case on its merits after having made an inspection of the place.
The resolution was carried.
THE WATER TANK QUESTION,
A reply stating that the Governor-in-Council had not approved of the recommendations of the Sanitary Board respecting the water tank in the yard at 83 Connaught Road West was read.
Mr. A. SHELTON HOOPER Minuted-I hope it was pointed out to H. E. the Governor tuo great utility of the water in the tank in the case of fire and for cleansing purposes during the intermi:tout supply.
THE BUILDING ORDINANCE.
[November 2, 1007.
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of and that the conditions of the contract should be so drawn up as to prevent possible friction. Until the scheme has been given a fair trial the contract should not be made a long one.
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The PRESIDENT. When this question was last considered the Board cime to tue decision that if limewashing wa‹ done by contract then once a year would be sufficient. That was in 1903. At that time the Government were not willing that this work be done by contract but now we have received a reply that they are willing that tenders should be called for. The first thing we should decide is whether the work should be done yearly or twice a year. I think if it is done yearly it ought to be done by contract. If it is not done by contract it ought to be done as before-twice a yea.. If it be done by contract the work will be done more effectively. We intend to insist that a certain percentage of lime be in the limewash and if that is done it will be useful as disinfect- ao!. As used at present by Chinese contractors
at all.
Some time ag› Messrs. Palmer and Turner applied to the Board for a modification of the provisions of section 188 of the Public Health and Buildings Ordinance to allow of certain latrines being er·cted on the roofs of certain bouses in Ko Shing Street. The board it is practically carbonate of lime, ao quick lime decided to recommend that the Governor.in. Council grant the application and on Septem- bor 19 a letter to this effect was sent to the Governor-in-Council, but a reply has now been recaived from the Colonial Secretary to the effect that the Governor-in-Council did not approve of the recommendations.
M. A. SHELTON HOOPER minute-I recom. mend that this matter by referred back to the Governor-in-Council for reconsideration. The board were unsuimons in recommending the application and the Medical Officer of Health also recommended it.
Hon. Mr. A. W. BREWIN-It is no good referring the matter back unless we can throw new light on it or supply additional information. Rferred to the Director of Public Works for further information.
LIMEW SHING AND CLEANSING,
The reply from the Government with respect to the calling of tenders for cleansing and limewashing work, was laid the table. The letter stated that the Government had no objectious to tinders being invited and io. stractions were issued accordingly.
regulate the placing of water tanks in back yards." In doing so, be said-For the last few months we had a great many applications for Mr. Fuso WA CHEON-I don't see any permission to place water tauks in bicharm in reterring back this matter to the yards and
we have always dealt with them Governor for a reason, or for recu-ideration. nader the Public Health and Buildings Ordin. ance, treating them simply as encroachments upon the space provided by the Ordinance. At the last meeting the Director of Works informed 18 that it was proposed to put these tanks under the Water Ordinance, Until we know the intention of the Goveru. ment it is simply a waste of time for us to consider any more of those applications. The Chinese take a great interest in this question of prohibition of water tanks and, I think, we are justified in asking the Government t› make regulations as as possible aud publish them for general information.
Mr. LAU CHU PAK seconded. He said-I take it that the mover is in favour of allowing these tanks to remain under certain conditions. Personally I think the tanks should be erected, and knowing as i do what residents, Chinese and European alike, have suffered in the past from a total want of water it must be realised that tanks or ressels for storing water will become indispensable, & not every individual cau afford to wait tap, eve when the supply is ample, for water for cooking and cleausing purposes. In shops
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and factories these tanks have been in existence for a good many years and there has not been a single instance of water stored in taaks having become con aminated or a breeding place for mosquito-s They do not take
up sach space as to cause an obstruction, and iuslead of being a means of wasting water they sare water.
Mr. A. SHELT N HOOPER-I have mash plea- sure in supporting the remarks of the mover and the seconder. I think that the wholesale abolition of tanks would be fatal. Of course this resolu tion does not deal with the doing away of tauks but it deals with taking away the water which would feel the tanks. I think this particular question should be dealt with as the clever Colonial Secretary suggested in his remarks when criticising the re-ommen latins of the Sanitary Commission with regard to cubicles and therefore I crave permission to refer to the advice which he gives there and would ask you to apply it to this question of tanks (Reade.) If we deal reasonably and intelligently with each case there would be no need for the water authority to make any regulations. I do not think it would be wise to suggest that the water authority should exercise his discretion aud cut off the water. You will notice that the Colonial Secretary suggests that the members of the Board should inspect every case, That is a big task but it is a very good thing, and it would be still better if the Executive Council before
Mr. A. SHELTON HOOPER minuted-As it will not be compulsory for the ownerw th to alloe Government contractor to do the work I fail to 598 any objection to the Government entering into the proposed contract. If the price per floor is higher than what the owner can get the work done for, the owner will naturally have the work done himself. The specification of the proposed limewash must be discussed.
The
Mr. LA CHU PAK-After all, the question of haring the imewashing of the Cainese tenement housas done by con.ract at the expense of the owners and under the direct control of the Sanitary Department is not so easy a task to tackle as it at first appeared to be. price now paid by owners varies from 75 cents to $1.50 per for and the contractors undertake to get the work passed by the Sanitary Iuspect irs, failing which they have to do it over again without ex'ra pay. It stands therefore to reason that as the ownerd thems-iv-s can get the work done at such a cheap rate there is very little chance of their voluntarily coming forward to ask the Govern ment coutrictor to do it; and also if the margin of profit for the Goverumsat contractors is great there is the chinos of the owners being compelled LO transfer their favours to him, thera bing no difficulty for rep e- seating that the work done by the private contractor i+ not satisfactory. This bas been amply proved by the evidence given before the Public Health Commission. The floors are not of a uniform size and if the tender price exceeds $15 per floor irrespective of size the scheme would fall through as the owners would do the work themselves and in doing so friction would arise. At the same time however it would not be equitable to deprive the owners of their right to employ their own | to line "ssh their own hous 8, I am of opiuion, however, that the success or failure of the scheme hinges what price the Govern. ment contractor will charge to do the work. do not offer these remarks in opposition to the scheme, but I wish it to be borne in mind that the evil in question should not be Jost sight.
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Mr. A. SH<ON HOOPER moved that the limewashing be carried out once a year..
This was secoaded by Mr. LAU CHU PAK, and carried. The Board afterwards considered the terms of the tendars.
A CHINESE NEWSPAPER JUBILEE,
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Oa Nov. 'st the Chung Ngoi San Po (Chinese Daily Press) celebrates the Jubilee of its foundation, and by way of specially marking the occasio it is printed on scarlet paper, the paper which is customarily used for the first issue after the Chinese New Year holidays. The Chung Ngoi San Po was, we believe, the first Chinese newspaper published, if we disregard the Peking Gazelle and the Provincial Court Circulars, which Were newspapers only in the
that the Government Cazette is a newspaper. Nothing but official decrees and other Court news found its way into the oldest newspaper in the world," but according to the announcement which heralded the birth of the Chung Ngoi San Po the intention of the founders was from the start that it should contain "suitable informa- tion, besides advertisements, that will cause it to be valuable to the Chinese, and a medium of communicating interesting intelligence to them.' In those days when the re- lations between Chinese and foreigners were not 80 peaceful and satisfactory in the Colony as they have happily long since become, it can readily be conceived that a well conducted Chinese newspaper was able to play a very useful part in removing misunderstand- ings and educating its readers to a more just appreciation of the peaceful and friendly intentions of the "Fankwei." Throughout its career the Chung Ngoi San Po Las been govern- ed by the same high sense of publio duty. While it has never hesitated to oriticise the measures of the Colonial Government affecting the Chinese community, its criticisme bave generally been of a helpful character and have often received the consideration they merited. Chinese newspapers as a rule do not enjoy a long lease of life, and the Chung Ngoi S in Po may therefore well congratulate itself upou its longevity. Its long life aud extensive ole. culation testify that its news service and general policy are widely appreciated and ap proved, and this is the mors noteworthy when the fact is mentioned that it pronouncedly dis- sociates itself from the Chinese political pro. paganda in the Colony which has recently formed the excuse for an Ordinance dealing with seditious publications.
A Peking letter states that the reactionaries have succeeded in almost convincing their Majesties to veto any suggestion to engage foreign advisers for the proposed reforms in tue national currency.
Telegraphic instructions have been receirad from reking to prohibit all but military foreiga mails from being carried on Chianss railways, unless they are sent through the Chiasse Post Office. Tuis order emanates from the Ministry of Posts and Communications. Mr. Choa Director of the Imperial Northern Railways, has gone to Peking in connexion with the matter. The outgoing mails of the International Post Omoes have been suspended.
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