December 14, 1907.]
and expedients, so that the only thing we can know of the burden on the province is that it was sufficient to satisfy Sиang him. self, not an easy task, and not SHENG alone but all those who were at all interested; and, it is important not to forget, after all the work turned out a disgraceful failure.
80
With the new plan, all the expenditure will be carefully kept account of and the accounts checked and presented to the Government, that the burden will at least be known and properly dis- tributed. More, instead of having in a supposed attempt at cheapuess a botched job presented to it, the Government and people will know that they are getting the full value for their money, and are having a properly equipped and serviceable line presented to them. The American people had the other day an experience regarding cheap engineering which it would be well for the agitators in this dishonest attempt to shuffle out of an honourable engagement, to bear in mind. It is perhaps as well that H. E. SHENG KUNG-Pao bas at last shown his hard as the instigator of the movement. Every one who has followed his career will understand what that means.
HONGKONG SANITARY BOARD.
A meeting of the Sanitary Board was held on Dec. 10th at the Board Room. The Hon. Dr. J. M. Atkinson (president) presided, and there were also present Hon. Mr. A. W. Brewin (Registrar-General). Dr. F. Clark, (Medical Officer of Health), Dr. H. Maofarlane (Assistant Medical Officer of Health), Captain Lyons (Captain Superintendent of Police), Hou. Mr. E. A. Hewett, Mr. A. Shelton Hooper, Mr H. Humphreys, and Mr. G. A. Woodcock, secretary.
A MENACE TO HEALTH.
Mr. HUMPHREYS, pursuant to notice, asked the following questio :-
(a) Does the Medical Officer of Health oon- sider the filthy habit of spitting in buildings and public vehicles which obtains universally amongst the lower classes of Chinese detri- mental to the Public Health ?
(b) Is not this habit accountable in great messure for the spread of phthisis, diptheria and other diseases, and if so, what does the percentage of deaths arising annually from such diseases (that is, diseases capable of being propagated by dried infected spu'um) bear to the tatel mortality ?
The MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH replied. (a) Yes.
(b) Yes, to some extent. Phthisis, 9.7 per cent of the tota deaths. Diptheria, 0.12 per cent.
Hon Mr. HEWETT minuted-It would be interesting if any member of the Board could suggest some means by which this objectionable habit could be checked.
at
|
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
among the Chinese in the Colony, and notices were issued by the Registrar-General's Depart- ment. The President then read a translation of a Chinese notice and continued--That through the Colony, and I don't know that we Chinese notice was practically disseminated all could really do more. If we made it a punishable offence it would cast a great deal of work on the police, as it is so very common. Practically every Chinaman spita.
Mr. HUMPHREYS-I did not mean on the roads. That notice you have just read was
circulated in 1901, and applied principally to public thoroughfares. Since 1901 all these large buildings have been erected. which are more or less public, as anybody can walk in and out of them, and it is in regard to those buildings that I seek protection. I recognise as regards the streets that it is hopeless to do anything, but I think as regards something might be done. tramoars and these buildings I have mentioned
The MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH — 1 am inclined to think that the Board have power to make regulations to prevent spitting, be- cause the Board is givau powers to make byelaws to prevent as far as possible the spread of contagious disease. My first thought was, when this was suggested by Mr. Humphreys, that that would be the proper way to deal with
the matter, but only within the last few days I
have seen in a metropolitan
paper from London, that although the London County Council made byalawa and distributed them broadcast to prohibit spitting in public plac's, practically no prosecutions have been iostituted, the difficulty being that a person cannot be arrested. person has to be served with a summons, and that is generally a very difficult procedure. I think the police could deal with the matter better. I see no difficulty with regard to the matter, however, in public vehicles and in public buildings, but a difficult might possibly arise in regard to private buildings such as Alexandra Buildings and
the Hotel Mansions.
Captain LYONS-The police could not make an arrest there.
The MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH-But they certainly could in the City Hall, or in a place open to public entertainment.
Mr. HUMPHREYS-If made punishable in semi-private buildings I would guarantee to largely detect it in any building had to do with.
The MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH-The Board might make a byelaw prohibiting spit ting in buildings, and the police might have power to deal with it in public buildings, streets and vehicles. The name and address of a person would have to be taken, and he would have to be served with a summons,
Mr. HOPER-I am quite in favour of what Mr. Humphreys has suggested, and I have no doubt the whole Board are, but I do not see how it is workable in these buildings. Sup. posing it was a private house! If the police were allowed to patrol private buildings it would create a deal of friction. But if a man was found doing it on a public staircase, or staircase common to several tenants, that man might be given into custody.
on a
Mr. HUMPHRYS—Sir, That being so I would ask you whether it wouldn't be possible for this Board to recommend the Government to pass Hon. Mr. HEWETT—lt appears to me that in regulations making it a punishable offence for dealing with the question of spitting it is quite Chinese to spit in public buildings, or semi- impossible for us to legislate in any way at all public buildings, such as Alexandra Buildings except insofar as it is possible to put spitting on or the Hotel Mansions. As things are the same footing as committing a public nui- present, these magnificent structures аге B⭑Doe. We might suggest the thing to the practically converted into huge spittoons, and Government, but I cannot conceive any legis you cannot move outside your own offios with-lation which will do away with this filthy habit out seeing it all round you. As the Medical Officer of Health is of opinion that it is de- trimental to public health. I think the Board ought to take action, My idea is that if coolies, or anybody found guilty were flaed, and on every floor in such buildings notices to that effect could be put up, I think it would check it to a very great extent. I don't say it would stop it altogether, because they would do it anywhere if they thought they were not seen, but it would, I think, act as a check. At the present moment there is no punishment,
The PRESIDENT-I might mention that this question has been before the Board on previous cocasions. On October 3rd, 1901, I brought this question up, and the matter was then referred' to the Government, who decided that the only thing to be done was to issue notices broadcast
|
so common among Asiatics, and which will be carried on in private houses, stairways and offices even if it is not permitted in the street.
Mr. HUMPHREYS-It is not proposed to pre- vent it in the street. That is impossible.
Hoa, Mr. H&WETF-I d∙n't see that we can make any legislation for it. It is outside the bounds of practical politics. I am very much in favour of doing so, if possible, but I cannot conceive how it is possible.
Mr. HUMPHREYS-I'd like to try the experi. ment in my building if I had power to ran these men in.
Te Captain Superintendent of Police, the Medical Officer of Health, the Assistant Medical Officer of Health and Mr. Hamphreys wore appointed a committee to consider and advise on the subject.
LIGHTING OF DWELLINGS,
881
Messrs. Palmer and 'l urner wrote stating that they had submitted a plan for the approval of the Building Authority for altering the upper floors of godowns 397a and 397b, Queen's Road West, into first class domestio dwellings with open spaces and yarda in accordance with the requirements of the Ordinance. The rooms in the new building were lighted from the central yard, about 12 feet 1 inch in width. The architects sought a modification of section 153 of the Public Health and Buildings Ordinance,
and asked that this width be counted as external air for the purpose of lighting the six rooms, The rooms being on the upper floors would receive the light over the roof at a good angle, and they considered it preferable that they should be lighted by lateral windows from the yard, just under 13 feet in width, than by skyligh's in the roof which were invariably a source of trouble in a building. The architects also requested a modification if it were necessary to allow the new yards being placed as shown on the plan, instead of all at the rear of the house as required by the Ordinance. This modification was purely technical, and they thought it would readily be admitted that the arrangements for the space as shown, WAS infinitely better than if the strict letter of the Ordinance was adhered to, and the whole yard placed at the rear.
The MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH and Mr. LAU CHU-PAK recommended granting.
Mr. HOOPER saw no objection to granting, but thought the plan incomplete.
Hon. Mr. HEWETT thought a scavenging lane should be provided.
The VICE-PRESIDENT-It would be futile to refuse the application for modification of external air requirements as no reference is made in Messre. Palmer and Turner's letter to the omission of a scavenging lane. They presumably intend to regard the houses a semi-detached, in which case scavenging lanes are not required provided there are side lanes four feet wide extending the full depth of the building. It was obviously intended that there should be access to these side lanes, but in the present case there is no access to Whitty Street, or to the lane on the east side of the block. I do not consider that the houses can be regarded as semi-detached and would urge that the owner be required to provide scavenging lanes.
Consideration of this matter was deferred owing to the absence of the Vice-President.
MARKET LIMITS.
Inspector J. A. LYONS raised the question of hawking vegetables in the immediate vicinity of Taiko ktsui market, as the stallholdera therein comp lained of the unfair competition, and it was put forward as a cause for the empty stalls. Ha suggested that the whole of Taikoktsui should be placed out of bounds for hawkers.
Dr. MACFARLANE concurred.
The REGISTRAR-GENERAL thought that limits should be fixed, but of no larger ares than those at Hanghom and Yaumati. He also sug gested that limits should be paced round the Mongkoktsui market.
Mr. HOOPER was of opinion that the number of licences should be limited,
Hon. Mr. HEWITT thought that the limit should be extended, and did not consider 100 yards on either side of the markets to be sufficient.
The REGISTRAR-GENERAL-The limiting of the number of hawkers licences was tried some years ago, and found impracticable.
Hon. fr. HEWETT-With regard to my minute, Sir, the limit I spoke of was a limit of area, not a limit in the number of hawkers. It is clearly our business to try to drive people into the markets so long as there is ascommodation. That being so, I don't think a limit of 100 yards is sufficient.
Mr. HOOPEE—In what way is it impracticable to limit the number of bawkers ?
-
The REGISTRAR-GENERAL — As a matter of fact what happened was that there was a sort of female suffrage. When I refused a Hoence to a hawker he used to send his aunts, mother and wires, and they besieged the Registrar. General in his office (langhter).
Hon. Mr. HIWETT-We have got a Re gistrar-General who knows how to hold his own. The PRESIDENT-What limit would you suggest, Mr. Hewett ?
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.