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shipping which is to be called upon for further contributious so long as the new refuge leaves any indebtedness. Provision for the safety of the eggs may be too dearly hought by the crippling of the parent bird, to vary the adage; and so it is to be hoped that the hicials will not be "too set " on their present scheme, but take the sense of the Chamber and of the shipping con- muuity. It should be possible to provide convenient shelters without expensive frills to them, and we hope that the Chamber of Commerce, which entertains this idea, will cause au acceptable alternative sug- gestion to be submitted.
HONGKONG SANITARY BOARD.
A meeting of the Sanitary Board Was held on Apl. 14th at the Board Room. The Hon. Dr. J. M. Atkinson (president), presided, and there were als present Lieut. Col. Martin, Hon. Mr. Irvine, Mr. A. Shelton Hooper, Mr. H. Humphreys, Mr. H. A. W. Slad-, Mr. Lau Chu-pak; and Dr. W. W. Pearse (Medical Officer of Health) and Mr. Messer (Secretary.)
THE NEW SECRETARY,
A letter was read from the Government ntimating that Mr. C Mel. Messer bad been appointed to act as Secretary to the Board during the absence on leave of Mr. G. A. Woodcock, or until further notice.
THE AMENDING ORDINANCE,
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
waters of the harbour they ought to hesitate to agree to the principle of water closets for European houses throughout the Colony. The Harbour Master was asked for his opinion and asked as to the condition of the water compared
The PRESIDENT stated that the various mat ters referring to the Public Health Ordinance Amendment were dealt with at the meeting on 6th April. With regard to the copy of the Bill and Mr. Lau Can Pak's minute thereon a letter had been forwarded to the Government informing them of what the Board had approved and of liat it rad disapproved, also stating that consideration of the sections not referred to had ben postponed. He underst od there would be a meeting between the Colonial Secretary and the Director of Public Works with the archi tects on Wednesday. With reference to the correspon tence on the Bill a letter had been received from Mr. Brewin which he proposed to attach to papers and reciculate.
Mr. HOOPER said that the Chinese landowners had employed an architect to criticise the Bill and he would like to know if there was anything in that report if they could reopen their con- sideration of the Bill.
The PRESIDENT replied that the report could be further discussed.
WATER CLOSETS.
The report of the committee appointed to consider the question, of permitting water closets in buildings in Kowloon was submitted, The committee reported that they were of the opinion that the objections which had been raised were not sufficient to justify the refusal of water closets in the cas
care of European houses within the area mentioned, between Kowloon Point and Gascoyne Road. They recommended that a systematic inspection be made once a mouth of water closets sanctioned within that
district.
The PRESIDENT thought that the auswer to Mr. Humphreye was that there were so few
water closets in the Colony, The qestion, he proceeded, had been referred to a committee and voluminous papers dealing with the subject had been issued. It was necessary for the Board to come to some decision as to whether water closets were to be allowed iu Kowloon or not. If
with what it was fifteen years ago. Mr. McIver
reported that the foreshore off Wauchai was fouler than it was, the reason being that there was not so much current at that part as formerly partly due to the reclamation at Causeway Bay. He stated however that the tides off. Kowloon Point were much stronger than they were 15 years ago. It appeared from his report that the condition of the water in the East was fouler than before and it woull likely be worse if they allowed water closets in the uropean houses in the Colony.
Mr. HOOPER pointed out that the report dealt ouly with Kowloon and he for one did not con sider the question as it affected Victoria. The remarks of the President ought to be confined to Kowloon,
The PRESIDENT But the principle would apply to this side.
oer-
The PRESIDENT having read the report, Mr. HUMPHREYs said that considerable stress had been laid upon the prospect of possible danger from the introduction of water closets but questioned if it would be possible to have a general introduction of water closets because the Sanitary Board always insisted that where water closets are allowed there must be an in- In many cases it dependent water supply. would be quite impossible to get an independent water supply and in all cases t would (aiuly be expensive. These two causes would make the introduction of water closets general. On the other hand they were convenient and. oleanly for clubs, hotels and rich men's houses and were fauitary. If any one liked to have them be.saw no reason why they should not be allowed. As to the fouling of the foreshore be ould like to know what percentage came from mail boats, from sampang aud from water closets. Not a ten thousandth part would be due to water closets. Foreshores always smelt at He had been in places in England low tide. where there was no sewage but yet a most smell came from the foreshore offensive at low tide. The same thing weuld be found up the river towards Canton where there was no
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sewage. As to the drains interfering with the roots of trees that was absurd. He moved the adoption of the report of the committṣo.
MR. SLADE seconded,
Mr.
Ou a vote being taken, five supported the motion aud only the PRESIDENT and
The motion Was IRVINE voted against it. carried.
COMMON LODGING HOUSES.
[April 18, 1909.
AN INSPECTOR'S POWERS. Correspondence was read relative to the authority to Inspector Sutherland (who is newly appointed) to take legal proceedings when authorised by the Bard.
seems
10-
Mr. HooPEK minated-This necessary as no inspector ever prosecutes without the sanction of the Medical Officer of Health, ete. The pro ecutor should be the Medical Offiзer of Health and the inspector called as witness.
A minuts was submitted from the Registrar General recommending the amendment of the definition of a common lodging house. He pointed out that the pressut definition was made so wide that it included a great many premis ›8 it was never intended to include. The houses for which it was intended to legislate wore coolie houses but many other premises were now included and every now and then the question came up for discussion at the Board and the Board assumed a discretion) which it did not legally possess and decided not to enforce the law as it stood. He further suggested that the bye-laws might be amended with utility. They were obviously adopted from the regulations for common lodg- ing houses in England and he did not think
such a thing existed in Hongkong as a common lodging house The nearest approach to it was an opium divaD,
ETREET WATERING.
Correspondence was submitted relative to the street watering in East Point and to the nuisance caused by the absence of water carts from that part of the city
VEGETABLE MARKET AT YAUMATI,
they were to allow them at Kowloon it followed they must do so in Victoria, that was in the European houses. They could not make fish of one and fowl of another. It appeared that the argument put forward in the report of the com. mittee did not show there would be much barm
A minute by the Director of Public Works to the public health if this were allowed. The reporting that the work of preparing a site for tides at Kowloon Point
sufficiently the Vegetable Market at wera
Yaumati has been strong to carry away any excreta likely to completed and was transmitted to the Board for cause mischief.. On the other hand if water information of the members. closts were introduced in Kowloon they would have to be granted generally throughout the Colony. When they considered that 50,000 would thereby discharge their exorets into the
Mr. HOOPER wrote-I should like to see the contract for watering the streets and the correspondence with the Tramway Co., showing what proportion they pay towards the watering.
Mr. LAU CHU PAK-I think so too. CAPTAIN SUPERINTENDENT, of POLICE.- Unnece sary I should say because the Scratary or the Medical Officer of Health signs the appli cation for summons. The Inspector can conduct the prosecution.
MORTALITY STATISTICS.
The Mortality Statistics showed that the death-rate for the week ended 21st March was - for the British and foreign community, 15.8 per 1,000 as against 32.8 in the corresponding week of last year, and for the whole Colony 21.6 per 1,000 as against 219 in the corresponding week of last year. For the week ended: 8th March-British and foreign com. manity, 15.8 per 100 as compared with 8.2 per 1000 in the corresponding week of last year. and for the whole Cology 221 as against 15.8 in the correspon ling week of last year.
NOT CE OF MOTION.
Mr. SHELTON HOOPER gave notice that at That this Board next meeting he would move recommends the Governor to give legislative effect in the proposed new ordin inc amending the Public Health and Buildings Ordinance 1903 to the instructions of His Excellency Sir Matthew Nathan that all Government buildings be placed under the jurisdiction of the Sanitary Board."
DEATH OF MR. A. H. RENNIE
FOUND DROWNED.
Hongkong thrilled on April 14th with the news of he death by drowning of Mr. A. H. Rennie, manager of the Flour Mills at Junk Bay. He was seen about the streets of the city during the morning, laughing and talking apparently in good health and spirits, and many people refused to believe the news, which, as it passed from month to month, was to the effect that he had jumped overboard deliberately from his launch.
The facts so far confirmed are as follows, Mr. Rennie left his office about three o'clock in the afternoon, and went aboard his launch, the "
His Cana ia," to go to the mills. dead body was lauded at the Police Wharf & couple of hours later, by his own crew. The weather was squally, and a choppy sea was running.
The usul mithods of restoring animation to the apparently drowned were applied, assiduously and perseveringly,
without success.
bat
Witnesses who claimed to have authentic information assured our representative that the crow of Mr. Rounie's launch declare that it was a case of deliberate suicide. It was (according to the Chinese) in Lyeeman Pass that Mr. Rennie jumped overboard; from the portrails. The launch was stopped as soon as the coxswain realized what had happened, and the Chinese got Mr. Rennie out of the water, already dead they say. They took him as fast as possible to the Police Pier at Kowloon, whence, after unsuccessful efforts to bring him to, the body was put on the "Can da" again and taken to the Mortuary, Someone halfmasted the 11g, and this it was that let the news bзooms so speedily public.
Another version of the occurrence is that
Mr. Rennie went out on the launch for his usual daily visit to Jauk Bay. His boy prepared tea on board but Mr. Ronnie declined to par.ake of any saying that he was not feeling well. Shortly afterwards, he left the cabin, the floor of which is flash with the deck, and stood for at the taffrail,
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moment could
Before the crew realise what had happened, Mr. Rennie was overboard. One of the coxswains, whose name we have not learned, jumped after him and attempted to rescue him. The sea was choppy and swimming would be difficult, especially for a man fully clothed. He did not reach his
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