ENG-1960 — Page 373

HISTORY

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were, however, at first ineffective. The administration labouring on one side with financial difficulties, and on the other with the negative attitude adopted by the leaders of the Chinese community and the deep-seated distrust shown by members of the public towards any measures which might be taken as inter- fering with their homes and ways of living. In 1894 Hong Kong was stricken by plague, which became endemic for the next thirty years. Thanks to a Japanese research worker in Hong Kong, this was finally recognized to be carried by rats. After this discovery, regular house-cleansing was carried out by sanitary squads (against considerable public opposition) and measures were effectively taken to restrict the spread of plague. Outbreaks, however, con- tinued on a diminishing scale until about 1927, when, for reasons unknown, occurrences of this particular disease lessened signi- ficantly in all parts of the world.

The Sanitary Board continued in existence until 1936 when its functions were broadened and entrusted to an Urban Council, with official, appointed and elected members.

Reclamation meanwhile continued steadily. For example, between 1921-9 ninety acres were reclaimed north of Johnston Road, allowing for a large planned extension of the Chinese quarter of Wan Chai, now one of the most densely populated urban districts in the world.

The principle that, in a place with such totally inadequate natural water supply as Hong Kong, it was a Government responsibility to provide reservoirs was first laid down by Sir Hercules Robinson (Governor 1859-65). What followed may be described as a century-long race between water capacity and population. The story is told in Chapter 1.

The Colony's earliest hospitals were run by missionary bodies, as indeed are a number at the present time. The first Government hospital was the Civil Hospital, founded in 1859. Part of its large old-fashioned buildings is still in use, and on the remainder of the original site there stands today the spacious and modern Tsan Yuk Maternity Hospital, opened in 1955. The Kowloon Hospital was opened in 1925, and the Queen Mary Hospital, one of the largest and most up-to-date in Asia, in 1937. The provision of adequate medical and health facilities at times of refugee influx has been one of Hong Kong's major problems, surmounted