Hongkong, 11th January.
The Week just concluded has been a quiet one from every point of view, and business is especially slack, the approaching Chinese New Year being already sensibly felt. The weather continues fine and dry, and the water supply is daily shrinking. Some steady rain would be greatly appreciated at the present moment.
The Sanitary Board met on the 9th inst. After agreeing on a recommendation for the amendment of a drainage by-law, they proceeded to discuss a motion of the Medical Officer of Health defining a section of the city for house to house visitation for the purpose of cleansing, and suggesting that the work be commenced in Districts Nos. 7 and 8. Mr. Fung Wa-chuen proposed, in this connection, that the cleansing and fumigating be suspended from. the Ist of February to the 15th of February order to permit the Chinese making—preparations to—_ celebrate the New Year. After some discussion this was agreed to, though several mambo: thought a week's suspension of the we: would be sufficient. The President ex! ited four samples of netting to place ov the mouths of drains to prevent rats passing through, It was agreed to adopt one made of wire net of medium size.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.