386
The number of swine slaughtered during the past two years points to a considerable increase in the native population of the Colony during that period.
Annual list of animals slaughtered for the past ten years, from 1890 to 1899.
Year.
Cattle.
Sheep and
Swine.
Goats.
1890,
18,519
10,091
123.833
1891,
18,218
9,673
122,942
1892,
18,180
11,571
126,766
1893,
17,866
11,770
131,298
1894,
16,898
10,937
125.725
1895,
19,218
12,592
129,035
1896.
19,546
14,693
129,103
1
1897.
20,094
14,226
137,748
1898,
21,541
15,956
153,485
1899,
23,582
17,353
156,292
Total........
193,662
128,862
1,336,227
On January 7th a butcher and coolie were charged by Inspector WATSON at the Police Court with passing into the Hung Hom slaughter house two cattle which were unfit for slaughter, and which bore a counterfeit brand.
The prisoners were convicted and sentenced to three months' imprison ment with hard labour.
In connection with this case on January 19th PANG KIM CHOW, shroff at the Kowloon Cattle Depot was convicted under section 4 of Ordinance 12 of 1894, at the Police Court, with marking cattle with a false stamp, and was sentenced to six months' hard labour.
Much credit is due to Inspector WATSON for the able manner in which he worked up this case, which was rendered more difficult than usual on account of the shroff's duplicity.
On January 18th two butchers were tried at the Supreme Court under the Bribery Ordinance with attempting to bribe Inspector COTTON to pass a sick sheep as fit for slaughter into the City Slaughter House.
Both the men were convicted and sentenced to six months' hard labour.
DAIRIES.
During the year ontbreaks of Rinderpest occurred amongst the cattle in the three principal Dairy Farms of the Colony.
On March 10th the disease first broke out amongst some cows the property of Mr. J. KENNEDY, which were housed at Nos. 1 and 3 Kennedy Street, Wanchai.
From this place it spread to the same owner's premises at Causeway Bay, and from there to an- other of his sheds at Kowloon. In all three instances the premises were declared infected areas by the Board under the provisions of bye-laws Nos. 12 and 13 of Schedule A of Ordinance 17 of 1887.
Ninety-eight (98) animals were destroyed, and compensation to the amount of $14,001 paid. On May 10th an outbreak of Rinderpest occurred at the premises of the East Point Dairy Farm. The same steps were taken by the Board; 52 animals being destroyed, and $7,260 paid as compen-
sation.
On September 26th Rinderpest broke out at the headquarter premises of the Dairy Farm Com- pany at Pokfulum.
In this case, having to hand the necessary animals and appliances, I adopted the serum treatment with marked success, and succeeded in stamping out the disease with comparatively small loss.
On December 7th the disease appeared at the Sassoon Villa premises at Pokfuluun, also occupied by the Dairy Farm Company. I here further tested the same treatment, and put a stop to the epidemic with the small loss to the Company of only 2 cows and 5 small calves.
In both the latter cases the premises were proclaimed infected areas by the Board.
On May 11th the Board decided to refuse to license, or to renew existing licences for any cattle sheds in the City to the westward of the stream in the Sokonpoo Valley, which has its outlet in the angle of Causeway Bay, after January 1st, 1900.
This decision gives effect to a recommendation made by me as far back as 1889, and last referred to in my Annual Report for the year 1898.
MARKETS.
In previous reports, I have from time to time pointed out the urgent necessity of providing in- creased market accommodation, but as yet without any result.
I therefore proceed to give a few figures which I think should go far to further substantiate my reasons for so doing.