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Mr. Maitland. What profit did he make in the business during the 18 years that he had good chance ?
A. For the first 18 years I made a profit of between $200 and $300 or between $500 and $600. But in one year I made a profit $2,200.
Q. What did he do with the money--did he invest it?
A.—The profit $200 or $300 was just enough to pay my expenses; and the $2,000 and odd I had to cover my losses.
The Chairman.--He has been buying cattle at the rate of 120 a month, has he not?
A.--Yes; from 120 to 130.
Q.--Last year how many?
A.-About the same number.
Q.--And the year before?
A.--From 130 to 150 or 160.
Q-But there are twice as many people buying meat in Hongkong now as there were three years ago. Where do they get their meat from? Your business is going back.
A.--Well, they curtail their food.
Mr. Maitland.--They don't eat so much now ?
A.-No. I don't mean that. I cannot say whether the population of this colony has increased during the last three years or not.
Dr. Hartigan. We do not want you to say; we tell you it is.
A.--The population may be increased, but that is the limit of my business. The merchants are increasing too.
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The Chairman. Have you ever bought any cattle at the Depôt here ?
A. Yes.
Q.-Every month?
A. I used to slaughter 300 head per month. I only got 120 from the mainland, and therefore I had to buy the balance of 180 to make up the 300.
Q. What do you pay per head for cattle bought at the Depôt from other people? A. From 40 dollars odd to $514. Mostly $44.
Q.-How many bullocks do you sell in a day on the average?
A-On the average I sell about 290 a month, or nine or ten a day.
Q.-Out of that nine or ten how many do you sell to compradores or butchers? A.---Four or five; it depends upon the business, whether there is a steamer in the harbour or not.
Q. Do you sell direct to steamers in the harbour or to compradores for steamers in the harbour ?
A. Yes.
Q-How many steamers regularly do you supply in a month ?
A. About four.
Q. How much to each steamer?
A. From 140 to 150 pounds.
Q.--How many private customers have you?
A. Do you mean Chinese?
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The Chairman.--No; Chinese do not eat beef.