72
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
its effects may also be trioba into the two fol- | lowing years.
The lighting of the market is töfy inefficient. | 18hilloh after having Western Market. The central position of to recohillend 'that
Je number of swine slaughtered during this market has always made it a very popular with altogether.
e past two years points to a considérable in brease in the native population of the colony during that period.
Annual list of animals slaughtered for the past ten years, from 1889 to 1898.
Sheep and
Cattle
Year,
Swine.
Goats.
1889
17.863
10,110
1890
18,519
10,091
1891
18.218
9,673-
1892
18,180
11,571
119,856 123.899 122,942 136,766
1893
17,866
11,770
131,298
1894
16,898
10,937
125,725
1895
19,918
12,5927 129,035
1896
19,546
14,693
129,103
1897
20,094
14,226
137,748
1898- 21,541
15,956
Total 187,943
153,485
121,619 · 1,299,791 DAIRIES.
During the year two outbreaks of inféétions disease occurred in the dairies of the colony.
On February 28th rinderpest or cattle plague broke out at the Sassoon's Villa" premises of the Dairy Farm Company at Pokfulum. Most of the European breeds of cattle died, but for. túnátély the measures taken prevented the spread of the disease elsewhere.
I may mention in connection with this out break that I had an opportunity of treating the last case which occurred with serum pre- pared by myself, and am pleased to record that the animal recovered under the treatment.
From the result of my observations I am con- fident that, given the necessary appliances, etc., I could successfully combat an outbreak of this disease, and think that at least 90 per cent. of the animals infected might be saved if taken in time.
On December 22nd foot and mouth disease broke out on the premises of the East Point Dairy at Wong-nei-Cheong. The disease as sumed a very mild type and up to the end of the year had not spread to any of the other farms.
In both cases the premises were declared in fected areas by the Board under the provisions of Bye-laws Nos. 12 and 13 of schedule A of Ordinance 17 of 1887.
Although as far back as 1889 I recommended that no cow sheds be licensed by the Board within the precincts of the city, I regret to note that nothing has yet been done to consider or carry out my suggestion.
In my report to the Board dated 31st January, 1898, I went very fully into the sub- ject of the milk supply of the colony, and pointed out that consumers would do well if, in protection of their own interests, they were to insist upon a guarantee from the dairy supply ing them that they had given up the practice of purchasing milk from outside sources--that is to say, from native dairies--as the condition under which their milk is collected leaves much to be desired:
|
|
' '; '
one, and it supplies a large district. The articles of food sold therein are almost entirely fof native consumption,
The building is old and framped and does dot at all meet present re
rements, In a report dated May 19th, 1991, the Board recommended that the market be rébuilt áfid somewhat later I believe plans were made by the late director of Public Works, Mr. A Cooper, for this purpose, but nothing further was done in the matter.
I understand that arrangements are now being mɛde to build a large fiéw market upon a portion of the resumed ares at Taipingshan to take the place of the present Western Market, which would be abolished 'upon the complétion of the
new one.
The Chinese generally, and more especially the present stall-holders in the Wəştərïl' Mär- ket, are unanimous in condemning this project, and I think not without reason when it is re membered that the old Taipingshan market which was but a small one contarding 74 stalls had always more than half that number vacant from the time when I took over charge of the food supply of the colony in 1887 up tỏ June 19th, 1894, when it was closed.
One of the chief objections raised by the Chinese is that the extra cost of conveying all the market produce so far up the hill to the new building would necessitate a higher scale of prices for food stuffs sold therein, and that they would not in consequence be able to com- péte successfully with stállkolders in the other markets.
Another point is that instead of the market being situated as at present in the centre of a thickly populated district and fairly close to the harbour, it would then be removed to the extreme edge of that district up a steep hill, and as far away from the set as possible.
Personally I am of opinion that the Taiping shan site as at present chosen is most unsuitable in every respect. A new market built upon the site of the present Western market, or even nearer to the sea might with advantage be erected to afford double the accommodation of the existing one, ma even then all the stalls would let readily; but the prospects of one such as proposed for Taipingshan would, I think, be. very poor indeed.
Vide my report to the Board with 1898.99
Market Codlies – Or May 11th warded a petition to the Board Trold staff of coolies, praying&o-
alry, and stöngly recommended tha should be faised to that of ordinary rates. Such med, being drawn from coolie class, readily obtail from $7 to 37:60′ për month outside, whereas at least half my coolie staff only receive $5 and $6 a month!- „Hence it is obvious that the only men who jom are very inferior ores, and they knowing that if they resign can immediately obtain situations at the same rate of pay, if not, higher, also- where, are naturally, unruly and insubordinata, sequence, in die diens to imitacije juujas viji and the work is not efficiently, done in com.
all
A good deal of sickness was prevalent during the year amongst the members of the islan which I take it was due in a great, measure to the nature of the duties required to be per- formed, I was also temporarily incapatated from duty upon several occasions, owing to attacks of tropical disease:
THE UITY HALL.
The annual meeting of shareholders subscribers to the City Hall was held in the City Hall Library on 23rd January. There are present the Hon. J. J. Bell-Irving (Chairman), Messrs. H. L. Dennys (Secretary), H. L. Dal. rymple, H. N. Mody. B. Layton, N. A. Siaba (Committee), and Granville Sharp.insta
The CHAIRMAN said Gentlemen, the report and accounts have been, in your hands for bome days and, as usual, I will ask you to accept them as read. Nothing of very special interestin connection with the City Hall has occurred since our last annual meeting. The instijn- tion is now in its thirtieth year baring been opened by His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh in 1869, and, although at timed it has been found somewhat difficult to keep our expenditure within our income, we are now in a fairly strong financial position, though not yet able to make any return to shareholders. You will observe from the report that consider- able repairs have again been necessitated to
Saiyingpoon Market-Might be re-built and woodwork of the building, and as it grows olttaa
extended with advantage.
Tai-kok-tsui Market Is a new building which was to be coupled on January 1st, 1899. Shankiwan Market – This building it ir a good state of repair and all the stalks are let.
In my annual report for 1889 I recommended that accommodation' for at least thirty more stalls be provided, but the extension has not yet been carried out.
Shektongtsui, Wanchai, Sokonpoo, Yaumati, and Hung Hom Market are all in a good state of repair and meet all present wants.
we can hardly expect any decrease of expenditure in this respect. The recent improvements carried our in the Theatre gallery, as wellijäs some other alterations in connection with the stage, and the dressing room, the latter being required to ensure greater safety in the event of fire, bave necessitated a certain outlay, which will have to be paid out of the current year's receipts, and the Committee have dednied (it advisable to slightly raise the scale of charges for the Theatre; but I think you will admit that they are still very reasonable, taking the de- preciation of the dollar intỏ Booðühl, you Inspector Fisher went home upốn twelve will see froth the 195
report g
the Committee, have months leave on March 18th, 1898.
also been obliged, owing to the Inspectors Watson and Cotton are both de of living, to increase the pa, the lapt serving of the highest praise for the manner gaged in the City Hall, so that! Takku 641 in which they have performed thefr duties dur-ture under this bend must be looked för silho
future. With the conniderable
ASTMAL OF the foreigd population of Hongkong, since mu City Hall was opened the building I now he too large for the purposes to which it is puE SAME IG is doubtful how long the present
Native cow-keepers can never be brought to understand how very essential it is that the strictest sanitary principles should be observod when dealing with milk, nor can they. I a afraid, be ever prevented from adulterating it, which fraud, 1 am sorry to say, is now carriding the year. on to a very large extent.
Pure water added to milk-although con stitating in itself an illegal act-does not render sach milk härmful; but when it is knoy ↑ that the added water may possibly be polluted, then the danger of consuming such a mixture becomes great.
STAFF.
that much good might result for analysis ters at Kennedy Town was at times, especially |ded to the dificulty of
As the present time, as mentioned above, much adulterated milk is sold in the colony, and I think that if the Board's officers were to take Isore samples and submit
the milk con- sumers of the community generally
To boil all milk before-using it is the only Teal tafeguard 'against (tamination: 3:
obn-
Cofitral Markét.—- This building'is'in & good tate of repair, and amendment, and most of the khopy and stalls are let.
Owing to increase of trade additional accom- modation is require l'in' the poultry section for "Killing" and plucking 1a 13 aje. Vide my report So the Board ärtel #ves
h Bestemter 159
so
101
Owing to their real and vigilance several serious cases of infringement of regulations have been brought to light which might other wish have remained undiscovered!
Much credit is also due to Overseer Johan-tion' for large social gatherings, will prove sen for the smart and cleanly condition in which ficient. With reference to the Dí He kept the Central Markét during the year... Museum, gentlemen; I will y On April 19th I drew the attention of the any length, but the rooms de Board to the fact that the d
"close" proximity" of are Tregret to say: not s the Chinese Mortuary to the Inspector's quar-wish, bélög dari and
and gloo
during the summer months, a source of con- specimens in this climat siderable annoyance' to the' occtipant of these 'Keep the Museum quarters both upon sanitary and other grounds, might be. Nevertheless, and I believe that it was then decided that the tumty of exhibiting, & good. mortuary should be closed but up to the pie. articles that have been presented, Museum serves a useful purpose, sent time it continues as beförd:
use from a strictly Watchmen
himen. — These men have proved'a' con- I'mẩy be of little" ʼn tinual source of trouble Hd dissatisfaction ever standpoint. The fact that it stil since they were first engaged for the markets attract the Chinese is evidenced.
amber of visitors mentioned in the in 1887. It being found after a long trial that num they were useless in the markets, they were anyone has any questions" to then drafted to the slaughter-Houses, but (Ebre | they have proved an equal failure, Hände my
|
attr
to the report and sed duty, 1 mal to answer them.
the
to