4.
of the Western Slaughter House.
Not only are these duties too much for one man, but I maintain that there is no Government servant, as far as I am aware, possessing the knowledge requisite for their proper discharge. Inspector Orley, who held the post of Inspector of Markets for 10 years, acquired by his long experience some practical acquaintance of cattle, and Inspector Rae has also, I believe, a similar knowledge. But in a Colony like that of Hong Kong, where the food supply requires such careful attention and is of such moment, not only to the community in general, but also to the naval and military departments, where questions not unfrequently arise that can be decided only by an expert, where the proper diagnosis of cattle disease is of importance to the public health, involving, as it does, the prevention of epidemics and the sale of unwholesome food, it would appear that something more than a rough and ready acquaintance with cattle and their diseases is requisite. This was very clearly illustrated, I think, during the outbreak of the cattle epidemic. I am right in saying that at that time there was not a person in the Government employ able to properly diagnose the disease from which the cattle were suffering. Consequently, though prompt and energetic measures were taken by the Sanitary Authorities, it was impossible that the epidemic, the origin of which was uncertain, could be dealt with as effectually as would have been the case had Government been able to secure the services of a competent Veterinary Surgeon. I am strongly of opinion that the Government should obtain the services of such an officer instead of resting content with the empirical...