618
Aberdeen.
There is no slaughter-house at this place and I would advise that one be erected as soon as possible, to be placed in such a position as to be available for the three villages of Aberdeen, Ap Liu Chau, and Little Hongkong.
Stanley
Has no slaughter-house at present and I think that a small one should be built, the accommodation required would be very small, and a building for this purpose could be erected at a moderate cost.
Shaukiwan
Has no proper slaughter-house, the present one being simply the basement floor of a Chinese dwelling-house. As the number of animals killed there is comparatively large a better building would be required than at Stanley but the cost would probably not be great.
Number of animals slaughtered during year ending 31st December, 1890:--
Cattle. 365
Swine. 2,555
Yaumati
I am pleased to say that the Government have already voted a sum of money in this year's estimates to provide for a slaughter-house in this part of the Colony, the present one being the basement floor of a Chinese dwelling house.
Number of animals slaughtered during year ending December 31st, 1890:-
Cattle. 1,825
Swine. 8,760
Total for the Colony.
Cattle. 10,091
Sheep. 123,833
Swine. 18,519
Imports for year ending December 31st, 1890:--
Number of fowls, ducks,
Aberdeen. 459,935
716,958
Up to the present time this place has had no public market and I would suggest that the matter be considered by the Board at the earliest opportunity.
The three villages of Aberdeen, Ap Liu Chau and Little Hongkong could all be supplied from one point which should be Aberdeen.
Stanley
Is also without a market but I think that as the population of this place is small that there is no pressing necessity for one at present.
Yaumati.
Twenty-five stalls are vacant in this market and I am of opinion that this is due in a great measure to the large number of hawkers which are allowed to congregate outside the gates.
HAWKERS.
In my report of January, 1890, I mentioned the great nuisance caused by hawkers gathering round the entrances of the principal markets, and I am pleased to say that since the 25th of March arrangements have been made which dispel in a great measure this obstruction, except at Yaumati where the nuisance remains unabated.
With reference to my remarks upon the above subjects I beg to draw the attention of the Board to Section 8 of Ordinance 17 of 1887.
HONGKONG, 12th January, 1891.
C. VIVIAN LADDS, M.R.C.V.S. Lond., F.E.V.M.A.,
Colonial Veterinary Surgeon,
MARKETS.
Central.
This is still a temporary erection pending the building of the new market. During my absence a report was submitted to the Board by the Assistant Inspector of Markets calling their attention to the bad smells arising from the fore-shore over which the market is built. The matter was looked into by the Sanitary Superintendent and under his direction the nuisance was abated by clearing away all sand, &c., which was exposed at low tide.
I would now like to draw the attention of the Board to the fact that fruit shop No. 2 is situated directly above the mouth of a sewer which discharges at this point into the harbour, and as the smell from which is at times very objectionable, I would advise that at least two or three of these shops, if not the whole eight, be closed and that temporary ones be erected elsewhere for the occupants.
Imports during year ending December 31st, 1890:
Number of fowls, ducks,
160,776 50,644
Western.
This market is the principal centre of the Chinese trade, and is situated in the heart of the most populous district.
Having been built for a great number of years when the requirements were much less than at the present time, the accommodations are not all which could be wished and it should be re-constructed as soon as possible.
A site has, I believe, been selected for a new building opposite to the Sailors' Home, and is now being reclaimed: but in my opinion it is not a suitable position at all, unless to be used as a wholesale market which was the intention of Mr. PRICE when starting the same.
As a retail market it would be much too far away from the bulk of the people who should draw their supplies from it; Saiyingpoon market amply meeting all requirements in that district.
I think that the present position is a most desirable one and there should be ample space to erect a new building upon it which would answer every purpose.
I believe it was at one time the intention of the Government to abolish the Saiyingpoon Market but this I think would be undesirable.
7