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422
No. 9.
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 30TH APRIL, 1887.
Enclosure.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT,
HONGKONG, 10th January, 1887.
SIR,-Some years ago the Government built a Cattle Depôt at Kennedy Town destined to accommodate the cattle intended to be slaughtered for the meat supply of the City. It was stated at the time that room for 120 head of cattle would suffice, and that the market or depôt could be enlarged subsequently as the demands of the Colony increased.
2. Two years ago the question was again considered, and it was stated that accommodation should be provided for at least 240 head of cattle. Accordingly in 1885, the Government placed on the Colonial Estimates for 1886, a sum of $10,000 for this extension of the Depôt.
3. But the fact is the wants of the town and of the shipping are growing enormously from day to day, and the Registrar General now states that the recent extension is inadequate and that room should be provided in the Depôt for at least 360 head of cattle.
4. Of the necessity for this further extension, I myself can entertain no doubt, for, on a recent examination of the place, I saw many bullocks picketted outside, exposed to all weathers, for want of room in the sheds.
5. Cattle exposed in this unsheltered and somewhat inhuman manner are liable to contract disease, and as the Government now pays compensation for diseased cattle destroyed, there is always a risk of more or less heavy demands being made on the Colonial Treasury on this
account.
6. A further extension of the cattle sheds so as to enable them to hold 360 head, would involve an outlay of $9,600, and if this proposition were sanctioned a special vote for this amount would have to be asked of the Legislative Council.
7. I ought, however, to mention that a balance has remained over of $1,840 from last year's vote of $10,000, so that if a special vote of $9,600 were now asked for, a proportion of $1,840 would in reality be nothing more than a re-vote, and it would only be the balance, i.e., $7,760 that would represent new expenditure.
S. As a considerable revenue may be derived from this place if enlarged, the Government will doubtless have all the greater inducement to sanction a further extension of the accommo- dation. The 120 stalls proposed now to be added will bring in an additional $40 a month, representing a return of 5 per cent, on the outlay.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
The Honourable F. STEWART, LL.D.,
Acting Colonial Secretary,
&c.,
&c.,
&c.
(2.)
J. M. PRICE, Surveyor General.
C.S.O. 954 of 1887.
W. H. MARSH.
On the representation of the Surveyor General and the Harbour Master, that the Officer's Quarters at Stone Cutters's Island Magazine are now in such a state as to make any further postponement of repairs unsafe, the Officer Administering the Government recommends the Council to vote the sum of $2,000 to defray this service.
Government House, Hongkong, 22nd April, 1887.
The Acting Colonial Secretary moved that these votes be referred to the Finance Committee. The Treasurer seconded.
Question-put and passed.
PAPERS.-The Acting Colonial Secretary, by direction of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, laid upon the table the following papers:―
(a.) The Blue Book for 1886.
(b.) Report on the Blue Book for 1886. (No. 27).
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