Sessional_Paper_1886-1887 — Page 129

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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 au 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, ¿e., $7,760 that would represent new expenditure.

8. 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.

The Honourable F. STEWART, LL.D.,

Acting Colonial Secretary,

&c..

&c.,

&c.

Your obedient Servant,

J. M. PRICE, Surveyor General.

C.S.O. 954 of 1887.

After explanation by the Acting Colonial Secretary, the Committee recommend that the amount be voted.

Officers' Quarters, Stone Cutters' Island.

(2.) Read the following Minute by His Excellency the Officer Administering the Govern-

ment:

W. H. MARSH.

On the representation of the Surveyor General and the Harbour Master, that the Officers' Quarters at Stone Cutters' 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.

After explanation by the Acting Colonial Secretary, the Committee recommend that the amount be voted.

The Committee then adjourn sine die.

Laid before the Legislative Council on the 6th May, 1887.

Read and confirmed this 13th day of May, 1887.

ARATHOON SETH,

Clerk of Councils.

FREDERICK STEWART,

Chairman.