Sessional_Paper_1886-1887 — Page 70

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LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL No. 26.

FRIDAY, 22ND APRIL, 1887.

67

PRESENT:

HIS EXCELLENCY WILLIAM HENRY MARSH, C.M.G.,

Administering the Government in the absence of His Excellency SIR GEORGE FERGUSON BOWEN, G.C.M.G. His Honour the Acting Chief Justice (JAMES RUSSELL), vice His Honour SIR GEORGE

PHILLIPPO, Knt., on leave.

The Honourable the Acting Colonial Secretary, (FREDERICK STEWART.)

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the Acting Attorney General, (EDWARD JAMES ACKROYD.)

the Colonial Treasurer, (ALFRED LISTER.)

the Surveyor General, (JOHN MACNEILE PRICE.)

HENRY GEORGE THOMSETT, R.N.

PHINEAS RYRIE.

WONG SHING.

JOHN BELL-IRVING, (vice the Honourable WILLIAM KESWICK, on leave). ALEXANDER PALMER MACEWEN, (vice the Honourable THOMAS JACKSON,

on leave).

CATCHICK PAUL CHATER, (vice the Honourable FREDERICK DAVID SAS-

SOON, on leave).

The Council met pursuant to notice.

The Minutes of the last Meeting, held on the 15th instant, are read and confirmed.

VOTES OF MONEY REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. Read the following Minutes by His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government:-

C.5.0.

68 of 1887.

W. H. MARSH.

(1.)

The Officer Administering the Government recommends the Council to vote the sum of $9,600 for the extension of the Cattle Depôt at Kennedy Town.

The present Depôt can accommodate 240 head of cattle intended to be slaughtered for the meat supply of the City; but the requirements of the town and of the shipping have grown so largely that the Acting Registrar General now states that the present accommodation is inadequate, and that room should be provided for at least 360 head of cattle.

A copy of a letter on this subject from the Surveyor General is annexed. Government House, Hongkong, 22nd April, 1887.

No. 9.

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 Depot 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.