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Remarks. A staff of thirty-six coolies attend to the cleansing of the various markets, a certain number being stationed at each place and they are changed as occasion requires. All the principal markets are inspected twice or thrice daily, and those situated beyond the limits of the City as often as possible, but not less than two or three times per week. The markets are regulated by Ordinance No. 17 of 1887, and by rules and regulations under the Ordinance published in the Gazette dated 25th June, 1887. During the past year there have been 307 convictions at the Police Court for breaches of these regulations, most of the cases being from the Central, Western, and Saiyingpoon districts.
SLAUGHTER HOUSES.
Victoria. One slaughter house suffices to serve the whole City, and it is situated at the extreme western end of Queen's Road. It is an old building, far too small and inconvenient for present pur- poses and a new one is in course of construction at Kennedy Town. Two watchmen are stationed here, one is on duty from 6 A.M. to 6 P.M., the other from 6 P.M. to 6 A.M. Their duties are to prevent the slaughtering of sheep and cattle unless bearing the official mark, to see all animals entering the slaughter house, and to report any infringement of the bye-laws to the Colonial Veterinary, Surgeon. The hours of duty as at present laid down for these men are much too long and a third one should be appointed, giving them eight hours each instead of twelve. A supply of water is laid on.
The pre- mises are kept clean by the lessee. The number of animals killed during the past year is as follows:
Cattle, 18,218
Sheep. 9,673
Swine. 122,942
Shaukiwan. The present slaughter house is a shed erected near the stream at the entrance of the village and is unsuited to the purpose for which it is used. The attention of the Board was called to this matter in my annual report of 1890. No watchman. The daily average of animals killed is 14 swine only.
Yaumati. Situate in a back street in the centre of the village, is the ground-floor of a Chinese dwelling house. I am pleased to say that a new one is being constructed midway between this village and Hunghom to serve for both. There is no watchman stationed here at present, but, upon the completion of the new building, I hope to see one appointed. The daily average of animals killed is 7 cattle and 12 swine, but I am under the impression that a large number of the latter are killed in private dwelling-houses both at this place and Shaukiwan.
ANIMAL DEPÔTS,
Government Cattle Depôt.-Situate at Kennedy Town, is a particularly suitable building for the housing of cattle and with the extension is capable of bolding 480 animals. A watchman is stationed at the depôt from 6 A.M. to 5 P.M. daily, Sundays excepted, and with the usual half holiday on Saturday. The number of cattle entering the depôt during the present year was 15,265, the number rejected as unfit for use being 806.
Cheong Hing Cattle Depôt.—This is a small private place totally unfit for the purpose for which it is used and will be no doubt done away with upon the completion of the extension of the Govern- ment depôt.
Sheep Depôts.---The sheep up to the present time have always been housed in private depôts which are situated in various parts of the City, these places being as a rule the ground-floor of a Chinese dwelling-house. They are, of course, very unsuitable places and I am glad to say that permanent depôts for the reception of sheep are now being constructed by the Government to be conducted upon the same principle as the cattle depôt. These premises are inspected daily.
Swine Depôts.-The swine are housed in private depôts which are situated on the Praya near to the Sailors' Home. They are inspected daily. A swine depôt is being constructed by the Govern- ment at Kennedy Town and will supply a long-felt want.
Remarks. The slaughter house and animal depôts are regulated by the provisions of Ordinance No. 17 of 1887, and the rules and regulations made thereunder. During the past year there have been no serious cases of disease in any of the depôts. Since the year 1887, the number of cattle im- ported for slaughter has increased by nearly 25 per cent, and the number of swine by about 20 per cent. I am about to forward to the Board a special report upon the importation of dead meat into the Colony and shall then take that opportunity to express my views upon a complete system of in- spection to regulate the meat supply as applied to the importation of animals whether alive or dead.
Staff-There was a considerable amount of sickness amongst the members of my staff during the past year, and I regret to say that Inspector RAE, who was admitted into the Civil Hospital on October 3rd last, is still a patient of that institution. I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for the very able manner in which he has always carried out his duties and trust soon to see him return to them. During the absence of Inspector RAE, Inspector FISHER has been acting in his stead and very great credit is due to him for the energetic way in which he has performed his work. My thanks are also due to Police Inspector HANSON, at Yaumati, who has rendered signal service by the prompt action taken when detecting cases of importation of diseased animals into the Colony.
HONGKONG, 14th March, 1892.
C. VIVIAN LADDS, M.R.C.V.S. Lond., F.E.V.M.A., Colonial Veterinary Surgeon,
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