Sessional_Paper_1895 — Page 438

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The total number slaughtered were as follows:—

1893,...........

Sheep and Goats.

11,770 10,937

Swine.

131,298

Cattle.

..17,866

DAIRIES.

1894,.....................16,898

125,725

Two serious outbreaks of disease amongst dairy cattle occurred during the year.

On February 26th, I reported to the Board that several cases of contagious pleuro pneumonia had broken out in the herd, the property of the Dairy Farm Company at Pokfulum.

The Board met that day, and decided that owing to the isolated position of the farm it was not necessary to adopt the radical measure of slaughtering the whole herd, but were of opinion that the strict segregation and subsequent slaughter of all diseased animals, and the immediate inoculation of the remainder of the herd which were not affected, would meet the requirements of the case.

Fifteen animals contracted the disease and were dealt with accordingly; whilst one hundred and fifty-eight (158) animals were successfully inoculated, with only one fatal result therefrom.

No fresh cases occurred after the herd was inoculated, and the premises were accordingly declared free from disease.

It is a matter of congratulation that the Board decided to allow the inoculation of the herd, and which proved so successful, rather than adopt the more drastic method of "slaughtering out" which would have cost the Colony at least $20,000.

There is no doubt that the disease was conveyed to the farm by animals which had been imported from Australia.

I have frequently tried to impress upon the dairy farmers the risk attendant upon the introduction of foreign animals into their herds, at the same time pointing out the many advantages of colonial- bred cattle. Animals bred and reared in the Colony being naturally less susceptible to fevers, and other tropical diseases.

The second outbreak was that of cattle plague, or rinderpest, which occurred in two native dairies at Wanchai.

I reported the matter to the Board on the morning of April 11th, and at a Special Meeting which was held that afternoon, it was decided to slaughter and bury the whole of the animals housed in the two sheds without delay.

The order was carried out at once, and before midnight the premises had been thoroughly cleansed, and disinfected.

Twenty-six animals in all were destroyed, the owners receiving compensation to the amount of

$1,126.

In this case the disease was brought across by animals imported from the mainland.

As far back as 1889, I recommended that no dairies be licensed by the Board within the pre- cincts of the City, but I regret to note that no steps have yet been taken to consider my suggestion.

In fact I go so far as to say that no animals, either sheep, swine, or cattle, should be housed in the City.

MARKETS.

Temporary Central. This market was damaged a good deal during the typhoon season, but was speedily repaired temporarily by the Public Works Department.

Only two or three stalls have been vacant during the year, and these chiefly on account of bad positions.

Western. The position of the Western market has always made it a very popular one, and it supplies a densely populated district.

2

The articles of food sold therein are almost entirely for native consumption. In my annual report for 1890, I mentioned that the building was very old, and did not meet present requirements, recom- mending that it be re-constructed upon its present site as soon as possible.

A Committee of the Board considered the matter, and in a report dated May 19th, 1891, recom- mended that the market be re-built.

Nothing, however, has yet been done.

Taipingshan.-This market being in the condemned plague area was closed on June 19th. It was never a popular market, and can be easily dispensed with.

Saiyingpoon. My remarks upon the Western market apply equally to this one.

It is an old insanitary structure, does not at all meet present requirements, and should be re-built as soon as possible.

Shektongtsui, Wanchai, Sokonpoo, Yaumati, and Hunghom markets are all in a good state of repair, and amendment.

Shaukiwan.-In my annual report for 1889, I mentioned that this market was far too small, and recommended that accommodation for at least thirty more stalls be provided.

So far nothing has been done.