Sessional_Paper_1901 — Page 179

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(8.) Our enquiries have failed to suggest any practical remedies of real value, and, bearing in mind the many objections there are to legislative interference in trade affairs,

we can only make the following recommendations:--

(2.) That increased Market accommodation be provided and meanwhile, in order to relieve pressure on existing Markets, that fruit and vegetables be sold outside in licensed shops.

(b.) That Markets be used for the sale of perishable food only, Biscuits, Hams, Tinned Meat, Jams and such like stores should not be sold in Markets, as the letting of stalls for such purposes tends to crowd out the legitimate vendors of fresh produce.

(c.) That further endeavours be made to stamp out piracy.

(d.) The cheapening of rents by opening new building areas with means of

conveyance by tramways and ferries.

(e.) The reduction of Market rents to such level as will provide just sufficient

funds to cover interest on capital and working expenses.

Markets should not be a source of profit.

(f) The encouragement of foreign ladies to make their own purchases by having the Markets kept clean and by clearing the passages of loafers.

(9.) We recommend that an attempt be made to encourage the villagers of the New

Territory to breed cattle by providing them with funds for the purchase of stock (to be repaid when the animal is brought to market) or with heifers from a Government stockyard.

(10.) We also recommend that an attempt be made to induce them to grow vegetables and rear poultry, and suggest that attached to each Police Station should be a European gardener whose business, assisted by Chinese, it would be to cultivate vegetables as an object lesson to surrounding natives and to provide them with seed imported by Government.

(11.) We specially recommend that trials be made in the New Territory (Shatin Valley

for instance) in growing Potatoes.

The best Potatoes sold in Hongkong are those grown at Macao, and it does not appear unreasonable to suppose that what will grow near Macao will grow equally well in the New Territory.

(12.) We desire to state in conclusion that the delay in the publication of the Food Commission Report has been due to the Chairman of the Commission being unable to afford the time for the prosecution of the enquiry and the preparation of the Report.

Hongkong, 18th December, 1900.

EDWARD OSBORNE.

A. M. MARSHALL.

F. MAITLAND,

FUNG WA CHUN.

WILLIAM HARTIGAN.