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FOOD SUPPLY COMMISSION.
EVIDENCE OF J. T. COTTON, GIVEN BEFORE THE FOOD COMMISSION, JUNE 25TH AND 26TH, 1900.
Q.--How long have you held the post of Inspector?
A.--I have been an Inspector since 1st January, 1895, one year in the Slaughter- house, and three years and three months as Inspector of Nuisances, and the remainder of my time as Inspector of Markets.
Q. How many Slaughter-houses are there?
A. Two-one at Kennedy Town and one at Hung Hom.
Q.-What animals are killed in the Slaughter-houses?
A. Cattle, sheep and swine.
Q-What was the average number slaughtered daily during 1899 ?
A.
-From 60-70 cattle, 15-20 sheep, and from 300-400 swine.
Q. What is the average weight of the cattle imported?
A. (1) From Huifung the cattle average about 600-700 catties, live weight.
(2) From Canton and Lin Chow from 400-500 catties.
(3) From New Territory about 200-300 catties.
Q-What is the mode of procedure on admission to the Slaughter-house?
A. The cattle are slaughtered and dressed by the employees of their respective owners, who pay a fee of 40 cents to the Governinent Contractor for slaughtering all cattle over a picul, and 20 cents for cattle weighing under a picul. The Contractor also gets the offal, blood and hair of all animals.
Q. Does the Contractor get the skins of the sheep?
A.--No, the Contractor only gets the blood.
Q. What is paid for slaughtering sheep and pigs?
A. The same as for cattle, but in the case of pigs the Contractor kills and dresses them at his own expense.
Q.-How many cattle butchers are there?
A.-Seven or eight.
Q. Who imports the cattle?
A.—Sing Kee and Tung Wing import the cattle through their agents in Canton.
Q. Does the Hongkong Butchery import cattle?
A. Yes, as Sing Kee trades under the name of the Hongkong Butchery.
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Are these two men the only importers?
A. The other butchers buy from cattle dealers from Tung Kung who bring the
cattle to Hongkong and sell them in the Depôts.
Q. How long does it take cattle to come overland?
A. From 10 to 12 days from Huifung.
Q.-Are any cattle brought by sea?
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