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Q. What has been the increase within the last three years in the number of cattle ?
A.-There is very little. During the last three years there has been an inrcease of 3,000 head.
Q.--Take six years ago what has been the increase ?
A.-4,000.
Q-During the last ten years has there been any big jump?
A.-There has never been any big jump. It has been a steady rise since 1890. It was 18,519 and last year it was 23,512.
Mr. Osborne.The biggest jump was in 1899 ?
A. Yes, that was due to the increased number of men-of-war in the harbour.
Q.-In 1898 was there any great increase in the demand for sheep or cattle ?
A.-No.
A.-Did the demand for Manila and the American Fleet make any difference? A. Yes. In 1898, 1,000 cattle and 1,000 sheep difference,
Mr. Osborne. The demand was there, but the supply was not there?
A.--The supply was always ample.
Q.-Was there any marked increase in the price of cattle in 1896, 1897, 1898 and 1899, especially in 1898-1899 ?
A. Yes, cattle went up 10 dollars a head the last two years. During the last ten years they more than doubled.
Q.-Well, has that increase in the last ten years been a steady increase in the price of cattle?
A.-No. There has been a small jump now and then.
Q.-In what year was the jump?
A.-It was in 1897-1898 as far as I can recollect.
Q.-Was it before the commencement of the Manila War or was it then?
A.-I think it was before.
Q.-Have you in your office any record of numbers and prices of cattle?
A.--No record of prices, but of numbers.
Q.-Sheep, have they increased in the same proportion?
A. Yes.
Q.-As much as 100 per cent. in the ten years?
A.-Not quite so much as that. They have increased considerably, but I forget what they were ten years ago.
Q.-Does it not look as if the steady increase in price during the past ten years was due to the increased demand and stationary supply?
A.-No, I think there is an unlimited supply.
Q.-What is the reason, then, of such a monstrous increase?
A. Some fellows would tell you that it was due to the foreign exchange.
Q-Is the Market accommodation on the whole sufficient in Hongkong? A.-No.
Q-In what respect is it insufficient? You say there is plenty of accommodation for pork and you also said for butchers there was no demand for their stalls.
A.—I don't remember saying that, but still that is so.
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