( 45 )
Mr. Maitland.--What does the farmer pay?
A. It is let by tender. The tender this year is, I think, 45,000 dollars.
Dr. Hartigan. How does that pay him?
A. He gets it back by fees. It pays him very well.
Mr. Francis.---How does he make out his $15,000 a year. 23,000 cattle at 40 cents each would bring him $9,200 ; his 17,000 sheep would bring him $5,000 odds.
Mr. Ladds.
Then there are his 156,292 swine.
he has other things.
He gets the blood and hair.
Besides these fees which he charges
Dr. Hartigan. You told us that all the stalls were put up for auction. Did not the man we had yesterday tell us he was only paying $10 a month? In your report you give us cases of where the stalls were as much as between $60 and $70 a month.
—
A. That is in the Western. It is said that Sing Kee rents the Hongkong But- chery in conjunction with some European. There was a European had something to do with it some years ago but not now to my knowledge.
Q. How is it possible that he should have got this stall for $10 and the other for $35 when you say there are 10 stalls vacant just now?
A. He is not obliged to pay that. He offers that sum.
Q-If he didn't offer that, he wouldn't get the stall apparently ?
A. They pick their positions. It is the first stall nearest the entrance that the Chinese like best.
Q. Is this stall of Sing Kee's at $10 inferior to the one at $35 ?
A.-Not much.
Q. If there is so little competition for stalls as you say, how do you say that we want so many more Markets?
A. I think there are enough stalls for ineat, but not enough for vegetables, poultry, fish and the like.
Q. With regard to these vegetables you told us that there were ten vacant stalls in the Market. Did you recommend to the Government to give up these ten at $1 each and they refused?
A. Yes.
Q.-You told us just now about the Hongkong Butchery. Yesterday's witness, Li Sing, told us he had been 21 years in the Market and no European had ever had anything to do with it. Is that true?
A. — Vo.
Mr. Francis. I know of my own knowledge that Howell of the Supreme Court was connected with the Hongkong Butchery some years ago. I forget the name of the European who was working along with him.
Dr. Hartigaa. As far as your knowledge goes, do you know if there is any European having any interest in any stall in the Market at present?
A.--No.
Q.--Have you ever heard that Mr. Howell made any statement openly in the Hongkong Hotel?
times.
A.-I never go to the Hongkong Hotel.
Q.-Was it well known that he had something to do with this butchery business? A.—I have no personal knowledge except that I have seen him in there several
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.