THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 8TH DECEMBER, 1894. 3045
Then, gentlemen, when the plague had ceased, war unhappily broke out between China and Japan. In consequence of the outbreak of hostilities between these pated that there might be a revival and an increase of our trade, but I believe I am justified in powers, it was antici- saying that that expectation has not been realized to any great extent as yet.
The Colony has also been visited by several typhoons, one of which, viz., that of the 4th and 5th October, being of great severity, did a considerable amount of damage to property, though it was unattended with any serious loss of life. These misfortunes, followed by the premature death of the Lady holding the highest position in the Colony, will cause the 1894 to be remembered on all sides as one of the saddest and most disastrous in the records of the history of Hongkong.
year
It is not surprising, therefore, that I am obliged to present you with a somewhat unfavourable statement of our financial position. It is not, however, nearly so unfavourable as might have been expected. There is, undoubtedly, a marvellous recuperative power in this small but valuable possession of the Crown, for had it not been for the actual expenditure on account of the plague-some $150,000—and the fall of silver below 2/6, the rate at which the Estimates for 1894 were prepared, which is accountable for another $150,000, I should have had to announce to you a probable surplus of revenue over expenditure in 1894 of some $200,000. ́ I am not, however, able to do so, and some additional taxation is consequently unavoidable.
The Estimated Revenue for 1894 at 2/6 was $2,007,210 and the Expenditure $1,998,745, showing a probable surplus of $8,465.
From the latest returns the following will approximately be the amounts :-
Revenue $2,186,506, $179,000 more than the estimate. Expenditure $2,252,912, deficit $66,406. Of the above Expenditure $150,000, as I have said, was spent in grappling with the plague; $150,000 is owing to depreciation from 2/6 to 2/1 the dollar, and about $22,000 is owing to loss of Rates, Crown Rents, &c., caused by the plague.
For 1895 I have taken 2/1 as the probable average value of the dollar, and the Estimated Returns will be as follows
Revenue $1,999,076. Expenditure $2,041,637,-showing a deficit of $42,561. On account of Public Works Extraordinary a further suin of $24,670 will be required, making the deficit $67,231. This deficit is nearly accounted for by the falling off in the Opium Revenue, which shows a decrease of $54,800. The farm will be let from the 1st March, 1895, at $286,000 a year instead of $340,800.
I propose to meet the deficit of $67,231 in the following way:--
(1) By an increase of stamp duties, which is expected to yield $40,000 a year; (2) By an increase in fees to be paid for spirit licences, estimated to yield $16,500 per annum; and (3) By an increase in pawnbrokers' fees, yielding $23,950 a year. These sums amount altogether to $80,450, so that the additional taxation will not only cover the deficit but leave a surplus of about $13,200. I have already submitted these proposals to you, gentlemen, the Unofficial Members of Council, and you have expressed your concurrence in them. I may remind you that at the same time you expressed yourselves not averse to still further taxation by way of an increase in rates, a small tax on European shipping, and one also on kerosine if it was necessary to impose them. I am very glad indeed to say that these additional imposts will not now be necessary. For the assistance that you rendered to the Government on the occasions of our meeting to discuss these matters I beg to return you my grateful thanks. When such happy relations exist between the Official and Unofficial Members as now obtain, the duties of a Governor are rendered far less laborious and irksome than they would otherwise be.
The chief liability which the Colony has been obliged to incur in connection with the plague has been that which will arise out of proceedings under the Taipingshan Resumption Ordinance. That Act is now in operation, and during the ensuing year arrangements will have to be made for covering the expenses thrown upon the Colony by its provisions.
The object of the Ordinance is, as you are aware, to permit the resumption by the Crown of a certain prescribed area of the City of Victoria which was one of the filthiest and most overcrowded spots in the Colony, and consequently the centre of the plague. The necessity of the resumption was apparent. According to the best advice available to the Government, the houses in the neighbourhood were infected. Many of the buildings were small, dark, badly drained and ventilated, and many quite unfit for human habitation. It is obvious that whether the wholesale or partial destruction of the buildings and realignment of the streets is eventually decided upon, the work must be under one controlling power, and that power must be the Government.