The total expenditure for the last 5 years was as follows:-
1882,
$33,743.29
1883,
35,412.26
1884,
36,758.14
1885,
36,085.27
1886,
43,085.50
317
19.-EXCHANGES, MONEYS, WEIGHTS AND Measures.
Exchange.
The rate of Exchange on 4 months' Bills on London fell from 3s. 41d. per dollar on the 4th January, 1886 to 3s. 04d. on the 4th August. In the month of December following the rate had risen to 38. 4 d.
Currency.
The law affecting currency has remained unchanged.
Bank Notes.
The Bank Notes in circulation in Hongkong during the last 5 years, as furnished by the Managers of the respective Banks, were as follows:-
Years.
1882,
1883.
1884,
1885.
1886,
Average Amount. $ 4,253,367
5,099,661
4,214,787
4,080,071
4,368,705
Money Circulation.
Specie in Reserve. $ 1,536,666
1,779,166
1,810,833
2,000,833
2,138,333
The approximate amount of Coin put into circulation up to 31st December, 1886, was as follows:-
Hongkong Dollars and half Dollars struck at the Hongkong Mint,......$1,421,487 Hongkong Silver and Copper Subsidiary Coins (20, 10, and 5 cent
pieces; and 1 Cent and Mil pieces),
The importation of Copper Coin has been discontinued,
Weights and Measures.
.$1,983,881
The Weights and Measures in use in the Colony are regulated by Ordinance 8 of 1885.
20.-IMPORTS AND EXPORTS.
There being no Custom House, it is not possible to furnish an account of the Imports and Exports.
21.-SHIPPIng.
Arrivals exclusive of Junks.
The total arrivals, exclusive of Junks, during the year 1886, amounted to 4,251 vessels and 4,571,296 tons, being an excess of 823 vessels and 704,587 tons over the arrivals in 1885.
Junks.
22,971 Junks measuring 1,752,868 tons arrived in the Colony in 1886, as against 23.674 Junks and 1,797,222 tons in 1885, showing a decrease of 703 Junks and 44,354 tons.
Arrivals exclusive of Junks.
The total arrivals exclusive of Junks, for the last 5 years were:-
Years.
1882,.
1883.
1884,.
18$5,.... 1886,...
Number of Vessels.
Tons.
3,437
3,170,843
3.399
3,450,428
3,290
3,479,637
3,428
3,866,709
4,251
4,571,296