The total estimated expenditure, on the other hand, amounts to $2,479,062, of which $197,200 is for Public Works Extraordinary and chargeable to the Loan. After deducting this sum there remains a total estimated expenditure chargeable to current revenue of $2,281,862, or an estimated surplus of revenue over expenditure of $6,504.
The chief increases on the expenditure side, as compared with the Estimates for 1895, appear under the following heads :-
1. Public Works Extraordinary chargeable to revenue,
2. Public Works, Recurrent,.........
3. Public Debt,
4. Military Expenditure,
5. Sanitary Department,
.$90,130
$15,200
.$16,843
.$44,215
$12,206
.$ 5,921
6. Medical Departments,.
The first item includes $30,000 towards the Taipingshan Improvement Scheme, $15,000 for Public Latrines, $17,000 for a new Isolation Hospital, a very urgent requirement, $10,000 towards the extension of the Public Recreation Ground at Happy Valley, and certain sums for the construction and extension of roads at Kowloon. The increase under the second head is partly on account of sewerage works, the extension of the system involving an additional cost for upkeep, and partly for maintenance of waterworks at Kowloon chargeable to Water Account.
The increase on account of Public Debt is due to the contribution to the New Sinking Fund, which commences in October next.
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As regards the Military Expenditure the annual contribution has been calculated at 17 per cent. of the estimated revenue for 1896, exclusive of premia on Land Sales. There is also provided a sum of $40,000 for "Barrack Services" during the year. I am in possession of the views of the Unofficial Members on this subject, and they are receiving the attention of the Imperial Government. As the matter is still sub judice, I would ask you, gentlemen, to vote the sum provided in the Estimates subject to such further representations as you may hereafter have to make, and to such modifications as may hereafter be approved.
i
The large increase in the cost of the Sanitary Department appears alarming at first sight, but admits of easy explanation. It is on account of the additional staff required for the New Central Market and Sheep and Pig Depôts as well as for the cost of lighting the former ($7,000) for which no provision was made in the Estimates of 1895. Against this increase must be set the additional revenue derived from the new market and depôts. The increase in the Medical Department is accounted for by the appointment of a Medical Officer of Health who is borne on the medical establishment.
As a compensation for this additional expenditure various economies have been effected in other directions, notably in the Colonial Secretary's Office, the Registrar General's Department, the Magistracy, the Police, the Fire Brigade, and under Miscellaneous Services. Numerous offices have still to be dealt with on the lines recommended by the Retrenchment Committee.
In addition to the reduction of establishments, which has already been effected, the salaries of the Treasury staff have been re-adjusted in such a manner as to secure a saving of $2,246. Reductions have also been made in the Post Office, Stamp Office, and the Supreme Court Office.
From this statement you will gather that no favourable opportunity for effecting retrenchment has been lost, and you may rely on me to curtail expenditure, so far as is practicable, as occasion offers in the future.
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