I consider that I am bound to redeem the pledge given by my Predecessor to the effect that this special rate should cease as soon as the cost of the Lighthouse had been defrayed.
With a view of covering the deficit which will result from this abolition five of the six Unofficial Members are of opinion that a fixed charge of 24 cents per ton should in future be imposed as light dues on all shipping entering the harbour, and in that opinion I concur. The criminal statistics are highly satisfactory. Comparing the number of cases under various headings for the 12 months ending 31st October, 1896, with those for the preceding twelve months we find decreases of 21 per cent. in robberies from the person, 53 per cent. in burglaries and larcenies from dwellings, 30 per cent, in cases of obtaining money under false pretences, 37 per cent. in cases of unlawful possession, and 7 per cent. in larcenies. There were 25 cases of wilful wounding as against 17 in the preceding period, and 14 more cases under the Women and Girls' Protection Ordinance than in the previous 12 months. increases under various other heads are trifling and the number of murder cases was the same for both periods.
The new Home of the Pó Léung Kuk, or Society for the Protection of Women and Girls was opened by me on the 13th of November. Government contributed, towards the cost of its erection, a sum of $20,000. The Society has already done good work, and it is hoped, that now it is in possession of a Home, it will be able not only to continue its labours, but to carry them on more efficiently. It gives me pleasure at all times to aid the Chinese community of this Colony in charitable work, such as that of protecting those who are not able to protect themselves, and I shall always be ready to give them what assistance lies in my power to render such work as thorough as possible.
From the foregoing remarks, gentlemen, you will gather that on the whole the condi- tion of the Colony socially, politically, and financially, is very satisfactory. We have had during the term of my Government two visitations of plague. We have had strikes, several typhoons and on one occasion a vast and unparalleled exodus of people, but Hongkong has held its own with wonderful vitality. Government has not harassed the community with unnecessary or vexatious legislation. The law has been enforced whenever it was necessary, but the community, speaking generally, is happily a law abiding one. The revenue has increased and is increasing with the growth of population, and the only drawback to a wider and more extensive outlook is the limited area of the Colony itself.
In conclusion, gentlemen, you will believe me when I say that as long as I remain here-and for how much longer that may be I cannot tell I shall continue to co-operate with you in any measures having for their object the public good. I pray that your deli- berations under the blessing of God may conduce not only to the honour of Her Majesty The QUEEN, but to the increased happiness and welfare of the entire community of this Her Majesty's possession in the Far East.
Council Chamber, Hongkong, 3rd December, 1896.
WILLIAM ROBINSON.
STANDING COMMITTEES.-His Excellency appointed the following Committees :-
(a) Finance Committee,→
The Colonial Secretary, Chairman.
All the Members of Council, except the Governor.
(b) Law Committee,—
The Attorney General, Chairman.
Honourable J. J. BELL-IRVING
Honourable Ho KAI.
Honourable E. R. BELILIOS.
Honourable WEI YUK.
(b) Public Works Committee,-
The Director of Public Works. Chairman.
The Colonial Treasurer.
Honourable C. P. CHATER.
Honourable E. R. BELILIOS, Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.