585
No. 87
96
HONGKONG.
CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING THE ABOLITION OF THE SPECIAL GAP ROCK LIGHTHOUSE RATE.
SIR,
Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Governor,
(Secretary, Chamber of Commerce, to Colonial Secretary.)
HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE,
HONGKONG, 31st July, 1896.
This Chamber, naturally regardful of any question bearing on the pros- perity of the port, is anxious to see that no impost levied for a special object should be suffered thereafter to become a permanent charge on the shipping frequenting it.
When in reply to a question put by the Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD in the Legislative Council on the 8th instant the fact was elicited that the total sum received as the proceeds of the Special Gap Rock Lighthouse Rate from 1889 (date of levy) to the 30th June last was $358,521, while the amount expended during the same period for construction of lighthouse, laying of cable, and main- tenance was $315,935, showing a balance of $42,586 in hand, my Committee felt that the time had arrived to ask the Government to redeem the pledge made by Sir WILLIAM DES Vœux to abolish the extra tax of one and a half cents per ton on shipping.
It may perhaps be useful to quote, for the information of His Excellency the Governor, the words used by his predecessor at the meeting of Council on the 11th December, 1889, when the Ordinance authorising this special addition to the Light Dues was passed. The following question, asked by Mr. MacEWEN, the then nominee of this Chamber, and the reply of Sir WILLIAM DES Vœux are taken from the shorthand report:--
"Mr. MACEWEN-The discussion generally takes place on the second "reading of Bills, but in a matter of this kind it would be satisfactory to "know the length of time it is intended to levy this increase, because, if "I recollect correctly, it was understood that the tax would only be "levied in order to pay for the actual cost of the Lighthouse and then "be withdrawn. Is that the understanding?
"His Excellency-Most distinctly. The cent will not raise $30,000, "and I think we will be very lucky if we get off for $120,000. It will "be called the Gap Rock Lighthouse Rate, and it will involve the special "sanction of the Legislative Council, and it will naturally cease when "the Gap Rock Lighthouse is paid off. As it is very inconvenient to "levy for a broken period of the year, I think, unless there is strong reason to the contrary, it would be advisable to have a meeting again "before the 1st January to pass this Bill. If you prefer a meeting at a "later date I am quite willing to agree to that. However, as the Council "has already practically agreed to this matter, there may be no objection "to suspend the Standing Orders and pass the Bill through all the stages "to-day."