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H.E. THE GOVERNOR ON HONG-
KONG'S POSITION.
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
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It seems a
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[October 7, 1901.
provided that the appointed persons set about their enquiries in a thoroughly con- scientious way. The best use of public money is to devote it to the welfare of the public, not merely to hoard up from it a balance of imposing proportions, which has far too much been the course pursued here in the past.
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LE
Now that the local Government has become convinced of the uselessness of any further resistance to the public demand for the (Daily Press, 28th September.) reform, it is well to see what
are The speech of His Excellency the Governor measures indicated in H.E. the Governor's when laying the Estimates before the Legis-speech as about to be taken. In the first lative Council on Thursday demonstrated at place, two responsible experts are to come once the strength and the weakness of the out to Hongkong at the end of this year to position in which this Colony now is. On examine and report upon our sanitary con- "It is not
(Daily Press, 5th October.) the one hand, at the end of last year there dition. His Excellency says:
H.E. the Governor's letter covering the was a balance of assets over liabilities of improbable that very large sums will have more than a million dollars, beside the to be expended in the near future in the Blue-book forwarded to the Colonial Office was laid on the table at the Legislative value of silver at the Mint. It is anticipated sanitary improvement of the City--sums moreover than the surplus will be increased "that will absorb our balaner, and probably Council meeting on Thursday. Sir HENRY to nearly one and a half million dollars by involve increased taxation. Happily the BLAKE was able to point to the sound finan- the estimated balance of revenue
taxation of the Colony is comparatively cial position of this Colony and an increase expenditure in the current year.
The pre-
light, and in a matter of such moment I of business corresponding with the expand- The letter continnes sent financial position of the Colony there- feel that I can depend upon you to supplying trade of the East. fore may be described, as Sir HENRY BLAKE the necessary funds." The matter of with a general review of the past year, the main features said, as satisfactory. In five years the increased taxation was not, of course, for- touching briefly on revenue bas increased by no less than 61 gotten either by those who drew up the affecting Hongkong, With regard to the per cent., and though the expenditure has recent Petition to the Secretary of State for outbreak in Kwangtung, H.E. gives, an from fairly risen by the large amount of 56 per cent. the Colonies or by those who signed it. explanation, which he received the balance is in our favour. Shipping All residents who have the welfare of well informed sources," that it was possibly figures reached their maximum on record in Hongkong at heart will cheerfully consent started with a view of inducing the allied 1900. Hongkong, too, has escaped the ill to the expenditure of public money, to Powers to secure peace in the South by a effects of the convulsions which disturbed which they contribute their quota, on public promise to consider the question of internal North Chink, and the relations between the ends of the highest importance. Only the reform when the time arrived for the im- Colony and Canton have never been more merest self-interest would shrink from this position of terms of peace upon the Imperial He also points out the cordial. This is the bright side of the In this connection we wish just to allude to | Government.
strong anti-dynastic feeling displayed by picture; there is unfortunately another side. one point of sofie delicacy. A violent epidemic has again raged both on ungracious task to speak 'n word against the rebels and the feeling manifested against the Island and on the mainland, and the contributing handsomely to so praiseworthy northerners a feeling reciprocated by the medical and sanitary officials were taxed a scheme as the commemoration of the late northerners against the Cantonese. Coming beyond their strength. Sanitary matters QueensVICTORIA by the erection of a memo-back to more strictly colonial affairs, after have reached a climax, and the long delayed rial in London. Nevertheless, the ouinion | mentioning the coming dock extensions, attempt to set our house. order has has already been freely expressed, and it is which will make Hongkong docking facilities been absolutely forced upon us, As will held by a very large number, that this is a equal to those of any port in the East, and have been seen, H.E. the Governor con- nutter more for private subscription-Hong-the large increase in steam-launch building, firined the report that Mr. OSBERT kong has already raised nearly $78,000-tha the Governor discusses the 1900 plague He brings out the peculiar CHADWICK has been appointed as sanitary for a public vote from the Colony's revennes, epidemic. expert to enquire into the state of the and that a fitter object for our public difficulties of our situation when he says:- Colony and that a medical man will also be money would be to make a great and healthy "In considering this annual recurrence of plague, the situation of Hongkong renders sent out to consult with the local medical city of this place which bear VICTORIA'S authorities. Malaria continues its ravages, name. The Hongkong Government has "it peculiarly difficult to deal with the introduction of disease from without, for and a heavy task has had to be undertaken to | for long been remarkable for its penu-
relief gradually obtained in other places destroy the breeding-places of the malarial rious economy with respect to some of
The by the death of the susceptible can hardly urgent public works. mosquito. The New Territory is proving to be the most
of appreciation of
be looked for here with a perennial a very unremunerative acquisition, for the most fitting mark
'influx of susceptible coolies from the expenses continue extremely heavy, whereas our late Queen would be to mark the
from this short-sighted and surrounding plague-infected provinces. the anticipated revenue is hardly in existence change
A few hours bring these people to Hong. as yet. Sir HENRY BLAKE promises that ultimately extravagant policy by coupling when the country begins to develop the with the commemoration of the deceased "kong and nothing short of a ten days'.
detention of from two to three thousand expenses will be amply repaid, but it may Sovereign some great local public work. be asked whether this pleasing event is To resume, beside the appointment from 'persons who daily enter Hongkong would "insure freedom from the introduction of drawing close at hand and whether the home of a special sanitary commission, it Government might not easily have begun trusted that another step will be possible “plague by these visitors, while even if all "are healthy there must be among them a drawing revenue from the provisional next year which will tend to an amelioration
proportion of susceptibles to feed the fuel occupiers of the ground long before it did. of local conditions in time of epidemic.
on the
appearance of plague." The discus- The Land Court, we are quite ready to This is the permission for the transfer, believe, is doing excellent work; but was not under proper precautions, of Chinese suffer-sion of plague leads naturally to that of the modus operandi adopted when the new ing from plugue who may desire to proceed overcrowding. H.E. says, certainly without
· land was taken over contrary to the true to Canton for treatment and the consequent exaggeration, that the problem of reducing "one of the most The principles of economy? Every department relief from the anxiety which has in the the surface population is of the Government service, we are told, past caused so many natives to fly from the important questions of the future."
H.E. the abatement of this evil, he goes on to say, shows an increase on its establishment, Colony during the plague season.
Governor and the bulk of the Colony are will probably cost some millions of dollars, owing to increases of pay and additions to staff. The Public Works Department, the at one on this point and have striven owing to the value of house property in chief spending department of the Colony, together to attain their object, but the Home Victoria; but Hongkong_taxation is light which in 1896 took $85,694, in 1901 will Government has so far been obdurate. We compared with that of other colonies, and “sooner or later the question of the abate- take $188,701. Yet the staff is admitted are glad to learn from Sir HENRY BIAKE
"ment of surface overcrowding must be officially to be too weak to carry out its that there are hopes of an arrangement duties, and a large number of the works being come to. Beside plague, malaria is under its charge are, with little or no blame to be fought vigorously, and, as we have to those in charge of them, in a condition seen, expense is not to be spared. Another which would disgrace a far smaller and urgent point is the strengthening of the poorer Colony. At last some attention is Public Works Department, and it is to be paid to the staff and working of the sincerely to be hoped that something will Department, two engineers are to be added come of the special commission of enquiry to it, and a Commission is to be appointed which H.E. the Governor announces his to enquire into its position. The Post intention of appoint ng., The increase of Office, residents will be glad to hear, is to the Medical Department is also welcome The addition of a second Officer of be made as far as possible worthy of the news. Colony. None too 800, will be the verdict. Health for the port is a much needed step. Complaints have been made constantly for Such measures as these involve no small years, but hitherto with little apparent extra cost, but it will certainly not be effect.
grudged by any public-spirited colonists,
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vigorously dealt with." This is very true, and we do not see that any one holding this view can regard with anything but regret the action of the Sanitary Board on Thurs- day in rejecting Dr. CLARK's proposal to prevent the erection of buildings to a height exceeding the specified one-and-a-half times the width of the street they front.
H.E. the Governor proceeds next to the question of the New Territory, the financial accounts of which, he says, afford no reliable basis for an estimate of its ultimate value. After the completion of the land-survey and the settlement of claims, H.E. expects to see a rapid development of that portion of
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