February 5, 1906.]
scheme. His Excellency was anxious that the scheme for giving relief in deserving cases should be continued, so he hoped that the same guarantors and some fresh ones would come forward.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
··HONGKONG'S FINANCES.
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THE CONNAUGHT RECEPTION. COMMITTEE.
We have been supplied by Mr. C. H. Beavis, the hon. secretary, with the following list of names of the Connaught Reception Committee
His Honour Sir Francis Piggott (Chairman) The Honourable Mr. W. Chatham The Honourable Mr. C. W. Dickson ́ ́: The Honourable Mr. A. W. Brewin The Honourable Capt. LA A. W. Barnes- Lawrence
The Honourable Dr. Ho Kai The Honourable Mr. Wei Yuk The Honourable Mr. R. G. Showan The Honourablë, Mr. Gershom Stewart- The Hon. Sir C.P. Chater, C, M. G.. Mr. F. J. Badeley
Mr. E. A. Hewett Mr. J. R. M. Smith Mr. D. R. Law
Mr. S. T. Dunn. Mr. Leung Pai Chi. Lt-Col. C. H. Price, D. S. O. Capt Savory, B. N.
*The Honourable Mr. H. E. Pollook, K, O. * The Honourable Sir Henry S. Berkeley * The Honourable Mr. T. Fercombe Smith * Mr. E. H. Sharp, K. C. * Mr. S. A. Lery
* Mr. E. Shellim
*The Committee was appointed by H. E. The Governor and having power to add to their number added the gentlemen whose names are marked with an asterisk.
In the last issue of the Government Gazette appears a comparative statement of the revenue and expenditure for the period ended November Mr. Pollock then read the Rev. J. H. France's 30th, 1905. Statistics as a rule do not afford report of the working of the Guarantee Scheme very entertaining reading, but some of the as follows:-In view of the fear openly figures in the table under notice are very expressed by prominent members of the com- suggestive and worthy of consideration. Look- munity that the publication of the guaranteeing at the totals first we find that the actual scheme would lead to the invasion of undesir- revenue up to November 30th was $6,138,896.13 ables from the surrounding ports it was thought and the actual expenditure $6,209,548.43. AL- advisable to exercise care in the administration though we have overran the constable last year, of the funds, and to err in the direction of we need not fear bankruptcy, and though it is strictness rather than in that of leniency, and not considered good business to draw on our it was made a fixed rule that men who were
resources, yet it is to be inferred that the known to have deserted their ships should not deficit is more an item of bookkeeping than an be eligible to receive its benefits. At the same actual loss. While the actual revenue falls: time care was taken that no deserving case that about a million and a half dollars below the could be brought under the scope of its opera- estimates, it is balanced to some extent by the tions should be neglected. About the middle actual expenditure being less than that of the year it was suggested by His Excellency anticipated, just under a million dollars, so the Sir Matthew Nathan that the original scheme guess work of the estimates is not so far ont should be extended so as to make it available after all. Again, it will be noticed that in not only for seamen but also for destitute the previous year we were more fortunately Europeans of all classes. This proposal situated, for our revenus was in excess of the having been accepted by all but two of expenditure by about, roughly, $200,000. the guarantors the scheme on the whole Therefore, figuratively speaking, a fat year was worked on the wider lines, care. has been followed by a lean one. This will however, being taken to reserve the guarantees become more apparent when subtracting the of the two dissentients for bond fide sailors. figures for the two years we get only an in- Ton cases in all were admitted to the benefits
crease of $172,000 under reveune, but of the scheme. Out of this number six obtained increase of $476,00 under expenditure. This employment after longer or shorter periods of would indicate that our income is certainly not waiting. One of this number on the very day keeping pace with our expenditure. Analys on which he became chargeable to his guarantor. ing the heads of revenue we find that the One was taken over by the Board of Trade and only decreases are from rent of govern- sent home to England; one through age and ment property, land and houses ($27,082 BANK OFFICIAL'S TRAGIC DEATH. infirmity coupled with bad babits failed to 89), and from land sales ($62,1.23). The obtain employment; a third disappeared from largest increase is from licences and internal
It is with regret we have to report the death the Colony on the day on which employment revenue not otherwise specified, $213,822, while of Mr. George Alexander Chalmers, senior was found for him and a fourth, after staying the water account gives us an increase of $23,577. sub-accountant at the Chartered Bank, under in the Sailors' Home for three days, refused It is satisfactory to note that the Post Office tragic circumstances. About 11 o'clock on to comply with the reasonable requests of can show a progressive record, its reveune January 25th Mr. Chalmers had occasion to the Home superindendent and left the Home having gone up from $387,893 in the similar go down to the servants' quarters, and in des- and subsequently the Colony. On the whole, period of 1994 to $395,034 for last year, although deading the narrow stair his foot mast have the scheme may be said to have met a it has not come up to the estimate. Another slipped, causing him to fall heavily to the real need. A number of men have been enabled remarkable feature is that the amount derived bottom, a distance apparently of about fifteen by. its means to keep afloat during what might from interest, $10,073. is more than double what feet, where he alighted on his head. When found otherwise have been a period of absolute destitu-
was estimated, $3,000; but the amount of
a few minutes later by one of his mess mates he tion, and have thus had a much better chance, miscellaneous receipts (862,908), while showing was in an rnconscious condition. Medical of getting employment.
an advance over those for the same period insistafics was promptly secured, and later he the preceding year, is only about our third of
was conveyed to the Government Civil Hospital what was expected. Land sales' results are not where he lied at one o'clock yesterday morning. far short of two million dollars less than was He had received a fracture on the base of the
skull and expected, and that account has also to show a
consciousness. never recovered decrease of $65.211 when compared with 1904. Deceased, who was only thirty years of age, had Turning to the heads of expenditure we are been in the service of the Bank for eight years faced with the fact that there are considerat Calouuta, Sourabaya, and in Japan. He left- ably more items which show increases than Yokobama only six months ago to accompany decreases.
the Inspector, and arrived here in August. He joined the Bauk's staff in the following month. A pathetic feature is that Mr. Chalmers had arranged to go home next month on furlough.
Rev. Mr. HICKLING asked if all the guarantors under the Governor's scheme had been called on during the year.
Mr. POLLOCK understood that ten guarantors were not.
Mr. HICKLING supported Mr. Pollock's re. marks, but wished to add that no charity should be given to anyone able to work and able to get work. There had been cases during the year of men able and willing to work, but unable to get it; there was also a case in which a man who had been assisted not only repaid the money expended on him, but gave a donation towards assisting other unfortunates. He thought there were many people who would support the Society, but who could not afford to give $12; therefore, they should make it known that they would be pleased to receive smaller. amounts,
matter Another important
he thought should be brought forward was with regard to the increasing number of destitute Americans who were finding their way here from Manila. It was very necessary that the American community in the Colony should come forward with some real assistance towards their relief. When these people endeavoured to call on their own nationals they were turned by underlings, and never succeeded in getting
to the fountain head. .
Mr. POLLOCK agreed with the remarks of Messrs. France and Hickling, and said he felt kure American idents would come forward
now that their attention had been called to the matter of their destitute countrymen.
It
The
as
The most notable decreases are under the headings of Public Works Re- current, $91,307, aud Land Court, New Territory. $19,610, followed by the charge on account of public debt, $9,354. Last year the Post Office absorbed $521,052, almost double that of the previous period and very much in excess of the estimate. The Botanical and Afforestation Department was not so costly as was anticipated, only $39,489 being spent as compared with 845,643 the previous year. was about $9,000 under the estimate ecclesiastical expenditure was the same
money year, $2,700, but the
spent last in education, which few will begrudge, is greater by $5,541 than in 1904, while the cost of medical and bacteriological departments was $888 less. Another item which shows a decrease is the Magistracy, last year's figures being $31,64 as compared with 933,674 the previous year, but the upkeep of police, fire brigade and gaol involved $612.859, a sum which shows an advance of $3,836 on that of the preceding period. The Sanitary calls for an increasing Department also expenditure. last year's figures, $358,983, being $8.757 more than ite predecessor. Military amounted to no less than $1,294,197, an advance of $89,099, while public works extraordinary called for $161,139
more than last year.
The election of officers was then proceeded with, the result being as follows:-Pre-expenditure sident Mrs C. W. Dickson; vice-president, Lady Berkeley; Hon. Treasurer, Mrs Gershom Stewart Hon. Secretary, Mrs Thomson; Com- mittee, Mrs Badeley, Mrs. Barnes-Lawrence, Mrs Hickling, Mrs Turner, Mrs Marons Slade, Mrs. Faunders and Mrs Browne; Reference committee, Rev. J. H. France, Rev. C. H. Hickling, Rev. F. T. Johnson, Mr. E. A., Hewett, Hon. Dr. F. Clark, and Dr. Thomson.
Kowloon is to have a Post Office. Tenders are called in the current Gazette, which are returnable at noon on Tuesday, February 13th, at the C.S.O. The notification states, that no work will be permitted on Sundays.
A native of Montrose, Scotland, where he leaves two sisters, deceased was of a very amiable disposition and during his short residence here gathered round him a cirole of friends who will deeply mourn his loss.
1
THE SHIPPING AND TRADE OF HONGKONG FOR 1905.
During the year 1905 the total number of ships trading to this port was 452,758, having a registered tonnage of 84,185,091. These vessels discharged 4,733,943 tons of cargo, and shipped 3,067,792, while 3,415,418 tons passed through the port. Bunker coal to the amount of 677,418 tons was shipped. The number of passengers to arrive was 5,812,841, of whom 5,511,365 departed, besides 64,341 emigrants. Of the vessels engaged in the trade of the 3,995 veere British and 9,845, foreign port going; while in the river trade there were 7,488 British and 975 foreign river steamers. The number of steamships under 60 tons engag ed in foreign trade was 1,800, while a fleet of 33,475 junks also traversed eastern sess bring- ing cargo from various ports to and taking it from Hongkong, Steam launches to the number of 337,913 were engaged in local trade and 63,267 junks, the Star Ferry Company's launches not being included, in the former
number.