£. 1,349 for 1848, which admits of explanation as follows:
The Expenditure on account of Fixed Establishments and Contingencies, 1847 to 1848, shows an increase of £. 1,977. 15.14. This increased Expenditure is, however, not real, but arises from the new Regulations from the Commissioners of Audit, dated 1847, having commenced with the last year, in conformity with which one month's salary of all the Departments for the year 1847, together with their contingencies, and 3 months' salary of the Governor, amounting in all to £. 3991. 15.8½ were charged to 1848, and are consequently included in that year's expenditure, though virtually belonging to 1847, as has been brought to the notice of Your Lordship in my Despatch No. 13 of the 27th January last. To this sum of £.3991. 15.8½, must be added an item of £.985. 19.4¼, being the balance of Contingent Expenditure for 1848, making a total of £4977. 15.14.
The Miscellaneous Expenditure during the same periods amounted to £.16,805 and to £23,176 respectively. The increase in 1848 over that of 1847, namely £.6371, is to be accounted for by the purchase of a Court House for £5,000, and increase of Expenditure on account of Public Buildings, amounting to £2,068.0.3, the joint amount being a total of £7,858.0.3, from which, however, it will be necessary to deduct a decrease under the head of Transfer, of £.915.8.5, that of Roads, Streets and Bridges, and of Miscellaneous, paid in January 1848, and carried to 1847, amounting to £.1486.12.2, being in all £.6371.
Less £. 1486.12.2, £4871.8.1, and thus the actual increase is balanced with a remainder of £4271.8.1. Considering the importance and utility of the buildings erected, and now in occupation, namely a Court House,
27th February 1869. Pictoria, Hong Kong.
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