20
; many
as 412 stove laden boats left this during six months, that the dues levied on them by the holder of the Licence amounted to 1300 dollars, and that the estimated value of stone exported during that period was about $10,000. Before these six months, when Great Britain took possession of this island, the stone quarries were let out by the Colonial Authorities, as is still the case with the quarries of Kowloon and on Stonecutter's Island. The quarries are the property of Government; by a clause in the Leases, the Crown has an exclusive right to all stone quarries in the demised land; but the right has, as far as I know, never been exercised, and none of the quarries now worked are in demised land; they are from 6 to 8 in number, and, like all land not leased, the property of Government. The highest duty obtained for this privilege was £712.1.8 in 1845-6; for 1854-55 it was only £135.8.4, whereas the amount just obtained for 1855-56 is £162.10.29. The Duty on Salt and Stone Licenses might perhaps increase, if purchasers were given to understand at the time of Sale that, under proper security, the amount could be paid in monthly instalments, instead of in half-yearly instalments as hitherto.
30. The Duty on Billiard Licenses is £10.8.4 per annum, $50 for each Billiard Table, and the estimated number is 4.
31. Opium Retailers. Referring to my letter of the 18th January last, I may further remark that the applications for Licenses of Class I and II are still increasing; the numbers issued are 7 of the first and 38 of the second class, and the respective numbers are 11 and 182.
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However, to follow the exact format requested in the output, the corrected version should be presented as:20
; many
as 412 stove laden boats left this during six months, that the dues levied on them by the holder of the Licence amounted to 1300 dollars, and that the estimated value of stone exported during that period was about $10,000. Before these six months, when Great Britain took possession of this island, the stone quarries were let out by the Colonial Authorities, as is still the case with the quarries of Kowloon and on Stonecutter's Island. The quarries are the property of Government; by a clause in the Leases, the Crown has an exclusive right to all stone quarries in the demised land; but the right has, as far as I know, never been exercised, and none of the quarries now worked are in demised land; they are from 6 to 8 in number, and, like all land not leased, the property of Government. The highest duty obtained for this privilege was £712.1.8 in 1845-6; for 1854-55 it was only £135.8.4, whereas the amount just obtained for 1855-56 is £162.10.29. The Duty on Salt and Stone Licenses might perhaps increase, if purchasers were given to understand at the time of Sale that, under proper security, the amount could be paid in monthly instalments, instead of in half-yearly instalments as hitherto.
30. The Duty on Billiard Licenses is £10.8.4 per annum, $50 for each Billiard Table, and the estimated number is 4.
31. Opium Retailers. Referring to my letter of the 18th January last, I may further remark that the applications for Licenses of Class I and II are still increasing; the numbers issued are 7 of the first and 38 of the second class, and the respective numbers are 11 and 182.
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