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of the Colony for some little time at £105,000, I find that the fixed ordinary Expenditure, without the public works, amounts at present to £85,000.
May I refer to when the Estimates for 1883 were under consideration? The ordinary Expenditure was then reckoned down at £82,500.
Since then there have been some additions to staffs, and other Establishments, which will make the actual ordinary Expenditure, as approved by the Secretary of State, not less than £85,000.
I have framed a statement showing an annual surplus of permanent revenue on ordinary Expenditure of £20,000, but this will be insufficient, in my opinion, to maintain the existing public works in servicable repair without the commencement of any new public work.
This description will be understood by anyone acquainted with the peculiarities of Hongkong and the extent of the public works.
I know of no plan that I can do ...
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