Enclosure 4.
BIENTA.
C. O,
1459
fter 20496
I have much pleasure in meeting you again for the transaction of public business, The programue that I have to present to you is a somewhat lengthy one, the most pressing item in it is, of course, the Appropriation Bill for 1896. From the Draft Estimates, which I now lay on the table and which were circulated more than a fortnight ago together with the explanatory memoranda, you will perceive that the revenue for 1896 is estimated at $2,288,366. This estimate has been prepared with due caution; and I believe that it will be realised.
The total estimated expenditure, on the other hand, amounts to $2,479,062, of which $197,200 is for Public Works Extraordinary and chargeable to the Loan. After deducting this sum there remains a total estimated expenditure chargeable to current revenue of $2,281,862, or an estimated surplus of revenue over expenditure of $6,504.
The chief increases on the expenditure side, as compared with the Estimates for 1895,
appear under the following heads :-
1. Public Works Extraordinary chargeable to revenue,
2. Public Works, Recurrent,.............................
3. Public Debt,
4. Military Expenditure,
5. Sanitary Department,
.$90,130
..$15,200
..$16,843
..$44,215
..$12,206
.$ 5,921
106
6. Medical Departments,
The first item includes $30,000 towards the Taipingsban Improvement Scheme, $15,000 for Public Latrines, $17,000 for a new Isolation Hospital, a very urgent requirement, $10,000 towards the extension of the Public Recreation Ground at Happy Valley, and certain sums for the construction and extension of roads at Kowloon. The increase under the second head is partly on account of sewerage works, the extension of the system involving an additional cost for upkeep, and partly for maintenance of waterworks at Kowloon chargeable to Water Account.
The increase on account of Public Debt is due to the contribution to the New Sinking Fund, which commences in October next.
As regards the Military Expenditure the annual contribution has been calculated at 174 per cent, of the estimated revenue for 1896, exclusive of premia on Land Sales. There is also provided a sum of $40,600 for "Barrack Services"
during the year. I am in possession of the views of the Unofficial Members on this subject, and they are receiving the attention of the Imperial Government. As the matter is still sub judice, I would ask you, gentlemen, to vote the sum provided in the Estimates subject to such further representations as you may hereafter have to make, and to such modifications as may hereafter be approved.
The large