M. Grabam Speaking generally, Hongkong is only just making both ends meet financially at the present time. The expenditure which is chargeable to current revenue for '97 is estimated to come within $437,740 of revenue and if the Light dues are reduced from 2½ cents to 1 cent a ton the receipts for Light dues will be reduced by $113,000 or in other words from $158,200 to $45,200.
There must probably be additional taxation hereafter. It is therefore imprudent to offer $500,000 as a gift; but I do not think it is really a gift; it is a Grant in aid and Government will get value for its money, & I do not think there will be well difficulty in finding the money as the light dues will not be reduced this year.
My telegram is. I think I should send the telegram suggested above C.P.L.
not a $60,000 is a sum out of a Reman of over $2,000,000 but Hong Kong is living rather close to the wind.
At present I do not give actual figures because they are complicated by extraordinary items such as loan expenditure.
15 April
Telegram. Governor Sir W. Robinson to Mr. Secretary Chamberlain.
Received at Colonial Office 12·15 pm 14 April
Jubilee celebration proposed erection at once hospital for women and children, and institution for training nurses at cost of 310,000 dollars; also roads to be made by degrees round island 225,000 dollars. May propose vote of same sum as public subscription estimated at 50,000 dollars: exact precedent fiftieth jubilee, Charter. Promises in future that deficit, if any, shall be made good by one per-centage increase of rates yielding 30,000 dollars per annum.
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