Enclosure 6.
27873
SPEECH OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR (SIR WILLIAM ROBINSON, G.C.M.G.)
AT THE RE-ASSEMBLING OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF HONGKONG, 25TH OCTOBER, 1897.
148
HONOURABLE GENTLEMEN OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,
I have much pleasure in laying upon the table the Estimates for 1898. These Estimates have been in your hands for the last fortnight. You have therefore had sufficient time to give them your careful attention, except in one important item which will necessitate a change in the figures of these Estimates.
Before proceeding to deal in detail with those points which call for special remark, it affords me satisfaction to announce that, in deference to the wishes of the Shipping Community, the charge for Light Dues has been reduced from 2 cents to 1 cent per ton. Whilst I am glad to be able to redeem the promise of the Government in this matter, I would remind you that, if hereafter necessity should arise for increasing the Revenue, it may be necessary to again raise the shipping charges. I trust that this contingency may not occur.
It gives me equal pleasure to inform you that, notwithstanding the reduction of the Light Dues which will involve a decrease of some $70,000 in the receipts from this source, and the unprecedentedly low value of the dollar, taken at 1s. 9d., I do not propose to levy any additional taxation. The deficiency, if any, will be fully met by large receipts from Land Sales during the coming year, as well as by the increased value of the Opium Farm. The estimate in the first case is based upon the fact that the Government has a very valuable asset in Taipingshan, a large portion of which will almost certainly be recovered in 1898, as well as in valuable sites in other much-sought-after localities.
I would now invite your attention to the following points.
The Revenue has been cautiously estimated, and is expected to amount to $2,694,868 as against $2,609,878 collected in 1896, or an estimated increase of $84,990 on the total receipts for the latter year. The most noteworthy increases (in round numbers) are as follows:
Opium Monopoly, $71,680
Assessed Taxes, $57,700
Stamps, $11,500
Medical Treatment in the Civil Hospital, $3,400
Official Signatures, $2,500
Queen's College, Fees from Scholars, $3,500
Postage, $14,700
Leased Lands, $17,700
Water Account, $14,000
There are also minor increases under other headings, and two new items, viz.:
Certificates to Chinese entering America, $20,000
Interest, $3,000
The increase under the heading "Assessed Taxes" is expected in view of the prospective re-valuation of all rateable tenements which will come into force from the 1st July next, and the number of new buildings nearing completion. The estimated increase in the receipts on Water Account is due to the additional revenue derived from the establishment of the new Waterworks in Kowloon and elsewhere.
In 1896 there were no receipts on account of "Interest," the Government balances being exhausted by the expenditure incurred in connection with the resumption of Taipingshan, and in dealing with the Plague Epidemic during that year.
-1-