sir,
by: 15
LONDON.
18th February 1897.
163
We have the honor to address you in reference
to a proposal that a fixed charge of 24 cents per ton
should in future be imposed as Light Dues on all shipping
entering the Harbour of Hong Kong, made at a Meeting of
the Legislative Council of that Colony, held on the 3rd
December last, when this proposal received the concurrence
of His Excellency the Governor; the circumstances of the
case being as follows;-
Previous to April 1890, the impost levied on
shipping, under the denomination of Light Dues, was made
at the rate of 1 cent per ton, but at a Meeting of the
Legislative Council, held on the 11th December 1889, an
ordinance was passed authorising a special addition to
this charge of 14 cents per ton, for the purpose of meeting
the expenditure to be incurred in connection with the
erection of the Gap Rock Lighthouse. At this Meeting,
it was, however, stated by His Excellency Sir William de
Beaux, at that time the Governor of Hong Kong, that this
additional