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practically one assistant only.
I may add that the state of the book has never been so satisfactory as it is now (attained by much exertion on the part of the officer in charge) in spite of the fact that in the former years (prior to 1893) Crown Rent and Taxes were managed by two officers separately, whereas both are now done by Mr. Pestonjee in addition to other minor duties, notwithstanding that the clerical work and receipts for these two items of Revenue have increased very considerably with the development of the Colony, as shown below:-
Collections in 1893.
Assessed Taxes.. $457,000
Leased Lands....... $211,000
Piers... $3,600
Estimated for 1899.
$616,000
$242,000
$13,000
I annex lists of duties of Mr. Pestonjee, Mr. Tsang and Mr. Lo, from which you will see that their time is fully occupied.
In these circumstances, and in the interest of the Service and the health of the staff, I am compelled most reluctantly to beg you to be good enough to recommend to the favourable consideration of the Government that at least one more assistant