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5. Adverting to paragraph 7 of your despatch, the calculations, estimating that a revenue of $20,350 would be derived from the new ordinance increasing the fee for licences to deal in arms, were based on the fact that the draft bill presently before the Legislative Council contemplates an increase of these fees from $10 to $1,200 per annum.
6. The increase on carriage licences is explained by the issue of a considerable number of additional jinricksha licences. The number of jinrickshas was previously 500 for Victoria and 25 for Quarry Bay. This number has been increased by 75, making a total of 600 for Hongkong: while at the same time the Kowloon Jinrickshas were in July, 1899, increased from 60 to 70.
7. The increases on Stamps and Postage were estimated on account of the growth and development of the Colony.
8. In reply to paragraph 13 of your despatch, I may refer you to my despatch No. 268 of the 21st September, 1899, in which it was explained that, when the estimates for 1900 were drawn up, it was expected that the expenditure on account of launches for the New Territory would be incurred within the financial year 1899. As, however, it was subsequently ascertained that the launches could not be completed till the beginning of the present year, only a sum of $31,875 being expended, provision for the balance of the cost of the launches, viz: $59,225 will have to be made in the Supplementary Estimates for the year 1900.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient
Humble Servant,
Stuart Blake
GOVERNOR, &c.