97
Morphia (probably also the increased consumption of
Alcohol) which I regard as potential sources of far greater
evils than Opium Smoking. It appears to me to be of par-
-amount importance that every effort should be made both
4
by the Governments of British Colonies which have a con-
-siderable Chinese population, and by those who are
desirous of preventing the demoralization of the indus-
-trious and intelligent population of China to arrest the
spread of these evils.
9
Turning from the discussion of
the problem in the abstract to the circumstances of the
Colony at the present moment. On the 24th, ultimo the
Estimates for the coming year were laid before the Legisla
-tive Council and I have forwarded to Your Lordship under
my Despatch No. 264 of the 16th. instant a copy of the
speech in which I introduced the Appropriation Bill. In
brief the financial position is this. It is anticipated
that at the close of the current year the Expenditure will
exceed the Revenue by the large sum of $478,000 (due
chiefly to loss on exchange, loss by typhoon, and the
purchase of a Dredger for a Typhoon Shelter) and the
7 Spoor
Gf 41842
Revenus will fall short of the Estimate by $152,000, a
total deficit of $630,000. In spite of increased taxation
for