670
$15,300 5,000 17,000
61
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
the general account with all expenditure Assessed Taxes, over and above that derived from the Carriages, chair, &c., Licences, actual cash payments, received on account Fines,
160,000
1,000.000 400,000
5,000 40,000 9,200
of the Wuchang Loan, resulted in the Liquor duties, expenditure for the year 1915 reaching Opium Monopoly, the abnormal figure of 815,149.268. How- Tobacco duties, ever, notwithstanding this drastic but sound method of dealing with the situa- tion, the balance of liabilities over assets on the 31st December, 1915, was only $452.687. During the first six months of the current year the revenue receipts were satisfactory, and the deficit of $452,687 was on the 30th June last, converted into a credit balance of $544,295. It is estimated that the balance of assets over liabilities at the end of the year will be $1.003,643.
Analyses, Government Notifica-
tions,
The revenue for the current year is now expected to amount to $13,274,000, or $1.864,990
Teore than the original estimate. This excess is largely accounted for by estimated increases under the fol- lowing heads:-
Liquor duties,
Opium Monopoly,
$150,800 1,179,000
Premia on new lesses. ... 160.000 and by a yield of $200,000 from the duty on tobacco.
The expenditure for 1916, which was originally estimated at $11,889,774, is now expected to fall short of that figure by $63.104. This is more than accounted for by the reduced expenditure for loss on subsidiary coin. When I addressed you last year I stated that there was sume reason to hope that the reduced sum of $750,000 entered in the Estimates would be sufficient. It is probable that owing to the high price of silver which has diminished the loss on sale of coins with- drawn from circulation, the sum required will only be, approximately $570,000. It is estimated, on the other hand, that there will be an increase in the cost of maintaining the prisoners of war and their families of about 897,000, while their transport to Australia has already cost a sum of $183,000. I hope shortly to lay a statement on the subject before
you.
Estimates of Revenue for 1917
The estimated revenue for 1917 is $13.242.000, which is $1,832,990 in excess of the approved revenue, for 1916, but is actually $32,000 less than the revised figures for the current year. As com- pared with the approved estimates for the current year, the principal increases, of which explanations will be found in the foot-notes, are as follows:-
Ove
China Companies Fees, Deeds Registration, Fees for of Government
Buoys, Medical Examination of emi-
grants, Medical Treatment,
Postage.
32,000)
35,000 6,000
Sunday cargo-working permits, Water, excess supply and meter
rents,
35,000
10,000
Coaching, local traffic, Goods, through traffic, Lauds not leased,
50,000 5.000 5.000 8,000
Leased lands, New Territories... Slaughter-houses,
5,000
20,000
50,000
$1.912,000
Premia on new leases,
Total
I should, however, explain that the China Com- increase of 840,000 under
is to a great extent counter- panies Fees balanced by the loss of 832,340 under the head "Companies Local Registers Licen res," and the payment of $3.719 for the Registrar of Companies at Shanghai as shown on page 46.
Estimates of Expenditure for 1917
new
The estimated expenditure for next year is $12,396,155, which is $513,381 more than the estimated expenditure for the current year. There are small decreases in the departments of Governor, Colonial Secretary and Legislative, and the Secre tariat for Chinese Affairs. The staff of Colonial Secretariat has been the strengthened by the creation of a 2nd Grade Clerical post, the need for which is explained in Appendix III., but as no new Cadets will be appointed there is a considerable saving under Personal Emoluments. Small increases are shown in the Audit Department and the Trea sury, due to the creation of new clerical posts which are explained in Appendix III.
In the Harbour Master's Department, Personal Emoluments," provision has been made for two 3rd Grade Clerks in place of one 4th Grade Clerk. One of these clerks is required to keep the
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
accounts of the Government buoys. In the Mercantile Marine Office the post of European Constable has been abolished, making a saving of $1,371. The votes for coal have been increased in order to meet the higher cost. Under "Lighthouses and Lights" it has been possible to make a saving owing to the installation of Aga Lights at Cape Collinson and Ma Wan. The posts of two Lighthouse keepers have been abolished on the retire- ment of the holder. On the other hand, provision has been made for house allow ances to two married Lighthouse-keepers amounting to $1,080, while the sum re- quired for lodging allowances while in Hongkong has been reduced from #546 to $168.
The work in the Department of Im- ports and Exports has increased to a large extent owing to the various War measures in force especially the Im portation and Exportation Ordinance-- and to the imposition of the tax on to- bacco. For some months the Superin tendent has had the assistance of two Cadet Officers, but it will be necessary in the near future to provide an adequate staff for this departiment, which is be -coming one of the most important in the service. Under "Personal Emoluments ** the principal increases are the creation of temporary posts of one Higher Grade Clerk and fifteen 5th Grade Clerks, and the permanent posts of a 3rd Grade Interpreter and a 5th Grade Clerk at the Opium Factory. On the other hand, one post of Revenue Officer has been abolished, causing a saving of nearly $3.000. Inder "Other Charges" a small nei reduction has been made of $710.
62
now
coins will be completed and withdrawals from circulation cease. The sum entered must, therefore, be looked upon as in the nature of a guess. Economies have been made in the consumption of electric light and current. and it is hoped to exect a reduction of $2,000 under this bead. Owing to the high cost of materials it has been necessary to increase the vote for stationery by $7,500, although every effort is made to economise. The vote for $25,000. telegrams has been entered at It is hoped that owing to a new arrange-
which
are the public ment by charged for telegrams sent on their be- half, this sum, which is much less than the amount which will be expended this year, will suffice. A saving of $10,000 is anticipated in the cost of transport of Government servants, due to the fact that fewer passages will be required for officers who come under the free passage scheme. Although an increase of $35,850 is shown under the head of War Expen- diture, there will be a large saving on the actual expenditure during the cur- rent year as it is not anticipated that any large sum will be required for the transport of prisoners of war.
engagement of extra watchmen,
men
ap-
In the Supreme Court, a 2nd Grade Assistant Interpreter has replaced the Higher Grade Interpreter, while a 3rd Grade Clerk and Translator has replaced It the 1st Grade Clerk and Translator. should be pointed out that the men who have resigned their posts were officers of senior standing, whereas the pointed to succeed them are junior in the service. They have been promised fur- ther advancement at an early date, sub- ject to their work proving entirely satis- In the Royal Observatory it is pro- factory. A reduction of $2,000 has been posed to incur special expenditure of i made in the vote for the travelling ex- $6.000 for an installation for receiving penses of watchmen, and the temporary time signals by wireless telegraphy.
Under Miscellaneous Services" the noticed. following changes should be The contribution of $2,000 towards the maintenance of the Signal Stations at the Peak and Cape d'Aguilar is no longer required since the erection of the Wire- less Station at the latter place. A sure of $2,100 has been entered under this head for language bonuses, and correspond- ing entries under various departments have been omitted. The amount provided: to meet the loss on subsidiary coins has been reduced from $750,000 to $300,000. It is impossible to estimate at present, with any approach to accuracy, what sum will be required. It is impossible to predict when the rehabilitation of these
The salary of the Assistant Crown Solicitor has been placed on the sans footing as Class III. of the Cadet Ser- vice. and the salary of the Land Officer has been calculated on a sterling basis on the occurrence of a change holder of the office.
F12 the
In the Police Department, under Personal Emoluments provision is made for only seventy-nine European Constables, and a saving is shown of 5.845. No less than thirty-eight Con- stables have gone to the front, of whom I regret to say three have been killed in action. Only forty European Constables are actually serving in Hongkong, but provision has to be made for all, as those