9
46
1929 the figures were 17,862, and 4003 respectively.
A junk
is larger than a boat and pays a higher fec; on the other hand it takes just as much time to collect the fee from a boat as it does from a junk. The average size of the boats paying fees (which vary according to the size of boat) had diminished in the period 1924-29. The conclusion that follows is that approximately the same amount of revenue has had to be collected from a greater number of vessels. That the appointment of junk inspectors is a paying proposition is also borne out by the following statistics :-
In 1921 the Yaumati Junk Office was taken over by the Harbour Office from the Police. The revenue collected by this office rose from $3,048 in 1920 to $18,000 in 1921. On 1st August, 1923, the Shaukiwan Junk Office was taken over. The revenue rose from $16,886 in 1922 to $22,945 in 1924, (the first full year under the Harbour Office). In 1926 Aberdeen was taken
over with the result that the revenue rose from $13,671 in 1925 to $16,513 in 1926. The initial salary of an Assistant Junk Inspector is $2,000. In face of these facts Government feels that to adopt the recommendation of the Commission would only result in an equal, if not greater, falling off in the revenue.
They are prepared however to meet the views of the Commissioners to the extent that the post of Assistant Chief Junk Inspector will be left vacant experimentally on a vacancy occurring. Confiscation of a junk or boat, usually the sole means of livelihood of the owner, for failure to pay a licence fee of a few dollars would be regarded as excessively harsh treatment.
Paragraphs 6-9. It has been decided that, on the retirement next year of the Government Marine Surveyor, there is to be no recruitment to fill the vacancy that will result. The question of further reductions is still under consideration.
Singapore