270
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
STATE OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.
The increase in the expenditure is attributable to the additions made to the salaries by the Civil List Ordinance passed last year, and to a larger outlay upon public works. The expenditure of last year was distributed as follows:
Ordinary expenditure £ s. d. 52,607 16 2 Public works 19,782 16 8 Total 72,390 12 10Revenue Expendituro
£ s. d. 94,182 16 3The receipts of the past year have exceeded the disbursements by £21,792 1s. 5d., which, added to the surplus of £72,390 12s. 10d. of former years, left an excess of assets over liabilities, on the 31st December last, of nearly £65,000, available for the service of the present year.
The prospects for the current year are equally satisfactory. I subjoin a financial estimate, from which it will be seen that, notwithstanding the large expenditure of £32,000 upon public works, it is expected that at the close of this year there will be a balance of £40,000 available for the service of 1862.
FINANCIAL ESTIMATE for 1861.
RECEIPTS EXPENDITURE Excess of assets over liabilities on 1st January 1861 £65,000 Estimated ordinary Expenditure £63,000 Estimated Revenue of 1861 90,000 Estimated Expenditure on Public Works 52,000 115,000 Probable balance on 31st December 1861 40,000 £155,000 £135,000The financial estimate for 1862, which is now being prepared, and which I also subjoin, leads me to hope that after an expenditure of £45,000 next year on public works, the Colony will find itself at the close of that year, with all the large public works at present in progress completed, and an excess of assets over liabilities of about £20,000.
FINANCIAL ESTIMATE for 1862.
RECEIPTS EXPENDITURE Excess of assets over liabilities on 1st January 1862 £40,000 Estimated ordinary Expenditure for 1862 £65,000 Estimated Revenue for 1862 90,000 Estimated Expenditure on Public Works 45,000 £130,000 Probable balance on 31st December 1862 20,000 £110,000 £130,000Public Works.
5. The only public works at present in progress of any magnitude are the new gaol, the Victoria waterworks, and the Praya; together they will cost not far short of £100,000; and it is calculated that without involving the Colony in any financial embarrassment, they can all be completed before the close of next year.
Another great improvement which is in contemplation, is the lighting of the city of Victoria with gas; but this, however, is about to be undertaken by a private company, the Government not being required to assist in any way beyond granting the use of the public streets for the purpose of laying the pipes. When the works are completed, it will be optional with both the Government and private individuals to consume the gas or not, as they may see fit; the price of it, which will be mainly dependent on the price of coal, being left a matter for future arrangement.
Legislation.
6. Nineteen ordinances have become law during the past year, amongst which I may specify as the most important—
No. 11. "An ordinance to constitute a marine court of inquiry in Hong Kong."
No. 12. "An ordinance to provide a supply of water for the city of Victoria, and to appropriate a sum not exceeding £30,000 for such purpose."
No. 13. "An ordinance for the establishment of a civil list."
No. 15. "An ordinance for the registration and regulation of boatmen and others employed in licensed cargo boats, and for the survey of such boats."
No. 16. "An ordinance to amend the law relating to newspapers in Hong Kong."
No. 17. "An ordinance to constitute a board of examiners for granting certificates of competency to masters and mates in the mercantile marine."