Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
COLONIAL REPORTS. -ANNUAL,
ment to dispose of this vessel, but without result. It is now laid up, pending an opportunity for sale.
Besides these works considerable progress was made with the Central Market, new streets in Kennedy Town, the slaughter house and pig and sheep depôts, and the new water and sewer mains in Victoria.
The water mains are at present complete in accordance with present requirements, but some extension will be necessary in the future. The sum expended on this work is $164,023 out of an estimate of $200,000.
Besides these, numerous other minor works were either completed or advanced, the whole involving a total expenditure during the year of $460,362.
AFFORESTATION.
This work is progressing favourably, 353,663 trees having been placed in permanent positions during the year as compared with 115,081 in the previous year.
Only 2,000 trees were destroyed by fire, and extra precautions have been adopted for the purpose of preventing these fires in future; none of the firs were very much injured by the abnormal frost, but a quantity of indigenous plants, especially those above 800 feet, were killed.
The amount realised by the sale of felled trees was only $492, but the trees are still young, and it is hoped that in the course of a few years the revenue from this source may be slightly increased.
GENERAL REMARKS.
The general condition of the Colony seems at least fairly prosperous; and there is no reason to doubt that the revenue will continue to meet the ordinary expenditure if it is administered with a strict regard to economy, and no new and unforeseen charges occur, while the cost of extraordinary public works will be provided for by the new loan of 200,000l. which has been issued during the current year.
I have, &c. (Signed) WILLIAM ROBINSON.
The Right Hon. the Marquess of Ripon, Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies,
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