HKG-CAR1887-1903

146

寥

4

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS. -ANNUAL.

The expenditure in 1895 was $2,972,373.01, or $903,580.52 in excess of that of the previous year. By far the larger part of this increase, however, viz., $821,000, was expended in the resumption of the area known as Taipingshan, which was the principal scene of the ravages of the plague during 1894. Most, if not all, of this formidable expenditure will doubtless be recouped by the Government when the area, which is being completely redrained and laid out anew, is put up to public auction.

Deducting the sum of $821,000 from the expenditure of $2,972,373.01, the revenue and expenditure would be as follows:-

Showing a surplus of

Other items of increased expenditure to which special attention may be drawn are:-Pensions $12,699 increase, Post Office $10,000 increase, due principally to a larger expenditure on transit charges incidental to extension in the business of the office, and, finally, certain very necessary additions to the staff of the Sanitary Department have raised the expenditure on that department from $61,566 to $84,082,

All things considered, the financial position is one of which the Colony has no reason to complain.

The average sterling value of the dollar was slightly lower than in 1894, being about 2s. 1¼d., as against 2s. 1d in that year. The former rate, however, shows a slight improvement over the average rate for the last nine months of 1894. The lowest rate touched was 1s. 11¾d. (in February and March), and the highest was 2s. 2¼d. (in November). Since May the rate varied only between 2s. 1d. and 2s. 2¼d.

The new British dollar was declared equal to the standard coin of the Colony from the 1st April, and the first consignment of the coins arrived on the 12th July.

4. Coolies' Strike.

Towards the end of March a general strike of coolies took place which lasted several days, and caused very serious losses to all interested in the trade and shipping of this Colony. As this episode presents several features of more than ordinary interest, I shall venture to relate its history at some length.

This strike had its origin in the opposition of the keepers of common lodging-houses used as dwellings by the labouring classes to certain sanitary measures designed to prevent overcrowding with all its attendant evils. These measures are embodied in certain byelaws made by the Sanitary Board in 1890, and approved by the Legislative Council in May 1891, providing for the registration of common lodging-houses. It was generally believed that these byelaws would, when enforced, meet with