Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.
There are no very noticeable decreases to be set against the above-mentioned increases except that of $31,683.68 under the heading "Fines," which Sir W. Robinson characterised as an unsatisfactory source of revenue; of $3,558.45 on account of Junk Licences, which is probably explained by lower freights on river steamers; of $5,469.62 under "Other Miscellaneous Receipts "an ever-varying source of revenue; and the decrease of $46,358.40 on premia from land sales mentioned above.
The net result of a comparison with the year 1896 shows an increase of revenue amounting to $77,035.76 during the year 1897.
EXPENDITURE.
The total expenditure during 1897 was $2,641,409.71, a net increase of $166,499.34 as compared with the expenditure of 1896.
The most noticeable increases on the expenditure side were :-
Public Debt$ 30,337.03 Pensions*** Public Works Department22,769.51 Post Office3,862.82 Lighthouses18,799.12 Medical Department2,721.90 Transport5,215.61 Miscellaneous Services4,458.46 Public Works Recurrent67,946.03 Public Works Extraordinary20,982.5458,205.40
The amount expended on Public Works Extraordinary chargeable to the Loan amounted to $321,705.89, as against $230,619.32 in 1896, and $186,970.87 in 1895.
ASSETS AND LIABILITIES.
The Statement of Assets and Liabilities shows a debit balance on the 31st December, 1897, amounting to $264,649.87, of which $262,091.95 were loan monies.
Against this apparent deficit, however, the Colony had a prospective asset of $350,000 worth of coins which were paid for before the 31st December, but were not yet in transit on that date.
It should also be mentioned that the expenditure for the year 1897 included a sum of $116,000 on account of Her Majesty's Jubilee Celebration.
LOAN.
The Balance Sheet of the Loan Account showed at the end of the year a debit balance amounting to £336,625 0s. 9d.