COLONIAL REPORTS——ANNUAL.
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
296
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institution-had at once sent out two steam-launches with all the appliances for affording immediate assistance. I mention the fact as I find a widespread idea that the Chinese among themselves are callous and uncharitable-an impression that is entirely opposed to my experience. After the hurricane, a public meeting was held, and a Committee formed to collect subscriptions. In a few days twenty-eight thousand four hundred and thirty-four dollars were subscribed, of which the Chinese subscribed twenty-one thousand three hundred and sixty-three dollars.
14. In the early part of the year the Colony had subscribed $153,555 to the South African War Fund, so that within twelve months the European and Chinese people of the Colony voluntarily contributed to patriotic and charitable purposes the sum of $181,990, over and above the ordinary charities of the Colony, a sum equal to over 5 per cent. of the amount of the public revenue.
I have, &c.,
HENRY A. BLAKE,
Governor, &c.
SIR,
Colonial Secretary's Office,
Hongkong,
15th August, 1901.
I HAVE the honour to submit herewith the following Report on the Blue Book for 1900:
1.-FINANCES.
(a.) Revenue.
1. During the last five years the revenue of this Colony has shown a steady increase, which has more than counterbalanced the increasing expenditure. In 1895 the balance of revenue over expenditure showed a deficit of $486,144.12. In 1900 not only had this deficit been made good, but, notwithstanding an expenditure exceeding that of 1895 by $655,904.12, the revenue of Hongkong showed a surplus of $574,140.37.
2. The actual revenue for 1900 was $3,235,329.61, exclusive of the amounts derived from Land Sales and the Water Account, which amounted to $816,222.92 and $151,034.87 respectively.