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Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.
No. 1001.
HONG KONG.
REPORT ON THE BLUE BOOK FOR 1918.*
I-FINANCES.
The revenue for the year amounted to $18,665,248, being $3,901,658 more than the estimate and $3,607,144 more than the revenue for the previous year.
Compared with the returns for 1917 there were increases under every head with the exception of Light Dues, Miscellaneous Receipts, and Fees of Court or Office.
The expenditure amounted to a total of $16,252,172, inclusive of a sum of $1,578,149, spent on Public Works Extraordinary, and one of $3,189,972, being a contribution to the Imperial Government for war expenses.
The total expenditure brought to account amounted to $16,252,172, being $4,111,697 more than the estimate, and $2,161,344 more than the expenditure in 1917. Compared with the estimates there were decreases under 20 heads as against 4 heads where there were increases. The excess, amounting to $5,229,871 under Miscellaneous Services, was due to the war contribution stated above, in addition to another contribution ($1,052,761) referred to below; expenditure on houses and house allowances; and other miscellaneous items. Military Expenditure was smaller than the estimate by $30,138 on account of the Revenue for 1917 having been over-estimated. The item Public Works Recurrent was responsible for an excess of $103,975. Decreases were mostly due to savings on Personal Emoluments and high exchange. The balance to the good on the year's working was $2,413,076, and the assets and liabilities account showed on the 31st December a credit balance of $5,681,138.
* A Sketch Map will be found in the Report for 1914, No. 856: