Appendix A (1).
REPORT ON THE FINANCES FOR THE YEAR 1914.
REVENUE.
The total revenue for the year amounted to $11,007,273 being $1,254,313 in excess of the estimate and $2,494,964 more than the revenue in 1913. Compared with that year there were increases under the heads Licences, Fees of Court, Railway, and Rent of Government Property.
2. The principal sub-heads showing an increase over the estimate are as follows:-
(a) Assessed Taxes, $104,187
(b) Land Sales, 15,186
(c) Leased Lands, 16,019
(d) Forfeitures, 37,181
(e) Sunday Cargo Working Permits, 11,950
(f) Court Fees 11,603
(g) Possession Fees, 12,576
(h) Water Excess Supply, 29,440
(i) Opium Monopoly, 1,168,300
(j) Markets, 12,506
(k) Widows & Orphans' Pension Contributions, 13,865
Besides the above a bill against the British Post Offices in China on account of 1910 and amounting to $12,440 was settled last year.
The increase under (d) is due to numerous arms and cocaine cases and under (i) to adoption of direct Government control, while the remainder with the exception of (g) which is a new item may be taken as generally due to the growth of the Colony.
3. The principal decreases were: —
(a) Liquor Duties, $58,044
(b) Stamp Duties, 80,172
(c) Medical Examination of Emigrants, 44,528
(d) Conservancy Contracts, 28,712
(e) Post Office, 41,573
Of these (a) was probably over-estimated, (b) is partly due to the War, while (c) Emigration to the Straits was stopped in August, (d) the fees due under the Contracts were reduced, and (e) was no doubt due to depression of trade on account of the War.
EXPENDITURE.
4. The total expenditure amounted to $10,756,224, being $160,368 over the estimate, and $2,098,211 more than the expenditure in 1913. Compared with the estimates there were decreases under 14 heads as against 10 heads where there were increases. The excess, amounting to $688,003, under Miscellaneous Services, was