The expenditure on education has increased, but a much larger sum has been spent on the "Free Schools".
50. The balance sheet of the Brewin Charity as set out in Table XII is again very satisfactory. The income for the year exceeded the expenditure by $3,605.
The amount spent in gratuities and pensions to deserving widows was $1,908 as compared with $1,772 in 1916 and $1,344 in 1915. Further grants are under consideration.
$5,000 was invested in the Straits 6% War Loan.
KWONG WA HOSPITAL.
(See Tables XIII and XIV.)
51. The Hospital again did excellent work during 1917. In all 2,388 patients were admitted (as against 2,405 in 1916) of whom 1,096 or 46% (as against 54% in 1916 and 53% in 1915) came under European treatment while 1,292 elected to be treated by Chinese methods.
52. The total number of out-patients treated was 32,488 as against 31,914 in 1916, and of these 21,853 elected to receive European treatment. This gives a percentage of 67.3 as against 67.2 in 1916 and 65.9 in 1915.
53. The total expenditure of the Hospital for the Ting Tsz Chinese year was $50,639, which includes a refund of $19,716 to the Tung Wa—the net expenditure being $30,923 as against $30,101 in 1916. Among the receipts appears a payment of $23,053 from the Tung Wa Hospital; if this and the $2,000 contribution be subtracted from the receipts, the net income is shown to be $25,883, an amount less than the net expenditure by $5,040. The Hospital therefore is still financially unable to stand on its own feet. It was never anticipated that it would do so, until the whole district across the Harbour—a comparatively poor one—fulfilled its promise of development. This time is now appreciably nearer: meanwhile the Hospital must still depend on the Tung Wa Hospital and on special efforts. Its principal benefactor during the year was Mr. Chan Kang-yue, who raised a sum of $4,000 through theatrical entertainments which he organised and financed.
CHINESE PUBLIC DISPENSARIES AND PLAGUE HOSPITALS.
(See Tables XV to XX)
54. The total number of cases treated at the Dispensaries