Appendix E.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF IMPORTS AND EXPORTS FOR THE YEAR 1917.
STAFF.
1. The Superintendent, Mr. R. O. Hutchison, M.B.E., was obliged by ill-health to go on sick-leave from the 23rd May and left for England on the 9th June. Mr. J. D. Lloyd was seconded for Military Service on the 11th November. Mr. D. W. Tratman acted as Superintendent from the 23rd May and Mr. Lloyd's place was filled by Mr. W. J. Carrie.
Owing to the heavy demands of War Trade problems on the Superintendent's time it was found necessary to create a new European post under the title of Supervisor and Accountant. Mr. S. Hamer was transferred from the Public Works Department to this office on the 1st June.
LIQUOR CONSOLIDATION ORDINANCE.
2. The net revenue collected from liquor duties and licensed warehouses for 1917 was $781,214.80 as compared with $793,762.24 for 1916. The general details are as follows:-
1917 1916 Duties on European Liquors, $207,233.09 $208,598.84 Duties on Chinese Liquors, Licensed Warehouse Fees, 568,168.71 579,376.40 Licensed Warehouse Overtime Fees, 5,750.00 5,750.00 63.00 37.00 Total, $781,214.80 $793,762.24No increase in duty was made during the year under review and there appears to be a slight falling off in consumption of all kinds of liquor. There was a marked decrease in the amount of European Liquors imported, and, owing to shipping restrictions, the export trade in Chinese Liquors has suffered severely. Local distilleries continue to do well.
The Full details of the trade in European liquors are given in Table I and in Chinese liquors in Tables II and III.