Appendix A (1).
REPORT ON THE FINANCES FOR THE YEAR 1918.
REVENUE.
The total revenue for the year amounted to $18,665,248 being $3,901,658 in excess of the estimate and $3,607,143 more than the revenue in 1917. Compared with that year there were increases under all the heads except Light Dues, Fees of Court, and Miscellaneous Receipts.
2. The principal sub-heads showing increases over the estimate are as follows:-
(a) Assessed Taxes, Special War Rate, ... $77,040
(b) Carriage and Chair Licences, ... $45,760
(c) Opium Monopoly, ... $25,850
(d) Stamp Duties, ... $3,186,622
(e) Tobacco Duties, ... $364,310
(f) Land Sales, ... $44,860
... $99,289
The increases are due (a) to new assessment, (b) to licences now required for private use and increase of rickshas in Kowloon, (c) to increased price and sales, (d) to more Probate Duty, (e) to increased sales, and (f) to more lands being disposed of.
3. The principal decreases were:-
(a) Light Dues, ... $44,077
(b) Fines, ... $22,611
(c) Liquor Duties, ... $35,006
(d) Medical Examination of Emigrants, ... $45,098
(e) Survey of Steam Ships, ... $15,492
Of these, (a) was due to the shortage of shipping, (c) to less consumption, (d) to emigration to Straits being temporarily stopped since March, and (e) to fewer ships surveyed.
EXPENDITURE.
4. 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 all heads except four.
Miscellaneous expenditure was larger by $5,229,871 on account of a contribution to the Imperial Government for war expenses and a contribution for the same purpose under Ordinance No. 18 of ...