I.-FINANCES.
The revenue for the year amounted to $24,209,640 being $2,839,706 more than the estimate and $574,123 less than the revenue for the previous year.
Compared with the returns for 1923 there were increases under all the heads except Kowloon-Canton Railway and Land Sales.
The expenditure amounted to a total of $26,726,428 inclusive of a sum of $8,112,785 spent on Public Works Extraordinary.
The detailed figures for 1924 are set out in the following statements:-
HEADS OF REVENUE.
C. $ 150,689.01 Light Dues Light Dues, Special Assessment Licences and Internal Revenue not otherwise specified - 165,639.40 Fees of Court or Office, Payments for specific purposes, and Reimbursements in Aid 16,701,771.25 1,659,524.00 Post Office 825,352.72 Kowloon-Canton Railway 420,186.15 Rent of Government Property, Land, and Houses 1,263,637.40 Interest 721,810.40 Miscellaneous Receipts 391,793.53 TOTAL, (Ordinary) $22,300,403.86 1,909,235.86 Land Sales, (Premia on New Leases) $24,209,639.72 TOTALThe total expenditure brought to account amounted to $26,726,428 being $1,801,761 less than the estimate, and $5,154,524 more than the expenditure in 1923. Compared with the estimates there were increases under 16 heads as against 11 heads where there were decreases. The excess amounting to $313,338 under Miscellaneous Services was due to:-
Rent Allowances (Asiatic Staff) $ C. 31,164.00 Stationery 59,732.00 Transport of Government servants 99,147.00 Flood Relief Fund 50,000.00 Purchase of "The Bracket' 36,000.00 Crown Agents commission 7,656.00 Gratuity to Mr. T. L. Perkins 8,571.00 Contribution to British Empire Cancer Campaign 8,496.00 Grant to Hongkong Boy Scouts Association 4,000.00 $304,766.00