1.-FINANCES.
The revenue for the year amounted to $23,244,365 being $1,431,665 more than the estimate and $965,275 less than the revenue for the previous year.
Compared with the returns for 1924 there were decreases under all the heads except Kowloon-Canton Railway, Licences and Internal Revenue and Miscellaneous Receipts.
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 1925 are set out in the following statements:
HEADS OF REVENUE $ Light Dues 127,113.64 Light Dues, Special Assessment 138,330.30 Licences and Internal Revenue not otherwise specified 17,029,003.58 Fees of Court or Office, Payments for specific purposes, and Reimbursements in Aid 1,571,609.93 Post Office 725,245.51 Kowloon-Canton Railway 432,846.80 Rent of Government Property, Land, and Houses 1,232,704.36 Interest 612,786.04 Miscellaneous Receipts 804,483.16 TOTAL, (Ordinary) 22,674,123.32 Land Sales, (Premia on New Leases) 570,242.62 TOTAL 23,244,365.94The total expenditure brought to account amounted to $28,266,817 being $2,196,794 less than the estimate, and $1,540,389 more than the expenditure in 1924. Compared with the estimates there were increases under 9 heads as against 20 heads where there were decreases. The excess amounting to $465,771 under Miscellaneous Services was due to:
$ c. British Empire Exhibition 205,197.00 Language Study Allowances 8,692.00 Motor Car Running Expenses 11,008.00 Other Miscellaneous Services 7,483.00 Rent Allowances, European Subordinate Officers 8,970.00 Rent Allowances, Asiatic Subordinate Officers 8,707.00 Stationery 23,873.00 Transport of Government servants 14,071.00 Gratuity to Mr. John Duncan 9,956.00 Strike Expenses 198,106.00