11. The following comparative statement shows the Rateable Value of the Colony of Hong Kong from 1925-1926 to 1935-1936 inclusive:-
Year Rateable Value $ As compared with previous year % % Increase Decrease 1925-1926 27,287,862 1926-1927 27,998,237 710,375 2.60 Increase 1927-1928 29,016,439 1,018,202 3.64 Increase 1928-1929 30,395,447 1,379,008 4.75 Increase 1929-1930 31,617,566 1,222,119 4.02 Increase 1930-1931 33,069,602 1,452,036 4.59 Increase 1931-1932 35,071,566 2,001,964 6.04 Increase 1932-1933 37,457,725 2,386,159 6.80 Increase 1933-1934 38,941,273 1,483,548 3.96 Increase 1934-1935 38,641,856 0.77 Decrease 1935-1936 36,374,100 2,267,756 5.87 Decreasethe
12. In the ten years from 1925-1926 to 1935-1936 the rateable value of the Colony has increased by $9,086,238 or 33.29 per cent.
13. If the interim valuations are deducted from the new total valuation of the Colony the decrease this year is 6.68 per cent. Generally speaking the reductions made in the assessment of Chinese tenement houses averaged about 12.3 per cent.
14. Not only has the volume of work in the Assessor's Office been greatly increased owing to the necessity for making allowances on account of excess water charges since the abolition of the rider mains, but it has been further heavily increased by the decision to grant refunds of rates for vacant floors where the owners so elect.
15. The fall in rents has continued throughout the year and has now become more general.
Treasury,
17th June, 1935.
EDWIN TAYLOR,
Treasurer & Assessor.