242
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
STATE OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.
are highly satisfactory to all the respectable portion of the colonists, both native and foreign. The Registration Ordinance 6 was as to some of its provisions strongly opposed by me in the Legislative Council, and the more intimate knowledge of the people which the duties of my office have forced on me convince me that I was quite right in such opposition. With a fluctuating population such as ours it is impossible to carry out a system of personal registration, and it would be very injudicious to attempt so vexatious a proceeding, and then fail after all. Many of the other provisions of this Ordinance are admirable, but it attempts too much. Should it be remitted for reconsideration, it can, I think, be substantially improved. The only other Ordinance which demands particular mention from me is 12, for checking the spread of venereal disease, which came into operation at the close of the year. This enactment is, I believe, the first instance in which an English legislature has attempted to control the evils arising from prostitution; and I am firmly convinced that no more wise or beneficial measure was ever introduced in this or any other part of Her Majesty's dominions. Like most other experiments, the first essay is perhaps far from being perfect; but, nevertheless, a vast amount of good must be the immediate result; and it is no slight satisfaction to me personally to have been allowed to co-operate in so good a work.
Colonial Treasurer.
The returns from this department will perhaps be more closely scrutinized by the home authorities than those of any other in the Colonial Government, and unless carefully dissected they may lead to some misconception. There will at first sight appear a most striking similarity between the increase of the revenue and of the expenditure.
The gross and net increase of the former having been 24,073l. 4s. andl 23,341l. 13s. 10d., and of the latter 23,525l. and 23,071l. 4s., respectively, thus apparently making the burdens on the colonial purse keep pace with its increasing prosperity; but, unless I am very much mistaken, it can be fairly demonstrated, that whereas the greater part of the outlay of the year 1837, was produced by political causes, the pressure of which had passed away before the close of the year, the additions to its revenue are of a permanent character, and more likely to advance than to fall off.
The principal sources of the increased receipts are,-
Police assessment £ s. d. 3,508 9 6 Premiums on land sold 18,602 12 10 Markets 1,460 11 1 Fees and fines 2,032 1 4 Special receipts 1,450 16 4 Interest 900 0 0 22,954 11With the exception of the second item of this list, the great amount of which was caused by a sale of houses attached to the markets, the remaining five owe their increase to a more judicious management of Government property, a determination to make the community bear a fair proportion of its municipal expenses, and a decided increase in the population and the value of house property. Unless a change take place in the fortunes of the colony which no one has a right to anticipate at present, each successive year (supposing a similar line of policy to be persevered in) will increase these separate heads of revenue, and prevent a repetition of what has occurred this year, a falling off in the receipt from licences, but the trifling diminution there, 1857, may fairly be set down rather to accidental causes than to any failure in the prosperity of the colony.
The additions to the expenditure are principally to be attributed to,-
Increase of establishments:- £ s. d. Auditor General 422 4 1 Registrar General 1,167 0 11 Police and gaols 4,046 14 11 5,635 19 11 Carry forward 5,635 19 1242
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
STATE OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.
are highly satisfactory to all the respectable portion of the colonists, both native and foreign. The Registration Ordinance 6 was as to some of its provisions strongly opposed by me in the Legislative Council, and the more intimate knowledge of the people which the duties of my office have forced on me convince me that I was quite right in such opposition. With a fluctuating population such as ours it is impossible to carry out a system of personal registration, and it would be very injudicious to attempt so vexatious a proceeding, and then fail after all. Many of the other provisions of this Ordinance are admirable, but it attempts too much. Should it be remitted for recon- sideration, it can, I think, be substantially improved. The only other Ordinance which demands particular mention from me is 12, for checking the spread of venereal disease, which came into operation at the close of the year. This enactment is, I believe, the first instance in which an English legislature has attempted to control the evils arising from prostitution; and I am firmly convinced that no more wise or beneficial measure was ever introduced in this or any other part of Her Majesty's dominions. Like most other experiments, the first essay is perhaps far from being perfect; but, nevertheless, a vast amount of good must be the immediate result; and it is no slight satisfaction to me personally to have been allowed to co-operate in so good a work.
Colonial Treasurer.
The returns from this department will perhaps be more closely scrutinized by the home authorities than those of any other in the Colonial Government, and unless carefully dissected they may lead to some misconception. There will at first sight appear a most striking similarity between the increase of the revenue and of the expenditure.
The gross and net increase of the former having been 24,0731. 4s. andl 23,3411. 13s. 10d., and of the latter 23,5251. and 23,0714, respectively, thus apparently making the burdens on the colonial purse keep pace with its increasing prosperity; but, unless I am very much mistaken, it can be fairly demonstrated, that whereas the greater part of the outlay of the year 1837, was produced by political causes, the pressure of which had passed away before the close of the year, the additions to its revenue are of a permanent character, and more likely to advance than to fall off.
The principal sources of the increased receipts are,-
Police assessment
Premiums on land sold
Markets
Fees and fines
Special receipts
Interest
*
£ s. d.
3,508 9 6 18,602 12 10 1,460 11 1 2,032 1 4 1,450 16 44 900 0 0
22,954 11
With the exception of the second item of this list, the great amount of which was caused by a sale of houses attached to the markets, the remaining five owe their increase to a more judicious management of Government property, a determination to make the community bear a fair proportion of its municipal expenses, and a decided increase in the population and the value of house property. Unless a change take place in the fortunes of the colony which no one has a right to anticipate at present, each successive year (supposing a similar line of policy to be persevered in) will increase these separate heads of revenue, and prevent a repetition of what has occurred this year, a falling off in the receipt from licences, but the trifling diminution there, 1857, may fairly be set down rather to accidental causes than to any failure in the prosperity of the colony.
The additions to the expenditure are principally to be attributed to,-
Increase of establishments:--
Auditor General Registrar General
Police and gaols
d.
s. d.
422 4 1 1,167 0 11 4,046 14 11
5,635 19 14
Carry forward
5,635 19 1
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