1841-1886
249
# STATE OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.
111
value," but a seat of anarchy and a source of embarrassment). I hope therefore, measures will be taken for obtaining a cession of this tract of land.
14. One subject I wish again to press on the attention of Her Majesty's Government. There have been many proposals to tax the commerce of Hong Kong for general and special purposes. Believing that the satisfactory development of our prosperity is mainly due to the emancipation of all shipping and trade from fiscal vexations and exactions, I trust no custom house machinery will ever be introduced either for the collection of tariff or harbour dues, or for any purpose which may check the free ingress and egress of all shipping to and from the port, nor the free transfer of commodities from hand to hand. Hong Kong presents another example of the elasticity and potency of unrestricted commerce, which in my judgment has more than counterbalanced the barrenness of its soil, the absence of agricultural and manufacturing industry, the disadvantages of its climate, and every impediment which could clog its progress. Its magnificent harbour invites the flags of all nations, which there is nothing in its legislation to repel. Its laws give no privileges to any, but afford equal security to all; and I am persuaded the equity with which justice is administered is beginning to produce a most salutary effect on the minds of the Chinese people.
15. The year through which we have passed has been one of great embarrassment. The unhappy misunderstandings among the officials, fomented by passionate partisanship and by a reckless and slanderous newspaper press, made the conduct of public affairs one of extreme difficulty; and in a colony like this where, if functionaries are displaced, it is not easy to find fit successors; the distance from home and the indifferent reputation of the climate (not a good one certainly, but its unhealthiness has been much exaggerated,) render it so little attractive, that few desirable candidates can be found for official employment. I had sometimes reason to fear that the machinery of administration would be absolutely dislocated by the unseemly contentions which could not but greatly impair the efficiency of officers so frequently engaged in mutual recriminations. Many heads of departments were absent from the colony; illness interfered with the usefulness of others. We are now happily at peace, and I hope shall continue so, and that my successor will be spared the anxieties which have surrounded me. I am, however, strongly confirmed in one conclusion, that it is impossible the public service should not suffer if functionaries, especially the higher ones, are allowed to profit by private professional engagements. The enormous power and influence of the great commercial houses in China, when associated directly or indirectly with personal pecuniary advantages, which they are able to confer on public officers who are permitted to be employed and engaged by them, cannot but create a conflict between duties not always compatible with one another. The colony is quite in a condition liberally to provide for its public servants, and to Her Majesty's Government and to the colony alone ought they to look for remuneration of their services. In reference to colonial disputes, I cannot pass over in silence the great claims which Mr. Caldwell, the Registrar General, has upon the colony and upon Her Majesty's Government for rendering aid, such as he only could render, and of which so much evidence has been given in the past year, while everything has been done by his enemies to undermine his reputation and destroy his efficiency.
16. The satisfactory state of the revenue for the past year is referred to in the report of the Colonial Secretary, and the position of the finances is still more gratifying from the fact, that the augmentation of the income grows not out of transitory and uncertain but from those permanent sources which are more likely to be strengthened than weakened by the progress of time.
of time. It must be remembered that we have no direct taxation, but the police and lighting rates, which barely suffice to cover the expenditure under those particular heads. One impost has been removed whose productiveness was small and whose annoyances and inconvenience great, that upon salt, which having been wholly freed from taxation, has become an article of increased commercial importance.
17. After providing for the fixed and ordinary expenses, a handsome balance will remain for application to public works. Those recommended for special attention will be adequately provided for. The Government grant for the Civil Hospital has enabled us to obtain a building singularly well adapted to the object, placed on a very healthy locality, and which being in good repair saves the costs, delays, and uncertainties of erecting a new building.
18. The gaol too will be promptly proceeded with. Beyond the Parliamentary grant for 5,000l., it is doubtful whether more outlay will be required for the present year. The healthiness and accessibility of the site has determined in the negative the question of its removal, considerations paramount to that of the value of the ground were it sold by the Government for general purposes.
1841-1886
249
STATE OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.
;
111
value," but a seat of anarchy and a source of embarrassment). I hope therefore, measures will be taken for obtaining a cession of this tract of land.
:
14. One subject I wish again to press on the attention of Her Majesty's Government. There have been many proposals to tax the commerce of Hong Kong for general and special purposes. Believing that the satisfactory development of our prosperity is mainly due to the emancipation of all shipping and trade from fiscal vexations and exactions, I trust no custom house machinery will ever be introduced either for the collection of tariff or harbour dues, or for any purpose which may check the free ingress and egress of all shipping to and from the port, nor the free transfer of commodities from hand to hand. Hong Kong presents another example of the elasticity and potency of unrestricted com- merce, which in my judgment has more than counterbalanced the barrenness of its soil, the absence of agricultural and manufacturing industry, the disadvantages of its climate, and every impediment which could clog its progress. Its magnificent harbour invites the flags of all nations, which there is nothing in its legislation to repel. Its laws give no privileges to any, but afford equal security to all; and I am persuaded the equity with which justice is administered is beginning to produce a most salutary effect on the minds of the Chinese people.
?
+
15. The year through which we have passed has been one of great embarrassment. The unhappy misunderstandings among the officials, fomented by passionate partizanship and by a reckless and slanderous newspaper press, made the conduct of public affairs one of extreme difficulty; and in a colony like this where, if functionaries are displaced, it is not easy to find fit successors; the distance from home and the indifferent reputation of the climate (not a good one certainly, but its unhealthiness has been much exaggerated,) render it so little attractive, that few desirable candidates can be found for official em- ployment. I had sometimes reason to fear that the machinery of administration would be absolutely dislocated by the unseemly contentions which could not but greatly impair the efficiency of officers so frequently engaged in mutual recriminations. Many heads of departments were absent from the colony; illness interfered with the usefulness of others. We are now happily at peace, and I hope shall continue so, and that my successor will be spared the anxieties which have surrounded me. I am, however, strongly confirmed in one conclusion, that it is impossible the public service should not suffer if functionaries, 'especially the higher ones, are allowed to profit by private professional engagements. The enormous power and influence of the great commercial houses in China, when associated directly or indirectly with personal pecuniary advantages, which they are able to confer on public officers who are permitted to be employed and engaged by them, cannot but create a conflict between duties not always compatible with one another. The colony is quite in a condition liberally to provide for its public servants, and to Her Majesty's Government and to the colony alone ought they to look for remuneration of their services. In reference to colonial disputes, I cannot pass over in silence the great claims which Mr. Caldwell, the Registrar General, has upon the colony and upon Her Majesty's Government for rendering aid, such as he only could render, and of which so much evidence has been given in the past year, while everything has been done by his enemies to undermine his reputation and destroy his efficiency.
י
16. The satisfactory state of the revenue for the past year is referred to in the report of the Colonial Secretary, and the position of the finances is still more gratifying from the fact, that the augmentation of the income grows not out of transitory and uncertain but from those permanent sources which are more likely to be strengthened than weakened by the progress of time.
of time. It must be remembered that we have no direct taxation, but the police and lighting rates, which barely suffice to cover the expenditure under those particular heads. One impost has been removed whose productiveness was small and whose annoyances and inconvenience great, that upon salt, which having been wholly freed from taxation, has become an article of increased commercial importance.
17. After providing for the fixed and ordinary expenses, a handsome balance will remain for application to public works. Those recommended for special attention will be adequately provided for. The Government grant for the Civil Hospital has enabled us to obtain a building singularly well adapted to the object, placed on a very healthy locality, and which being in good repair saves the costs, delays, and uncertainties of erecting a new building.
18. The gaol too will be promptly proceeded with. Beyond the Parliamentary grant for 5,000%. it is doubtful whether more outlay will be required for the present year. The healthiness and accessibleness of the site has determined in the negative the question of its removal, considerations paramount to that of the value of the ground were it sold by the Government for general purposes.
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