292
HONG KONG.
160
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
REPORTS EXHIBITING THE PRESENT STATE
It is in fact, a matter of the highest congratulation to this Government that while trade at other ports on the China coast during the past year has been notoriously unsatisfactory that of the British Colony has had an even and successful flow.
In the last month of the year (December) a petition for certain festival privileges, presented to the Government by the (native) body of compradors and head business-men, contained these words:
"Hong Kong is at this time a prosperous land, which is owing, indeed, to the power and virtues of Great Britain. Plenty abounds, and the people are thriving; taking pleasure in their business, while they live in security. All this arises from your happy protection."
I may be pardoned for saying that Sir Hercules Robinson has as much reason to congratulate himself on the results of 1864, as on those of any previous year of his administration.
Since the completion of the Blue Book I have received a memorandum on the native trade which I have caused to be included as giving much interesting information.
The Right Hon. Edward Cardwell, M.P.,
I have, &c.
(Signed)
W. T. MERCER.
&c.
&c.
&c.
Encl. 1 in No. 24.
SIR,
Revenue : 1864 1863
Expenditure: 1864 1963
1 of 1864,
2 of 1864.
3 of 1884. 10 of 1864.
12 of 1864. 13 of 1864.
Enclosure 1 in No. 24.
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hong Kong,
May 19, 1865.
I HAVE the honour to submit the Blue Book for 1864, together with the following few remarks on its contents:-
$637,846 37 576,375 30
$61,471 07
- $763,307 93 586,565 62
$176,742 31
Revenue and Expenditure.
The revenue in the year 1864 amounted to $637,846 37, being $61,471 07 in excess of that received in the previous year.
The increase is principally accounted for in the items of miscellaneous receipts, postages, and profit on coins, the last item being new. The augmentation in the amount of postage is satisfactory as some indication of commercial prosperity.
The expenditure in the year 1864 exceeded that of 1863 by $176,742 31, the greater part of which is to be attributed to the mint, although not so shown, as it was considered preferable for the present to include it under the head of Works and Buildings. The item land and houses purchased also shows an increase of more than $25,000; this is caused by the compensation made to squatters at Kowloon.
The satisfaction that may be felt at the increase of the revenue is not impaired by a glance at the items of decrease, which shows that the greater part of it consists of arrears of Crown rent, and police rates to be recovered; while the enlarged expenditure is of a nature not likely to be re-incurred; and the works on which it has been made may at no long interval of time be expected to repay the outlay.
Public Works.
Of the public works that were in progress, but not finished, during 1864, the principal were the gaol at Stone Cutter's island, the new central police-station, the mint, reclaiming land at Causeway Bay, and lamp posts and lamps for gas.
The works finished were Victoria gaol, the extension of the waterworks, and several roads, streets, bridges, and nullahs.
The department lost during the year the valuable assistance of Mr. Cleverly, who, after twenty years service in the Colony, has retired upon a pension.
Legislation.
Thirteen ordinances were passed in 1864; the most important were those relating to currency: the mint, bankruptcy, frauds by secret bills of sale, remedies on bills of exchange, and trade and commerce.
On the 9th of May an Ordinance, 7 of 1864, was passed by the Legislature, giving authority to two commissioners to compile a new edition of the Colonial Ordinances; and I may here state that the commissioners by the end of October had completed their work, so far as it was possible, pending the enactment of certain criminal ordinances, which are now being considered by a committee of the Legislative Council appointed at its last meeting.
Establishments.
The various departments, with some exceptions, have during the year been maintained at their full strength.
292
HONG KONG.
160
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
REPORTS EXHIBITING THE PRESENT STATE
It is in fact, a matter of the highest congratulation to this Government that while trade at other ports on the China coast during the past year has been notoriously unsatisfactory that of the British Colony has had an even and successful flow.
In the last month of the year (December) a petition for certain festival privileges, presented to the Government by the (native) body of compradors and head business- men, contained these words:
"Hong Kong is at this time a prosperous land, which is owing, indeed, to the power and virtues of Great Britain. Plenty abounds, and the people are thriving; taking pleasure in their business, while they live in security. All this arises from your happy protection."
I may be pardoned for saying that Sir Hercules Robinson has as much reason to congratulate himself on the results of 1864, as on those of any previous year of his administration.
Since the completion of the Blue Book I have received a memorandum on the native trade which I have caused to be included as giving much interesting information.
The Right Hon. Edward Cardwell, M.P.,
I have, &c.
(Signed)
W. T. MERCER.
&c.
&c.
&c.
Encl. 1 in No. 24.
SIR,
Revenue :
1864 1863
Expenditure: 1864 1963
1 of 1864,
2 of 1864.
3 of 1884. 10 of 1864.
12 of 1864. 13 of 1864.
Enclosure 1 in No. 24.
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hong Kong,
May 19, 1865.
I HAVE the honour to submit the Blue Book for 1864, together with the following few remarks on its contents:-
$637,846 37 576,375 30
$61,471 07
- $763,307 93 586,565 62
$176,742 31
Revenue and Expenditure.
The revenue in the year 1864 amounted to $637,846 37, boing $61,471 07 in excess of that received in the previous year.
The increase is principally accounted for in the items of miscellaneous receipts, postages, and profit on coins, the last item being new. The augmentation in the amount of postage is satisfactory as some indication of commercial prosperity.
The expenditure in the year 1864 exceeded that of 1863 by $176,742 31, the greater part of which is to be attributed to the mint, although not so shown, as it was considered preferable for the present to include it under the head of Works and Buildings. The item land and houses purchased also shows an increase of more than $25,000; this is caused by the compensation made to squatters at Kowloon.
The satisfaction that may be felt at the increase of the revenue is not impaired by a glance at the items of decrease, which shows that the greater part of it consists of arrears of Crown rent, and police rates to be recovered; while the enlarged expenditure is of a nature not likely to be re-incurred; and the works on which it has been made may at no long interval of time be expected to repay the outlay.
Public Works.
Of the public works that were in progress, but not finished, during 1864, the principal were the gaol at Stone Cutter's island, the new central police-station, the mint, reclaiming land at Causeway Bay, and lamp posts and lamps for gas.
The works finished were Victoria gaol, the extension of the waterworks, and several roads, streets, bridges, and nullahs.
The department lost during the year the valuable assistance of Mr. Cleverly, who, after twenty years service in the Colony, has retired upon a pension.
Legislation.
Thirteen ordinances were passed in 1864; the most important were those relating to currency: the mint, bankruptcy, frauds by secret bills of sale, remedies on bills of exchange, and trade and
commerce.
On the 9th of May an Ordinance, 7 of 1864, was passed by the Legislature, giving authority to two commissioners to compile a new edition of the Colonial Ordinances; and I may here state that the commissioners by the end of October had completed their work, so far as it was possible, pending the enactment of certain criminal ordinances, which are now being considered by a committee of the Legisla- tive Council appointed at its last meeting.
Establishments.
The various departments, with some exceptions, have during the year been maintained at their full .strength.
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