80
HỒNG KONG.
Expenditure.
Military Expenditure.
Public Works.
Report and Blue Books.
No. 2. No. 3.
Legislation.
Population.
230 Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841–1941
REPORTS EXHIBITING THE PAST AND PRESENT
on the consumption of opium, as expressed in the enclosure to your Lordship's Despatch, No. 46, of 24th November, and with my own concurrent convictions on the same subject, I shall continue to derive a revenue from this source, with such modifications of the existing law as time and experience may dictate.
While the income of this colony has increased during the past year, it is satisfactory to observe, that the total expenditure has diminished, the difference amounting to £3751. 9s. 8d. In my Despatch, No. 137, of 24th November, I had the honour to report retrenchments of a permanent nature, in the reduction of salaries, to the extent of £2800 per annum; and I at the same time suggested further retrenchments to the extent of £1800 yearly.
The military expenditure of this colony is wholly defrayed by the Army and Ordnance Estimates. The reduction of the military establishment and staff, from a field force to the scale of a garrison, will this year effect an important retrenchment in expense, which will be assisted by the change from Indian allowances to ordinary colonial pay.
The expenditure on account of public works during the ensuing 12 months will be comparatively large, on account of the building for the public offices, estimated at £14,300, to be executed by the Ordnance Department. The works already in progress, or of which the reports and estimates have been sanctioned by Her Majesty's Government, comprise nearly all that are required by the early exigencies of this new colony, with the exception of a court-house, which is at present rented, and of a government house, which I have left to the last.
In my Report of last year I stated that a good road extended within five miles of the circumference of the whole island, 18 miles being completed out of 23. The remaining five miles are now ordered to be executed, and this work has been commenced. For purposes of military protection as well as police, and for the general traffic and internal communication of the colony, this road is essential.
Appended to this Despatch, are two Reports from the Surveyor-General on the Public Works during 1846, and on the progress of his department. From the former of these it appears, that the value of convict labour in the course of the year is estimated at nearly £700. I find, on examination, that the food and clothing of the prisoners in gaol has amounted to £7134.; and hence, it appears, that this necessary expense has been nearly repaid by the labour of the convicts. The completion of gaols has relieved the Government from a heavy amount of rent paid for the occupation of hired buildings, and, at the same time, greatly augmented the security of the prisoners.
The receipt of a final sanction for the work from your Lordship, has enabled me to commence the erection of a Colonial Church. The first stone of the building was laid by me on the 11th instant, with a large attendance of the colony; and the event is so far memorable, as this is the first Protestant Episcopal Church ever erected on the confines of China. The delay which has arisen from the postponed sanction of Her Majesty's Government, has tended to mature the plans, as well as to accumulate funds. One-third of the expense having been contributed by the inhabitants, I have deemed it right to pass an Ordinance, vesting the property and management of the church partly in trustees chosen by the subscribers, and partly in others nominated by the Governor. A copy of the Ordinance in question will be transmitted by the next mail.
Under the head of Legislation, only seven Ordinances were passed during the year 1846, and four of these were to amend or modify the provisions of previously-existing laws. The most important enactment of the year has been Ordinance No. 3, for the relief of insolvent debtors, which has received the sanction of Her Majesty. From Ordinance No. 7, for the more effectual registration of the Chinese inhabitants, I anticipate the best effects.
Some apparent diminution in the gross amount of the Chinese population, as compared with last year, is explainable by a more careful system of registration, which, while it gives a truer account of the actual number, relieves us from those who hung loose on the community, and only applied for tickets to make a bad use of them. The number of females and of families has increased from last year, and this (as I before observed) is a very favourable indication, being symptomatic of more fixed habits, and a confidence in our Government.
The return of population is entirely exclusive of the troops, which amount...
80
HỒNG KONG.
Expenditure.
Military Expendi- inre.
Public Works.
Report and Blue Books.
No. 2. No. 3.
Legislation.
spulation.
230
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841–1941
REPORTS EXHIBITING THE PAST AND PRESENT
on the consumption of opium, as expressed in the enclosure to your Lordship's Despatch, No. 46, of 24th November, and with my own concurrent convictions on the same subject, I shall continue to derive a revenue from this source, with such modifications of the existing law as time and experience may dictate.
While the income of this colony has increased during the past year, it is satisfactory to observe, that the total expenditure has diminished, the difference amounting to 63751. 9s. 8d. In my Despatch, No. 137, of 24th November, I' had the honour to report retrenchments of a permanent nature, in the reduc- tion of salaries, to the extent of 28007. per annum; and I at the same time suggested further retrenchments to the extent of 18001 yearly.
The military expenditure of this colony is wholly defrayed by the Army and Ordnance Estimates. The reduction of the military establishment and staff, from a field force to the scale of a garrison, will this year effect an important retrenchment in expense, which will be assisted by the change from Indian al- lowances to ordinary colonial pay.
The expenditure on account of public works during the ensuing 12 months will be comparatively large, on account of the building for the public offices, estimated at 14,3001, to be executed by the Ordnance Department. The works already in progress, or of which the reports and estimates have been sanctioned by Her Majesty's Government, comprise nearly all that are required by the early exigencies of this new colony, with the exception of a court-house, which is at present rented, and of a government house, which I have left to the last.
In my Report of last year I stated that a good road extended within five miles of the circumference of the whole island, 18 miles being completed out of 23. The remaining five miles are now ordered to be executed, and this work has been commenced. For purposes of military protection as well as police, and for the general traffic and internal communication of the colony, this road is essential.
Appended to this Despatch, are two Reports from the Surveyor-General on the Public Works during 1816, and on the progress of his department. From the former of these it appears, that the value of convict labour in the course of the year is estimated at nearly 7001. I find, on examination, that the food and clothing of the prisoners in gaol has amounted to 7134.; and hence, it appears, that this necessary expense has been nearly repaid by the labour of the convicts. The completion of gaols has relieved the Government from a heavy amount of rent paid for the occupation of hired buildings, and, at the same time, greatly augmented the security of the prisoners.
The receipt of a final sanction for the work from your Lordship, has enabled me to commence the erection of a Colonial Church. The first stone of the building was laid by me on the 11th instant, with a large attendance of the colony; and the event is so far memorable, as this is the first Protestant Epis- copal Church ever erected on the confines of China. The delay which has arisen from the postponed sauction of Her Majesty's Government, has tended to mature the plans, as well as to accumulate funds. One-third of the expense having been contributed by the inhabitants, I have deemed it right to pass an Ordinance, vesting the property and management of the church partly in trus- tees chosen by the subscribers, and partly in others nominated by the Governor. A copy of the Ordinance in question will be transmitted by the next mail.
Under the head of Legislation, only seven Ordinances were passed during the year 1846, and four of these were to amend or modify the provisions of previously-existing laws. The most important enactment of the year has been Ordinance No. 3, for the relief of insolvent debtors, which has received the sanction of Her Majesty. From Ordinance No. 7, for the more effectual registration of the Chinese inhabitants, I anticipate the best effects.
Some apparent diminution in the gross amount of the Chinese population, as compared with last year, is explainable by a more careful system of registra- tion, which, while it gives a truer account of the actual number, relieves us from those who hung loose on the community, and only applied for tickets to make a bad use of them. The number of females and of families has in- creased from last year, and this (as I before observed) is a very favourable indication, being symptomatic of more fixed habits, and a confidence in our Government.
The return of population is entirely exclusive of the troops, which amount
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