CO129-023 - Sir John Davis - 1848 [1-3] — Page 190

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

The answer, as well as the purposes of Police Revenue, including even the licence (or rather rent) of the Stone Quarries, and that of the Salt Contractor, who is answerable for the conduct of the Chinese with whom he is concerned.

The Police Assessment, being 5 Per Cent on the Rent of inhabited Houses, is £2,240. The remaining Revenue consists of £4,170 derived from the Fees and Fines of the Courts, and Official Fees paid into the Treasury; and lastly of Miscellaneous sums amounting all to £1,252.

Notwithstanding the approval of the Board of Trade to the tax formerly laid on the consumption of Opium, I was induced by the general impression that prevailed against it, to convert the Monopoly in the hands of a single individual into Licences to any number of Manufacturers and Sellers of opium within the Colony - as reported in my Despatch No 82 of 23rd July 1847. The principle of this latter tax being properly that of Licenses for selling wine, Beer, and Spirits, there can be no objections to the one applying to the other. The advantages of both are, that they combine a tax on vicious indulgences with the means of control over those who provide them.

This brief account of the Colonial Revenue may serve to correct some mis-statements that were made before a Committee of the House of Commons in 1847, on which subject I have to refer your Lordship to a more detailed notice transmitted in my Despatch No 12 of 17th January.

The Expenditure of 1865 was £66,726, in a great measure on account of Public Works. In 1846 it was reduced to £60,351. It has this Year been brought down to £50,959, from which deducting the local...

Edit History

2026-05-17 02:32:39 · NVIDIA / meta/llama-4-maverick-17b-128e-instruct
Live
View comparison
AI Proofread
The answer, as well as the purposes of Police Revenue, including even the licence (or rather rent) of the Stone Quarries, and that of the Salt Contractor, who is answerable for the conduct of the Chinese with whom he is concerned. The Police Assessment, being 5 Per Cent on the Rent of inhabited Houses, is £2,240. The remaining Revenue consists of £4,170 derived from the Fees and Fines of the Courts, and Official Fees paid into the Treasury; and lastly of Miscellaneous sums amounting all to £1,252. Notwithstanding the approval of the Board of Trade to the tax formerly laid on the consumption of Opium, I was induced by the general impression that prevailed against it, to convert the Monopoly in the hands of a single individual into Licences to any number of Manufacturers and Sellers of opium within the Colony - as reported in my Despatch No 82 of 23rd July 1847. The principle of this latter tax being properly that of Licenses for selling wine, Beer, and Spirits, there can be no objections to the one applying to the other. The advantages of both are, that they combine a tax on vicious indulgences with the means of control over those who provide them. This brief account of the Colonial Revenue may serve to correct some mis-statements that were made before a Committee of the House of Commons in 1847, on which subject I have to refer your Lordship to a more detailed notice transmitted in my Despatch No 12 of 17th January. The Expenditure of 1865 was £66,726, in a great measure on account of Public Works. In 1846 it was reduced to £60,351. It has this Year been brought down to £50,959, from which deducting the local...
Baseline (Original)
3 The anewer. as well as the purpores of Police. Revenue, including. even the licence (or rather rent ) of the Stone Guarries, and that- of the Salt Contractor, who is answerable for the conduct of the Chinese with whom he is concerned. on The - The Police Acccement, bring. 5 Per Cent the Rent of inhabited Houses, is £ 2,240 remaining Mevenue consists of £ 4.170 derived from the Fees and Fines of the Courts, and Official Fees paid into the Treasury; and lastly of Miscellaneous sums amoniting all to £1,252- in Notwithstanding the approval of the Bond of Trade to the tax formerly laid on the consumption of Opium, I was induced by the general impression that prevailed against it, to convert it, to convert the Monopoly in the hands of a single individual into Licences to of Manufacturers and Sellers any number of opium within the Colony - as reported in - Would it not bee 186 my Despatch. At 82 of 23? July 18477 - The- principle of this latter tax being proeierly that. of Licenses for selling wine, Beer, and Spirits, be no objections to the not apply to the other. The advantages of that they combine a tax on vicious there can both are, one which d of control over indulgences with the means of those who provide them.- This brief account, of the Colonial Revenue. may serve to correct some mis-statements that were made before a Committee of the House of Commons in 1847, on which subject I have to refer your Lordship to a more ___ right to communicate detailed notice transmitted in my_ gether with thing? Despatch 12. 17. of 36th January. - hapenditure.. DB. in a The Expenditure of 1865 was £66,726,- great. measure on recount of Public= Works - In 1846 it was reduced to £60,351 It has this Year been brought down to £50.959- from which deducting the local
2026-05-17 02:32:39 · Baseline
View content

3

The

anewer.

as well as

the purpores of Police. Revenue, including. even the licence (or rather rent ) of the Stone Guarries, and that- of the Salt Contractor, who is answerable for the conduct of the Chinese with whom he is

concerned.

on

The

-

The Police Acccement, bring. 5 Per Cent the Rent of inhabited Houses, is £ 2,240 remaining Mevenue consists of £ 4.170 derived from the Fees and Fines of the Courts, and Official Fees paid into the Treasury; and lastly of Miscellaneous sums amoniting all to £1,252-

in

Notwithstanding the approval of the Bond of Trade to the tax formerly laid on the consumption of Opium, I was induced by the general impression that prevailed against it, to convert

it, to convert the Monopoly

in the

hands of a single individual into Licences to of Manufacturers and Sellers

any

number

of opium within the Colony - as reported in

-

Would it not bee

186

my Despatch. At 82 of 23? July 18477 - The- principle of this latter tax being proeierly that. of Licenses for selling wine, Beer, and Spirits, be no objections to the not apply to the other. The advantages of

that they combine a tax on vicious

there

can

both are,

one

which d

of control over

indulgences with the means of those who provide them.-

This brief account, of the Colonial Revenue.

may serve to correct some mis-statements

that were made before a Committee of the House of Commons in 1847, on which subject I have to refer your Lordship to a more ___ right to communicate detailed notice transmitted in my_ gether with thing? Despatch 12. 17. of 36th January. -

hapenditure..

DB.

in a

The Expenditure of 1865 was £66,726,-

great.

measure on recount of Public=

Works - In 1846 it was reduced to £60,351

It has this

Year

been

brought down to

£50.959- from which deducting the local

Comments

Approved members can add comments, bookmarks, and private notes.

No comments yet.

Private Research Note

Private notes are available after approval.