325
to $1,165,700; leaving an excess of revenue over Ordinary Expenditure of $120,800. The Extraordinary Expenditure of 1883 was defrayed from the accumulated Balances, and included the Tai-tam Water Works, $90,966; Break-water, $22,510; Causeway Bay Reclamation, $9,000; Purchase of Houses and Land for the New Central Market, $21,000; Sanitary Works, $30,483. Total, $173,950.
The Estimated Balance to the credit of the Colony on the 31st December, 1883, was $1,095,505.
7. Hongkong is probably the only State or Colony of importance which at the present day is not only without a Public Debt, but which possesses invested Assets nearly equal to its annual revenue. However, the existing Balances will not be sufficient to carry out several Public Works which are urgently required by this Community, in addition to those "strong and complete measures of sanitation" which Mr. CHADWICK (the Civil Engineer recently sent out from England) has reported to be absolutely necessary "for the immediate benefit of the public health." Under these circumstances, I concur with the Executive Council in what appears to be the general opinion of the Colony, viz., that the present generation of Colonists ought not to be deprived of the advantages referred to, while it cannot of course be expected to defray the entire cost of works of a permanent and reproductive character; and that, consequently, it will be expedient to raise, on the exhaustion of the existing assets, a moderate loan, not much exceeding the revenue of a single year.
This question will not have to be decided in its details during the present Session; but I desire to elicit the opinion of the Council on the principle involved.
8. The Estimates for 1884 have been already voted. The Estimates for 1885 will be laid before you in next November; which seems to be the most generally convenient period for the opening of the annual Session.
9. With regard to Legislative measures; The following Ordinances, among others, have already become law since I assumed this Government in the spring of last year, viz.: Ordinances to provide for the better Regulation of Vehicles and Public Traffic; To organise the construction of certain lines of Tramways; To constitute a Sanitary Board; To amend the Merchant Shipping Law and provide for the enforcement of Quarantine; To continue the operation of the French Mail Steamers Ordinance; To authorise the construction of certain Piers and Wharves. The principal Bills which will be laid before you during the present session will be the following:
(1.) To regulate Weights and Measures.
(2.) To consolidate and amend the Ordinances relating to Opium.
(3.) To establish a Savings Bank.
(4.) To consolidate and amend the laws relating to Stamp Duties.
(5.) To provide for the Registration of Medical Practitioners.
(6.) To regulate Prisons and Prisons Discipline.
(7.) To amend the Dangerous Goods' Ordinance, 1873.
(8.) To amend the Preservation of Birds' Ordinance, 1870.
(9.) To amend certain Ordinances relating to Criminal Procedure.
(10.) To amend the law relating to the punishment of criminals.
(11.) To amend the Bankruptcy Ordinance of 1864.
(12.) To regulate the Post Office and Postal Service.
(13.) To amend Ordinance No. 10 of 1867.
(14.) To provide for the more effectual protection of Chinese female children.
10. The report of the Commission on Smuggling; and an able and exhaustive memorandum by Mr. Justice RUSSELL on the so-called Blockade of Hongkong by Chinese Revenue Cruisers are recommended to your attention. I have discussed this important question with the present British Minister at Peking, who will, I am confident, lend his aid towards carrying out an equitable settlement.
11. Turning to the vital subject of the Public Health, I am glad to inform you that the recent organisation of a Government Sanitary Board under Ordinance No. 7 of 1883, and the promulgation of new Rules and Regulations under that Ordinance, together with the introduction of improved contracts for the removal and disposal of waste products, have been followed by a marked improvement in the practical sanitation of the Colony. Much however remains to be done, both in respect of legislation and of structural sanitary work; but I am confident that the necessary reforms and improvements will in due course be effected by the zeal and ability of the officers to whom this branch of the Public Service has been entrusted, and by the cheerful acquiescence of all classes of our population in such measures and restrictions for the safety of the Public Health as may, with your assistance, become law. In this connection, Bills are in course of preparation to amend and consolidate the laws relating to the Public Health; to amend the Building Ordinance No. 8 of 1856; to regulate the Water supply, and to prevent waste. Owing however to the large and comprehensive nature of these Bills, no less than to the probable necessity of referring certain technical points to scientific authorities in England, it is possible that there may not be time for their full consideration during the present session. In this event, they will form the subject of your first deliberations in the next session. In the meantime, however, the carrying out of such works as were deemed of immediate importance to the Public Health has been sanctioned. These works, which are either in progress or in course of immediate initiation, include, among others, the Reclamation of unhealthy tidal lands at Yau-ma-Ti and Causeway Bay; Extensions and improvements of the existing system of sewers in this city; the construction of a new Central Market; the erection of a permanent Lazaretto on Stone Cutters' Island; the systematic dredging of the noxious foreshore along the Praya by means of steam machinery; and the general Sanitation of the villages in the Colony.
325
to $1,165,700; leaving an excess of revenue over Ordinary Expenditure of $120,800. The Extraordinary Expenditure of 1883 was defrayed from the accu- mulated Balances, and included the
Tai-tam Water Works,.
.$90,966
Break-water,
22,510
Causeway Bay Reclamation,
9,000
Purchase of Houses and Land for the New Central Market, Sanitary Works,.
21,000
30,483
.$173,950
Total,......
The Estimated Balance to the credit of the Colony on the 31st December, 1883, was $1,095,505.
7. Hongkong is probably the only State or Colony of importance which at the present day is not only without a Public Debt, but which possesses invested Assets nearly equal to its annual revenue. However, the existing Balances will not be sufficient to carry out several Public Works which are urgently required by this Community, in addition to those " strong and complete measures of sanitation" which Mr. CHADWICK (the Civil Engineer recently sent out from England) has re- ported to be absolutely necessary "for the immediate benefit of the public health.” Under these circumstances, I concur with the Executive Council in what appears to be the general opinion of the Colony, viz., that the present generation of Colonists ought not to be deprived of the advantages referred to, while it cannot of course he expected to defray the entire cost of works of a permanent and reproductive character; and that, consequently, it will be expedient to raise, on the exhaustion of the existing assets, a moderate loan, not much exceeding the revenue of a single
year.
This question will not have to be decided in its details during the present Session; but I desire to clicit the opinion of the Council on the principle involved.
8. The Estimates for 1884 have been already voted. The Estimates for 1885 will be laid before you in next. November; which seems to be the most generally convenient period for the opening of the annual Session.
9. With regard to Legislative measures ;- -The following Ordinances, among others, have already become law since I assumed this Government in the spring of last year, viz.: Ordinances to provide for the better Regulation of Vehicles and Public Traffic; To organise the construction of certain lines of Tramways; To constitute a Sanitary Board; To amend the Merchant Shipping Law and provide for the enforcement of Quarantine; To continue the operation of the French Mail Steamers Ordinance; To authorise the construction of certain Piera and Wharves. The principal Bills which will be laid before you during the present session will be the following:
(1.) To regulate Weights and Measures.
(2.) To consolidate and amend the Ordinances relating to Opium. (3.) To establish a Savings Bank.
(4.) To consolidate and amend the laws relating to Stamp Duties. (5.) To provide for the Registration of Medical Practitioners. (6.) To regulate Prisons and Prisons Discipline.
(7.) To amend the Dangerous Goods' Ordinance, 1873. (8.) To amend the Preservation of Birds' Ordinance, 1870.
(9.) To amend certain Ordinances relating to Criminal Procedure,
(10.) To amend the law relating to the punishment of criminals. (11.) To amend the Bankruptcy Ordinance of 1864.
(12.) To regulate the Post Office and Postal Service.
(18.) To amend Ordinance No. 10 of 1867.
(14.) To provide for the more effectual protection of Chinese female
children.
10. The report of the Commission on Smuggling; and an able and exhaustive memorandum by Mr. Justice RUSSELL on the so-called Blockade of Hongkong by I have discussed Chinese Revenue Cruisers are recommended to your attention.
this important question with the present British Minister at Peking, who will, I am confident, lend his aid towards carrying out an equitable settlement.
11. Turning to the vital subject of the Public Health, I am glad to in- form you that the recent organisation of a Government Sanitary Board under Ordinance No. 7 of 1883, and the promulgation of new Rules and Regulations under that Ordinance, together with the introduction of improved contracts for the removal and disposal of waste products, have been followed by a marked improve- ment in the practical sanitation of the Colony. Much however remains to be done, both in respect of legislation and of structural sanitary work; but I am confident that the necessary reforms and improvements will in due course be effected by the zeal and ability of the officers to whom this branch of the Public Service has been entrusted, and by the cheerful acquiescence of all classes of our population in such measures and restrictions for the safety of the Public Health as may, with your assistance, become law. In this connection, Bills are in course of preparation to amend and consolidate the laws relating to the l'ublic Health; to amend the Building Ordinance No. 8 of 1856; to regulate the Water supply, and to prevent waste. Owing however to the large and comprehensive nature of these Bills, no less than to the probable necessity of referring certain technical points to scientific authorities in England, it is possible that there may not be time for their full consi- deration during the present session. In this event, they will form the subject of your first deliberations in the next session. In the meantime, however, the carrying out of such works as were deemed of immediate importance to the Public Health has been sanctioned. These works, which are either in progress or in course of immediate initiation, include, among others, the Reclamation of unhealthy tidal lands at Yau-ma-Ti and Causeway Bay; Extensions and improvements of the existing system of sewers in this city; the construction of a new Central Market; the erection of a permanent Lazaretto on Stone Cutters' Island; the systematic dredging of the noxious foreshore along the Praya by means of steam machinery; and the general Sanitation of the villages in the Colony.
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