SIR,
C.O.
16562 RECS
R 17 AUG 31
457
HONGKONG, 1st May, 1891.
*
local
With reference to Ilis Excellency the Governor's written speech, published in the papers of yesterday, in which His Excellency is reported as follows :-" But as regards the alleged surplus revenue from lights, it seems to be forgotten that besides Lighthouses "there are other costly services, such as the Harbour Master's establishment, Harbour launches "Harbour police, and the Observatory, involving an aggregate expenditure of some $80,000 per annum, which are maintained for the benefit of shipping, and which are principally "maintained out of the ordinary taxation of the colony"--I am directed by my Committee to call attention to the following figures, which are taken from the Government Gazette of the 11th April last. The disbursements specified by His Excellency appear there to be us
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follows:-
Harbour Master.. Observatory
$50,766.67 15,000.94
$65,767.61
The Observatory expenditure shows an increase of $7,216.06 on the previous year, over 50 per cent., and though classed by His Excellency as maintained for the benefit of shipping, may fairly be charged to the inhabitants of the colony as regards some portion; while, so far, the benefits derived by shipping from the establishment may very humbly estimated.
be
'some $80,000" and the The difference between His Excellency's estimates of " above amount perhaps arises from the "harbour launches" expenditure, if it is not included in the "harbour establishment," not being specifically stated in the Gazette, and the "harbour police," which doubtless is merged in the general police expenditure of the colony. If you will kindly refer to the revenues derived by the Harbour Master's Department, taken from the same Gazette, the following will be found:--
Emigration brokers
Junk licences...
Registry of boats
Registry of cargo boats... Cargo boat certificates
Shipping seamen ...
Examination of masters
Survey of steamers Registry fees
Medical Fees, Emigrants
Licences, steam launches...
Survey certificates, lanuches
Licences, Chinese passenger ships... Bills of Health
$ 1,400.00
22.397.75
4,631.50
6.272.50
1,192.50
10,880.00
2,135.0:1
9,060.87
278.00
13,096.75
422.50
995.00
$35.00
2,187.00
$75,234.37
From this it appears to my Committee that that expenditure mentioned by Ilis Excellency is not "principally maintained out of the ordinary taxation of the colony."
In instituting these comparative figures, some further items of expenditure, such us the salary of the Government Health Officer, say $2,000 per annum, are applicable to these receipts, and may be added to His Excellency's total of $80,000.
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