CO129-273 - Governor Sir Robinson & Others - 1896 [10-12] — Page 381

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2. Military Expenditure,...

The principal increases in expenditure, as compared with the Estimates for 1896, appear under the following heads:-

1. Public Works Extraordinary chargeable to Loan, $170,800

2. Military Expenditure, $30,079

3. Pensions, $26,000

4. Public Works Recurrent, $23,300

5. Post Office, $22,181

6. Public Debt, $11,447

7. Sanitary Department, $9,800

8. Medical Department, $4,542

The increase in Military Expenditure is due partly to an increase of $9,000 in the amount set apart for "Barrack Services," but chiefly to increased (estimated) revenue. Only $61,000 of the estimated total Military Expenditure is included in the Appropriation Bill, viz., $49,000 for Barrack Services and $12,000 for the Volunteers, as the Bill to which I have already referred and which is designed purposely to remove the question of voting the Defence Contribution from the arena of yearly debate, will provide for the appropriation of 17 per cent. of the revenue, less premia on land sales, to meet that contribution.

The increase under the item of Public Works Recurrent is accounted for chiefly by the cost of maintaining the new waterworks at Shaukiwan and Aberdeen, and increased cost of maintenance of roads and bridges, and of the repairs to buildings which will probably be necessary during next year.

The additional charge on account of the Public Debt is due to the increase in the contribution to the Sinking Fund, which commenced only in October last.

The large increase in the cost of the Sanitary Department calls for some special explanation.

It has been found that the present staff of inspectors is not sufficient to provide for the inspection of the Chinese houses with the frequency and regularity which are necessary. The Sanitary Board has accordingly recommended, and the Secretary of State has sanctioned, the appointment of two more inspectors of nuisances, with the necessary additional interpreters and foremen of street cleansers. The salaries for these new appointments, with various stipulated increments in the pay of other officers, and the salary of a temporary clerk who was appointed in April, 1895, and whose salary does not appear in the 1896 Estimates, accounts for the increase in personal emoluments, while the increase under "other charges" is principally due to the higher figures at which the scavenging contracts are let.

The increase under the heading "Post Office" is due entirely to estimated increase in transit charges, or the sum which this Colony has to pay for the conveyance of its mail matter. This increase need cause no alarm; on the other hand, it is a matter of congratulation, for it indicates an estimated expansion of business and consequent increase of profit.

The increase in the cost of the Medical Department is owing to the appointment of an Assistant Surgeon in place of the Medical Officer of the Gaol, at a higher salary; to the appointment of an additional Sister, and to well-deserved increases in the pay of Dr. Lowson and the Analyst and Assistant Analyst, and a few minor appointments, including the Chinese staff for the new Isolation Hospital.

Economies have been effected as opportunity offered, on the lines suggested by the Retrenchment Committee, but such opportunities have been rare.

The rate of exchange for the Estimates for 1897 has been taken at 2/1, the same rate as was taken for 1896, which may be regarded as a safe rate so far as the word "safe" can be applied to exchange.

If any further information is desired with regard to the Estimates, it will be furnished in Finance Committee or when the Council is in Committee on the Bill. I have now only to ask you, gentlemen, to vote the sum necessary to defray the charges for the coming year.

I will now make a few remarks upon the general condition of the Colony financially and otherwise.

The total estimated revenue for 1896 was $2,288,366. Of this sum, $2,120,680 had been collected up to the end of October, and the total revenue will probably be about $2,495,000, while the total expenditure chargeable to revenue will be about $2,445,000, leaving a surplus of Revenue over Expenditure of some $50,000.

The increase in receipts over the amount which was estimated is principally due to premia on Land Sales, which have yielded already over $250,000 as against an estimated total for the whole year of $70,000.

There are also noticeable increases in the receipts up to the 31st October, under the headings "Light Dues," "Licences and Internal Revenue not otherwise specified" and "Post Office," over the estimated receipts up to that date.

The principal items of unforeseen expenditure, which were not provided for in the Estimates for 1896, are $20,000 for a new floating engine for the Fire Brigade and nearly $70,000 for expenses incurred in connection with the repression of the plague.

Turning now to the question of the health and sanitation of the Colony, the present year will be a memorable one owing to the unfortunate recurrence of the disease known as bubonic plague, which was so disastrous in 1894. The outbreak commenced early in the year, the disease was at its worst stage in April and May, and was not finally stamped out till the end of September. The total number of cases brought to notice was 1,204, of which 1,097 ended fatally. The Europeans attacked numbered 15, of whom 7, including two soldiers and one inspector of nuisances, succumbed to the disease. Sister Catherine, one of the two sisters who were engaged in nursing at the Plague Hospital, was also attacked by the disease, but fortunately recovered. The largest number of fresh cases in one week was 100, from the 23rd to 30th May, and the greatest number of deaths was 87, for the week ending 9th May.

During the whole of this period, the Sanitary Board and its staff, ably assisted by members of the Police and of the Garrison, whose services were kindly lent, and all those connected with the work of suppressing the plague, were untiring in their efforts, and they deserve great credit for their zeal and energy. It is perhaps too much to hope that the disease will not again visit this Colony, and we must, I fear, be prepared for its re-appearance in spite of every effort to prevent it.

It is satisfactory to record that, though many of the wealthier Chinese sent their wives and families to the mainland, there was no general exodus of the population such as occurred in 1894, and business proceeded much as usual. Dr. Yersin and Dr. Kreasaro, whose names and attainments are so well known, have each prepared an antitoxin for the treatment of the plague, and I am taking steps to secure a supply of the preparation. Finally, I cannot dismiss the subject of the plague without recording the Colony's indebtedness to the Medical Department of this Colony, including the Sisters. Dr. Wmy, of the Imperial German Navy, whose services were kindly lent by Admiral Hoffman, also rendered invaluable assistance throughout in treating the patients at the Kennedytown Hospital, of which he was in charge, and by his scientific investigations, which, it is hoped, will prove of much benefit in dealing with this terrible disease. Many useful measures have been undertaken by the Sanitary Board with a view to the prevention of overcrowding and for the improvement of the sanitary condition of the native quarters of the City. This question, however, is of so difficult a nature that I have appointed a Commission to enquire into the existence of insanitary properties and to report on the best mode of dealing with them. The matter is now under their consideration.

The Colony is to be congratulated on its immunity from any outbreak of cholera, such as has visited the sister colony of Singapore.

A typhoon of unusual severity swept over the Colony on the 29th July last. It caused great damage to property, but fortunately, owing to the timely warning of its approach given by the Director of the Observatory, the loss of life was not great.

Improvements have been made in the condition of the Tung Wa Hospital. The desirability of reforming that institution has formed the subject of enquiry and report by a Commission. I am in possession of their views on the matter and am devoting my earnest attention to the question, which is one of considerable difficulty and delicacy.