CO129-276 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1897 [6-8] — Page 51

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of life measured, by a gold standard. They, as a matter of fact, cost more than their relative value in the United Kuigd. reason of this oppater value is not far to seek, when it is borne in mind that to their prime cost, must be added the royalty to merchants and others for the transport of their goods three thousand miles away, ae

we are situated, from the centres of production.

6.

your petitioners therefore beg to represent, with due respect, that the principle of compensation, apple as well to themselves as to the other officers who havs been and are still drawing

the allowance.

7. Your petitioners fear, lest it might enoroach upon your time and patience, to bring forward statements, in detail, to show that the cost of living in the Colony is now such more than it has been in the past. The truth of this fact has already been conceded, as can bet seen in Sir Williamndes Vanis dup atch M 289 of 234 December 1889, to your predecessor in offion. 89.90 Referring to that despatch, the Marquess of Refon in his

dispatch 10270 of 28th Avvember 1892 to the Governor was also of opinion that "the cost of living in Hong Kong had -grown very considerably in the case of officios counciled

in the East, as well as in the case of officers appointed from England"

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6. The morcase did not stop in 1892 but has been steadily going

progression rates up to the present time, with prospects of further enhancement in the future. Witness the great inercise in the value of house propertyy.

The Assessor reports in 1896 that the rateable value of property in Victoria has gone up 2744 per cent in 1896.97 as compared with 1895-96. Accepting therefore the more 100 in 1896-97 over 1895-7b. as

the average rate of -ment in the rateable value of honce property in the

Pity of Rotoria, the we'renes for the last ten

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years represents 27.40 per cent. An morease

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