DECEMBER 3RD, 1896.
THE GAP ROCK LIGHT DUES.
The Hon. T. H. Whitehead sends for publication, for the information of the Chamber of Commerce and those interested, the following correspondence:
THE GOVERNOR TO THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF COUNCIL.
Government House, Hongkong, 12th November, 1896.
Sir,
I have the honour to forward for the consideration of yourself and your colleagues, the unofficial members of the Legislative Council, the enclosed copy of a letter from the Chamber of Commerce suggesting that the Gap Rock Lighthouse rate, which was first imposed in 1890, should be now abolished in accordance with my predecessor's promise, which, however, he stated could not be binding on his successor.
The rate if continued is estimated to yield during the coming year about $65,000, and if this amount is withdrawn from the estimate of revenue for the latter will be exceeded by the estimated expenditure. It is therefore necessary either that the rate should continue to be levied, or that the loss which would be entailed by its abolition should be made good from some other source of revenue.
I shall therefore be greatly obliged if you will be so good as to confer with your colleagues on the matter, and acquaint me with your and their views as to whether it is preferable to continue to levy light dues generally as at present (including the Gap Rock rate), or to devise some alternative source of revenue in order to make good the deficiency which the abolition of light dues would entail.
In the event of your recommending that light dues should be abolished, I shall be glad to be favoured with your valuable advice as to the method by which you consider the deficit caused by such abolition may be met.
I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient servant,
(Signed) WILLIAM ROBINSON.
The Honourable the Senior Unofficial Member of the Legislative Council, &c., &c., &c.
(Enclosure.)
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO THE COLONIAL SECRETARY.
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce,
31st July, 1896.
Sir,
This Chamber, naturally regardful of any question bearing on the prosperity of the port, is anxious to see that no impost levied for a special object should be suffered thereafter to become a permanent charge on the shipping frequenting it.
When in reply to a question put by the Hon. T. H. Whitehead in the Legislative Council on the 8th inst. the fact was elicited that the total sum received as the proceeds of the special Gap Rock Lighthouse rate from 1889 (date of levy) to the 30th June last was $358,521, while the amount expended during the same period for construction of lighthouse, laying of cable, and maintenance was $315,935, showing a balance of $42,586 in hand, my Committee felt that the time had arrived to ask the Government to redeem the pledge made by Sir William Des Voeux to abolish the extra tax of one and a half cents per ton on shipping.
It may perhaps be useful to quote, for the information of his Excellency the Governor, the words used by his predecessor at the meeting of Council on the 11th December, 1882, when the Ordinance authorising this special addition to the light dues was passed. The following question asked by Mr. MacEwen, the then nominee of this Chamber, and the reply of Sir William Des Voeux are taken from the shorthand report:
Mr. MacEwen—The discussion generally takes place on the second reading of Bills, but in a matter of this kind it would be satisfactory to know the length of time it is intended to levy this increase, because, if I recollect correctly, it was understood that the tax would only be levied in order to pay for the actual cost of the Lighthouse and then be withdrawn. Is that the understanding?
"His Excellency—Most distinctly. The cent and a half will not raise $30,000, and I think we will be very lucky if we get off for $120,000. It will be called the Gap Rock Lighthouse rate, and it will involve the special sanction of the Legislative Council, and it will naturally cease when the Gap Rock Lighthouse is paid off. As it is very inconvenient to levy for a broken period of the year, I think, unless there is strong reason to the contrary, it would be advisable to have a meeting again before the 1st January to pass this Bill. If you prefer a meeting at a later date I am quite willing to agree to that. However, as the Council has already practically agreed to this matter, there may be no objection to suspend the Standing Orders, and pass the Bill through all the stages to-day."
The Bill was passed there and then, and, in reply to a request by Mr. Ryrie that Mr. MacEwen's question and the reply thereto should be specially noted, Sir William Des Voeux further said:
"His Excellency—Of course this will be recorded, and I think it will be just as well to mention in the minutes that Mr. MacEwen drew attention to the matter, and that I said that this extra rate was intended by me to be distinctly a payment for the Gap Rock Lighthouse and nothing else. Of course, when Mr. Ryrie talks of a promise, I must say it is absolutely impossible for me to bind my successor about anything. All I can say is that I have not the slightest intention to apply the rate for any other purpose. If a necessity arose for doing so, I should come to this Board and inform it of the fact."
From these extracts it will be clear to his Excellency the Governor that Sir William Des Voeux made an explicit pledge, so far as he was concerned, that when the purpose for which this special Gap Rock Lighthouse rate was levied had been achieved the impost would cease. This being the case beyond all cavil, my Committee confidently appeal to the Governor to carry out the expressed intentions of his predecessor in office, feeling sure that his Excellency's sense of justice will bind him to the fulfilment of the pledge given to the representative of this Chamber.
The tax of one cent per ton levied prior to 1889, and still imposed, on shipping yields more than sufficient to provide for the upkeep and maintenance of all the lights, and the Committee therefore has the less hesitation in praying for the abolition of the special Gap Rock Lighthouse rate.
Trusting that his Excellency will see his way to perform the pledge made by his predecessor.
His
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DECEMBER 3RD, 1996.
THE GAP ROCK LIGHT DUES.
The Hon. T. H. Whitehead sends for publica- tion, for the information of the Chamber of Commerse and those interested, the following correspondence :---
THE GOVERNOR TO THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF COUNCIL.
Government House, Hongkong, 12th November, 1896. Sir, I bave the honour to forward for the con- sideration of yourself and your colleagues, the un- official members of the Legislative Council, the enclosed copy of a letter from the Chamber of Commerce suggesting that the Gap Rock Lighthonse rate, which was first imposed in 1890, should be now abolished in accordance with my predecessor's promise, which, however, he stated conll not be binding on his snocessor.
The rate if optinued is estimated to yield during the cong year about $65,000, and if this amount is withdrawn from the estimate
of revenue for the latter will be exceeded by the estimated expenditure. It is therefore necessary either that the rate should continuo to be levied, or that the loss which would be entailed by its abolition should be made good from some other source of reveune.
I shall therefore be greatly obliged if you will be so good as to confer with your colleagues on the matter, and acquaint me with your and their views as to whether it is preferable to | continue to levy light dues generally as at pre- sent (including the Gap Rock rate), or to devise some alternative source of revenue in order to make good the deficiency which the abolition of light dues would entail.
In the event of your recommending that light dues should be abolished, I shall be glad to be favoured with your valuable advice as to the method by which you consider the deficit caused by such abolition may be met.-I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient servant,
(Signed) WILLIAM ROBINSON. The Honourable the Senior Unofficial Member of the Legislative Council, &o., &v., &c.
*
(Enclosure.) THE CHANCE OF COMMERCE TO THE CORIAL SECRETARY. Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce,
31st July, 1896. Sir,-This Chamber, naturally regardful of any question bearing on the prosperity of the port, is anxious to see that no impost levied for a special object should be suffered thereafter to become a permanent charge on the shipping frequenting it.
When in reply to a question put by the Hon. T. H. Whitehead in the Legislative Council on the 8th inst. the fact was elicited that the total sum received as the proceeds of the special Gap Rock Lighthouse rate from 1889 (date of levy) to the 30th June last was $358,521, while the amount expended during the same period for construction of lighthouse, laying of cable, and maintenance was $315,935, showing a balance of $42,586 in hand, my Committee felt that the time had arrived to ask the Government to re- deem the pledge made by Sir William Des Voeux to abolish the extra tax of one and a half cents per ton on shipping.
It may perhaps be useful to quote, for the information of his Excellency the Governor, the words used by his predecessor at the meeting of Council on the 11th December, 1882, when;
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the Ordinance authorising this special addition 15 FEC 17 to the light dues was passed. The following question asked by Mr. MacEwen, the then nomineo of this Chamber, and the reply of Sir William Des Voeux are taken from the short- hand report:
Mr. MacEwen-The discussion generally takes place on the second reading of Bills, but in a matter of this kind it would be satisfactory to know the length of time it is intended to levy this increase, because, if I recollect correctly, it was understood that the tax would only be levied in order to pay for the actual cost of the Light- house and then be withdrawn. Is that the understanding?
"His Excelleney-Most distinctly. The cent will not raise $30,000, and I think we will be very lucky if we get off for $120,000. It will be called the Gap Rock Lighthouse rate, and it will involve the special sanction of the Legis lative Council, and it will naturally cease when the Gap Rock Lighthouse is paid off. As it is very inconvenient to levy for a broken period of the year, I think, unless there is strong reason to the contrary, it would be advisable to bave a moeting again before the 1st January to pass this Bill. If you prefer a meeting at a later date I am quite willing to agree to that. However, as the Council has already practi- cally agreed to this matter, there may be uo objection to suspend the Standing Orders, and pass the Bill through all the stages to-day."
The Bill was passed there and then, and, in reply to a request by Mr. Ryrie that Mr. Mac- Ewen's question and the reply thereto should be specially noted, Sir William Des Voeux further said ----
"His Excellency-Of course this will be re corled, and I think it will be just as well to mention in the minutes that Mr. MacEwen drow attention to the matter, and that I said that this extra rate was intended by me to be distinctly a payment for the Gap Rock Light- house and nothing else. Of course, when Mr. Ryrie talks of a promise, I must say it is abso- lutely impossible for me to bind my successor about anything. All I can say is that I have not the slightest intention to apply the rate for any other purpose. If a necessity arose for doing so. I should come to this Board and in- form it of the fact."
From these extracts it will be clear to his Excellency the Governor that Sir William Des Voeux made an explicit pledge, so far as he was concerned, that when the purpose for which this special Gap Rock Lighthouse rate was levied had becu achieved the impost would coase. This being the case beyond all cavil, my Com- mittee confidently appeal to the Governor to carry out the expressed intentions of his pre- decessor in office, feeling sure that his Excel- lency's sepse of justice will bind him to the ful- filment of the pledge given to the representa- tive of this Chamber.
The tax of one cent per ton levied prior to 1889, and still imposed, on shipping yields more than sufficient to provide for the upkeep and maintenance of all the lights, and the Com- mittee therefore has the less hesitation in praying for the abolition of the special Gap Rock Lighthouse rate.
Trusting that his Excellency will see his way to perform the pledge made by his predecessor
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