:
HONG KONG
1897.
8
COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.
A considerable development was apparent in the coal trade in 1897, the import of between 700,000 and 800,000 tons being larger than in any preceding year. Prices rose steadily through- out the year and have continued appreciating during the current
year.
Since the opening of the West River to foreign trade on the 3rd June last, regular communication has been established, and it is hoped that this new outlet will, in course of time, prove of considerable advantage to the commercial interests of the Colony.
PUBLIC PEACE AND GOOD Order.
The criminal statistics for the year may be regarded as satisfactory, although they do not compare favourably with those for 1896. Owing to the diminished population during that pear on account of the plague epidemic, tin
sreased population sbree (1895) consideration, and a comparison with the latton ear is theele a more reliable indication of improvement in this direction.
The total number of cases reported to the police in 1895 was 13,376, and in 1897, 9,629. In the former year, however, 10,608 were of a minor nature, leaving 2,767 serious cases as against 2,896 serious cases in 1897. Whilst, therefore, the year 1897 compares more than favourably with 1895 as regard minor offences, it shows an increase of 129 cases of more serious crimes.
CONCLUSION.
There is but little to add to the particulars given above regard- ing the year 1897, which was of an exceptionally uneventful nature. In his previous despatches Sir W. Robinson has so fully reviewed the general progress of the Colony during his tenure of office-financially, commercially, and socially-that I have been content to limit this despatch within the somewhat narrow limits of statistics. I may remark, however, that during my term of office here as General Officer Commanding my observation has convinced me of the Colony's present prosperity and future possibilities.
I have, &c.,
W. BLACK, Major-General,
Administering the Government.
No.
246.
Dix copies
By Book Post.
SIR,
0.
4102
6. 107 38
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONGKONG, 31st Augt,
Ho
-RINTED FOR PARLIA
Colonial Reports anmmal N`2ks”
1898.
474 1
I have the honour to forward to you the Blue Book for 1897 together with
the subjoined report on that year.
FINANCES.
The revenue collected during the year amounted to $2,686,914.70 as against $2,609,878,94 collected in the preceding year and as against $1,427,485.79 col- lected in the year 1887: this shows an increase of revenue during the last ten years of $1,259, 428.91 (or approximating to 100 %), whilst the population, during the same period, has only increased by 35,759 or 16.79 per cent.
The receipts from Land Sales daring the year show a decrease of $46,358,40, but as this is necessarily an uncertain and, in a sense, a speculative source of revenue during any fixed period, the receipts on other more settled accounts are necessarily more satisfactory.
Under the more reliable items of revenue the following most substantial in- creases are shown as compared with the year 1896 :-
Assessed Taxes,
Stamps,
...$26,924.21
36,699.20
Official Signatures,
13,895.11
Queen's College Fees,
3,512.00
Sunday Cargo-Working Permits.........
4,275.00
Postage,
23,336.15
Leased Lands,
24,516.31
Interest,
4,576.84
Profit on Coins,
4,819.71
Water Account,
21,207.41
索
44
There are no very noticeable decreases to be set against the above-mentioned increases except that of $31,688.68 under the heading Fines," which Sie W. Robinson characterised as an unsatisfactory source of revenue, of $3,558 45 on account of Jauk Licences--which is probably explained by lower freights on river stearners, of $5,469.62 under “Other Miscellaneous Receipts" an ever-varying source of revenue-and the decrease of $46,358.40 ou premia from Land Sales mentioned above.
The nett result of a comparison with the year 1896 shows an increase of revenue amounting to $77,035.76 during the 1897.
year
The Right Honourable
JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, M.P.,
Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State
for the Colonies,
fc.,
&C.,
r
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