CO129-307 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [10-12] — Page 327

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It is probable that the Vote for Public Works Extraordinary will be much smaller than it is at the present moment, when so many Public Works of great importance are under construction. In a few years' time the work of the Land Court and the Survey will be completed, a sufficient number of Police Stations will have been built in the New Territory, and the expenses of the New Territory which have been of necessity great will decrease.

From the above figures it appears, that in proportion to the revenue of the Colonies of Hongkong and the Straits Settlements, the expenditure on special works is about the same, but while in the last two years the assets of the Straits Settlements have diminished by $978,999 the assets of Hongkong have increased by $405,305.09.

But it must be borne in mind that, in all probability a large expenditure in the near future will be necessary in the Colony of Hongkong on account of sanitation and measures to combat plague.

During the years 1896 to 1900 inclusive the total expenditure upon public works extraordinary was $1,945,883.22 averaging $389,177 a year, but if works carried out by the loan be subtracted the total is $1,058,475.03 averaging $211,295 a year; so that the normal expenditure under Public Works Extraordinary can be taken to be less than $400,000.00 Statement II gives full particulars regarding the expenditure of the several colonies. Any further details can be obtained by consulting the Blue Books and Financial Returns of the respective Colonies.

As regards any comparison between the colonies it will be well to take Singapore as a basis, as Singapore and Hongkong are both large ports, they are of small area, and are trading centres rather than manufacturing, mining, or agricultural districts.

In 1901 the population of Singapore was 239,555 and of Hong-kong (excluding the New Territory) 283,975. Exclusive of Land Sales the contribution per head of revenue amounted in 1900 to about $17.52 in Singapore compared to $11.93-1/2 in Hongkong, both amounts being quite reasonable.

The following remarks are made:-

1. Comparing the various items of revenue:

Land Revenue. Hongkong obtains almost as much as 5 times the amount of Land Revenue obtained by Singapore, this of course is due to the higher value of land and landed property in Hongkong.

2. Rents. Hongkong obtains rents from piers, a source of revenue from which Singapore derives nothing.

3. Licences, Opium Farm.-Singapore with a smaller population obtains almost double the revenue obtained by Hongkong. There does not seem to be much chance of these farms being let for higher amounts in the near future while on the other hand owing to a combination they might be reduced.

4. Spirits. Singapore by means of a Spirit Farm obtains almost...