CO129-358 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [10-11] — Page 183

story in "Hongkong.

Enels with

THE MILITARY CONTRIBUTION.

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Rach

Rea 27 NOV 09

From 1864 to 1890 the Contribution stood at £20,000 per annum and in that year it was raised to £40,000.

This was exclusive of the cost of defensive works. Between 1890 and 1896 the dollar fell rapidly in value and the sterling Contribution of £40,000 bore a very high

In 1892 the Contribution was percentage to the Revenue. $267,182 or 12.63% of Revenue, and in 1898 this had pract- ically doubled, being $509,679 or 21% of Revenue.

Looking to this the Imperial Government offered, in that year, to fix the Contribution for the Forces at 171% of Revenue, the Colony contributing separately one third of the cost of new barrack works, and the whole cost of new

defence works (exclusive of the cost of their armanent). After full debate it was considered that this offer was very advantageous to the Colony and it was accepted.

Between 1896 and 1900 however, it was found that the

cost of defensive works fell very heavily upon the Colony. The actual amount paid between these years, in addition to

the 171%, was as follow-

1896

$40,000.

1897

$49,000

1898

$70,000.

1899

$75,000.

1900

$65,000.

The total Contribution in 1900 stood at 19.81% of

Revenue. In that year it was decided by the Imperial

Government that the defences must be strengthened, which

would involve a cost to the Colony of £90,000 for construct- ion, and of £154,485 to the Imperial Government for armanent. In addition, a further sum of £45,000, debitable to the

Colony, was required for barrack services.

These sums,

even though spread over a number of years,

would