[ { "id": 216766, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-001 - Sir Hug Cough-s China Military Correspondences - 1841-1843", "page_number": 250, "title": "CO129-001 - Sir Hug Cough-s China Military Correspondences - 1841-1843", "content_text": "No. 2. Earl of Auckland \n\nto Sir John Hob \n\nhouse, 10 May 1841. \n\nEncl. 1, in No. 2. \n\nCORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO \n\n3. That movement upon Amoy should be deferred till the general operations to the north- ward could be undertaken. \n\n4. That the Commodore should proceed with all despatch to Calcutta in the steamer; and that the \"Jupiter\" should be sent with the like speed to Cananore, there to await further orders. \n\nCharles Elhot. \n\n(No. 12.) \n\n(signed) \n\n-No. 2.- \n\nH. Gough, Major-General. \n\nJ.J. Gordon Bremer, Commodore. \n\nCopy of a DESPATCH from the Right honourable the Earl of Auckland to Sir John Hobhouse.-(Received 2 July 1841.) \n\nFort William, 10 May 1841. \n\nSir, I HAVE the honour to forward and to request that you will submit to Her Majesty's Government the accompanying copy of a despatch which I have this day addressed to Her Majesty's Plenipotentiaries on the coast of China, with reference to the intelligence of the state of affairs to the end of March last, received by the Company's steam-vessel \"Queen.” I append also copies of letters addressed by me to the Naval Commander-in-Chief and to Major-general Sir Hugh Gough, acknowledging their reports of the operations which terminated in the advance upon Canton, and the placing of that city at the mercy of Her Majesty's forces. \n\nI trust that the observations which I have offered to the plenipotentiaries on the course of the proceedings of the expedition during the present year will be in accordance with the views of Her Majesty's Government. \n\nIn a despatch addressed to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors, a full detail has been given of the measures adopted by the Government of India for complying with the requisitions of the Naval Commander-in-Chief, and of Sir Hugh Gough, for reinforcements of every description. \n\nIt has been my object, in addressing the Plenipotentiaries, to urge them to direct the employment of the expedition with the utmost possible promptitude and vigour, and I heartily hope that the measures to be adopted will be successful in their execution and satisfactory in their results; but I may in this place add, that from the lateness of the season, the limited means at disposal for land opera- tions, from the difficulty of navigation in the dangerous seas of China, and from the stubborn temper of the Chinese Court, this hope may be partially disappointed; and it will be for the authorities in England eventually to determine in what manner and upon what scale a third campaign, should a third campaign become necessary, is to be conducted. \n\nThe Government of India may be able to send some reinforcements of native troops to China, but we should not be justified in further weakening the European force now in this country. One early measure of reinforcement from England appears to be obviously expedient, namely, the sending directly to Hong Kong (touching, of course, for orders, at Singapore) the recruits necessary to fill up their complement, the 18th, the 26th and 55th regiments; I have not named the 49th, as possibly the General Commanding in Chief may have designated that corps, in consequence of their long service in India, for early return to England; and this remark might, perhaps, also be applied to the 55th, which left England in the same year as the 49th; but it is a most valuable and efficient corps, and it might, perhaps, be retained for a service so entirely under the orders of Her Majesty's Government as that of the China expedition. \n\nUpon the condition and wants of the naval force, his Excellency the Naval Commander-in-Chief will, no doubt, have addressed the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. \n\nI have, &c. \n\n(signed) Auckland. \n\nEnclosure 1, in No. 2. \n\nEXTRACT of a LETTER from the Earl of Auckland to the Plenipotentiaries on the Coast of China. Gentlemen, \n\nFort William, 10 May 1841. I HAVE had the honour to receive the despatches from Captain Elliot, of March 24th and 28th, and have hastened, in concert with his Excellency the naval Commander-in-Chief, ta expedite \n\nMILITARY OPERATIONS IN CHINA. \n\nexpedite the reinforcement required, with a view to the renewal of active operations against the Chinese government. \n\n7. The operations of this season will be conducted under considerable disadvantages. The expedition to the northward can scarcely be collected and move from the Canton Waters till from the 10th to the 15th July. Not more than six weeks will remain for any move- ments in the Gulf of Petchelee and in the immediate vicinity of the capital; and it is to be apprehended that after the end of September the fleet could not, with safety or advantage be retained at the mouths of the Yellow or Yang-tze-kiang rivers. Under these circum- stances you will, doubtless, decide upon pressing the employment both of naval and military means with the greatest possible force and activity. Secrecy, promptitude and energy may, even in the short time which will be at command, do much towards displaying the exposed and defenceless condition of important points of the Chinese empire, and carrying a lively alarm to the court itself. \n\n8. At Canton, the season of trade will have passed before the reinforcements arrive, and I am not aware that there would be benefit in re-establishing a blockade of the river for the present, while many irritating questions might be avoided by the continued suspension of such blockade. The possession of the Island of Wangtong, and the presence of the naval force which will be left, under all circumstances, at and near Hong-Kong, will always furnish the means of reimposing the blockade, if the conduct of the provincial anthorities at Canton should \n\nappear to require that measure. But, as it seems to me, the general good-will of the population, and the free resort of commerce to Hong-Kong, may best be ensured by abstaining, while no paramount necessity may call for a renewed use of force in that quarter, from a course of annoyance and restriction in the Canton River, or on the coast of that province. \n\n9. It may be calculated that the military force assembled at Hong-Kong, early in July, will amount to from 3,600 to 4,000 men, in addition to the marines of the fleet. If, of this force, 1,500 men, with the sick, be left on the island, and for the occupation of Wangtong, the protection of these ports will probably be amply provided for. These are points for the determination of Major-General Sir Hugh Gough, but I may be permitted generally to refer to them in estimating the force which may be available for service in operations along the coast. 10. It may be gathered, then, that a column of nearly 3,000 men, including the marines and disciplined seamen from the ships, can be landed for occasional employment at points of disembarkation; and I should hope that such a column would give a commanding pre- ponderance at those points, against any opposition that may be offered, for the purposes for which their temporary occupation would be of value to us. \n\n11. It has been shown, I think, that little would be gained by any attempt to blockade the great rivers of the empire. Such attempts would dissipate our force, and would apparently be ineffectual, and, at some seasons of the year, exceedingly hazardous. \n\n12. What we have to do in movements along the coasts, is to excite throughout the maritime districts, and yet more at the capital, a keen dread of our power, and, if possible, to seize property sufficient to satisfy our heavy and growing pecuniary claims. \n\n13. For both of these objects the assault of Amoy, of any accessible towns on or near the great rivers of the central provinces, and of the port of Tientsin near the capital, would appear to be the course the most to be recommended. One blow of this kind, rapidly succeeding another, may have much effect in bringing the court to a temper which shall admit of a suitable accommodation. With these measures might possibly be conjoined the holding and shutting up the point of intersection of the great canal with the Yang-tze-kiang river, so long as a naval force can be kept at that point. \n\n14. The towns thus assaulted must be held for the time in the most effective possession practicable; and all such valuable property as might become prize by the usages of war, and is capable of being carried off with facility, should be secured. All Government property, which may not admit of being removed, should probably be, as far as possible, destroyed. The levying a money contribution on a town, instead of seizing property, will be subject for consideration with the officer commanding, if he finds such a measure within his power. \n\n20. If the season will not admit of operations before the setting in of the northerly monsoon at Amoy, in the central rivers, and in the Peiho, it will be a subject of grave deli- beration with you in which of the two last named quarters the force should immediately act. There are obviously very powerful motives for making our strength felt as soon as possible in the Peiho; but the question can alone be decided upon your approach to the scene of operations, and there may be reasons which would render the contrary resolution the proper one: still I would say that the movement to the Peiho ought not to be postponed, excepting in consideration of manifest and pressing urgency. \n\n23. Even during the brief period of the active operations of this season on the coast, inconvenience may be experienced from the want of an island, or other post, to which the fleet may repair for shelter, for water, for the establishment of depots, the protection of prize property, and other objects: and as I have before recommended, so I would now again urge, that the Pescadores islands should be visited, their value for our purposes ascertained, and the Chinese garrison expelled. But your most careful inquiry will also be given at every point on the upper coasts, in order to discover whether there be any other island which would better suit our object in seeking a place of settlement and trade than Chusan itself; and if you should not find such an island, then I should suggest that you should, after leaving the Peiho, or otherwise closing the operations of the year, land a sufficient body of troops, say 1,200 or 1,500 men, to retake the city of Tinghaee, and to occupy a position in the neighbourhood, 596. \n\nA 4 \n\n", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-001 - Sir Hug Cough-s China Military Correspondences - 1841-1843.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 231371, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-036 - Sir Bonham - 1851 [1-5]", "page_number": 156, "title": "CO129-036 - Sir Bonham - 1851 [1-5]", "content_text": "Eupport of such an effective Police as may be necessary for the protection of Life and Property, for the Construction and Maintenance of Streets and Roads, and such works as the salubrity and interests of the settlement may require. The Revenue of the Colony, from whatever source derived, should in our opinion be available for such purposes.\n\nShould His Excellency be disposed to adopt our views, we feel satisfied that the community, who are the parties most concerned, will be glad to cooperate with His Excellency in all matters affecting the interests and welfare of the Colony. We have the honour to remain, Sir, your most obedient servants,\n\n(Signed)\n\nDAVID JARDINE. A. CAMPBELL. WAL. DAVIDSON. GEO. LYALL. CHARLES J. F. STUART. W. SCOTT.\n\nJ. F. EDGER.\n\nJ. RICKETT.\n\nD. FLETCHER.\n\nT. D. NEAVE.\n\nTHO. W. L. MACKEAN.\n\nCOLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE, VICTORIA, Hongkong, 14th February, 1851.\n\nGENTLEMEN, I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of Your Letter of 31st January, which only reached this office on the 7th instant, in reply to the offer of His Excellency the Governor to transfer to your management the Police Force of this Colony, entailing no restrictions on such transfer, except that the Superintendent and his Assistant should not be removed without his sanction, and placing at your uncontrolled disposition the same pecuniary resources which His Excellency has himself possessed for defraying the necessary expenses of the Force, viz:- the produce of the Police Tax (the assessment and collection of which was also left to you) and the sum of more than a Thousand Pounds annually out of the General Revenue of the Colony.\n\n2nd. His Excellency had hoped, after what passed at a Meeting which he held with the Justices on the 3rd November 1849, that his offer would have been exactly such as you desired, and he therefore regrets to have it met by a decided refusal. It would appear to him that nothing remained to be said on the subject, were there not one or two passages in your letter which lead him to believe that his motives as well as the facts of the case have been misunderstood.\n\nFirst, Your reply states that the Police Force in 1848 cost £2138, and in 1850 only £1,028. The Enclosure to His Excellency's former Letter of the 10th January shewed distinctly that the cost during 1850 was £3,556, exclusive of the Salaries of the Superintendent and his Assistant. He would have supposed this to be a clerical error, but the context renders such an assumption untenable. The enclosed Paper* from the Superintendent of Police will exhibit clearly the actual reduction of numerical force, and of expense since the year 1848. It represents the number of men and the aggregate of their pay, and omits all incidental expenses, which must, of course, vary from year to year; and it proves that instead of the reduction being to the extent of more than one-half, it is actually no more than £1,029.1.14 upon £3,783.10.10 pecuniarily, and 24 men numerically. The error into which the Justices have fallen arises from their having taken the Contingencies of the Police Department and Gaols for the entire Expenses of the Police Establishment. Enclosure No.1 will now, however, place before the Justices the exact state of the Establishment as it stood in 1850, and its cost, viz:-£2754.9.8¼; and the Enclosure of my Letter of the 10th January will shew that the Contingent Expenses of the Establishment during the same period, amounted to £802.1.1¾—The whole Expenses of the Establishment, therefore, for 1850, exclusive of the Superintendent and his Assistant, amounted to £3,556.10.10,—a statement which is in strict accordance with the Enclosure of my letter above referred to.\n\nPage 363\n\nPage 363\n\nPage 363\n\n3rd. With regard to the exceeding probability of the falling off, in coming years, of the collections of Police Tax, His Excellency can find no facts to warrant this conclusion. The amount of Tax levied in the successive years following its imposition has been annually increasing. In the year 1846 it amounted to £1,688.18.1; and in 1850, to £2,896.17.7. This tax is, however, collected from the 1st of July to 30th June of each year, and the collection for 1850/51 is estimated at £2,910, of which £1,508.13.6 has already been received.\n\n4th. Casual circumstances, of course, must affect the amount of this, and though, if fairly assessed, the relative amounts in successive years may afford a tolerably correct criterion of the decline or prosperity of a Township, the decrease or increase of a single year beyond its predecessor can afford no safe criterion. Looking to the progressive increase of the Population and Houses built, as shewn by Returns No. 2 and 3, as well as to other criteria, His Excellency cannot coincide in the opinion that the Colony is in a state of retrogression; nor, if our relations with China continue as heretofore, does he fear that it will retrograde; but admitting for the sake of argument that it should, then such retrogression, as it would exhibit a diminution of persons and property to be protected, would also carry with it a corresponding practicable reduction in the protective force, and not a necessity for increased taxation.\n\n5th. His Excellency would add, that experience of other places proves that taxes levied by a popular body are more willingly paid than when collected by the Government, and that there is less objection to the payment of what may be deemed necessary by such a body than to that of even a less amount imposed by the Government. So far, therefore, from anticipating any falling off, His Excellency is of opinion that the assessment tax might become even more productive in your hands than it is at present.\n\n6th. The tax suggested by His Excellency to be imposed on Horses, Chairs, and Carriages, was intended, as you imagine, to be placed at the disposal of the Justices for municipal purposes. It is manifest that the present assessment on Houses is insufficient for the expenses to which your letter alludes; some additional means being necessary, no rate appears to His Excellency so equitable as one which would fall upon the wealthier portion of the Foreign Community, who as yet have been called on to pay no taxes whatever on any article of consumption or luxury, and in fact do not directly pay any of the Taxes usually levied elsewhere. You will gather from this that His Excellency does not regard the Crown Rent paid upon landed property in the light of a tax—this being due under an agreement voluntarily undertaken by the original purchasers of lots.\n\nIn the Colony it has been his constant endeavour to remove any visible cause of complaint—for purposes of cooperation and control, two of your own body, selected by yourselves, have been introduced into the Legislative Council; a Bench of Magistrates, perfectly independent of the Government, has been created, with Judicial powers considerably greater than those ordinarily accorded to bodies similarly constituted; the petty sources of Revenue alleged to be oppressive, have been almost all abolished; and for the consideration of the chief source which was alleged to be oppressive, a Committee of five was appointed, of which two were members of the mercantile Community, and their report has been duly forwarded to Her Majesty's Government.\n\n7th. His Excellency was, and is still of opinion that the entire expense of the Police Force should be defrayed by an adequate Police Tax. To this end the tax was imposed, as will be gathered from a perusal of Ordinance No. 2 of 1845, which imposed it. He is also of opinion that the present Force is fully sufficient for the protection of the Colony; this he infers from the fact, of which the enclosed Return, No. 4, is evidence, that crime is far from being on the increase. Hence, at the time that his letter was written, he had no intention of increasing the numerical strength of the Police Force, nor has he now. He admits that Piracy is frequent in the neighbourhood, but it is an evil inevitable from this Island's proximity to a coast along which pirates abound, and for its suppression His Excellency can devise no Colonial measure to which the resources of a Colony of this magnitude are adequate.\n\n8th. Your Letter closes with a repetition of your willingness to undertake the management of the Police, &c. provided a sufficient sum be placed at your disposal. His Excellency therefore requests that you will have the goodness to inform him of the description and numerical Force of the Police Officers you propose to entertain, and to state what amount of money you conceive to be necessary to enable you to effect the arrangements you desire; and as in any other matter affecting the welfare and interests of the Colony, your proposition shall have his most attentive consideration.\n\n9th. His Excellency desires me in conclusion to tell you, that he does not conceive it desirable to enter at length into a discussion of the complaints preferred in various Memorials during the last few years on the part of the British Community.\n\n10th. His Excellency trusts that you will have perceived his desire to admit you to a fair share of the administration of the Colony, and he is not aware that it is in his power to offer you any greater amount of municipal management than what he now proposes, viz: the administration and support of the Police, with the same means and funds as those last year at his disposal, and the sole conservancy of the city, the funds required for which would be provided out of the least objectionable sources by an Ordinance which would be passed for that purpose.\n\n11th. To prevent any further misconception in matters of detail, the Superintendent of Police has been instructed to furnish you with any information you may require touching the Police Expenditure, and if further explanation be necessary beyond what Mr May can afford, it will be given you on application to this office.\n\nI have the honor to be, Gentlemen, your most obedient servant,\n\nW. CAINE. Colonial Secretary.\n\nHONGKONG 1st March 1851.\n\nTo The Honble Major Caine, Colonial Secretary,\n\nSir, We have been honoured by the receipt of your letter of 14th February, in reply to one we addressed you on the 31st of January.\n\nIn that letter we stated briefly our reasons for not accepting the offer of the management of the Police on the terms proposed by His Excellency, and the details and information with which you have since furnished us, have not induced us to alter our views, or come to any other conclusion.\n\nWe find, by the statements you have handed us, that in our previous letter we committed an error in estimating the cost of the Police Force; that the money expended for its support amounted to £3783.10.10, and upon that sum the reduction since 1848 has been £1029.1.1; that the numerical strength has been reduced from 155 to 131—or, in all, 24 men, 9 of whom were Europeans; and that this portion of the Force now numbers only 27 in consequence.\n\nPage 364\n\nPage 364\n\nPage 364\n\nWe still think that we are warranted in stating that both, in numerical strength and amount of pay of the Police, a considerable reduction has taken place. The remuneration too they receive for their services is considerably less than what the same class of men obtain on board trading and coasting vessels—consequently it is chiefly those who, from debility, or from being of indifferent and bad character, cannot get employment in their proper calling, who enter the Police, and living—as a great majority of them do—with or among the lowest of the Chinese, they become, on shore, still more worthless.\n\nA body composed of such materials is ill-suited as the guard of our persons and property—and it is from this cause that the perpetrators of many robberies and assaults escape and remain undetected. We do not consider therefore that the decrease in the number of cases brought before the magistrates is any indication of the effectiveness of the Police. Of its inefficiency there is but one opinion among the community—not excepting, we believe, the Chief Magistrate and Superintendent of Police.\n\nThe increase that has taken place in the population of the City and Island—including those living in Boats—from 29,500 in 1849 to 33,292 at the present time, according to the last Return, affords, in our opinion, sufficient grounds for adding to the strength of the Police Force—more particularly when we consider, that the European and American male residents, exclusive of children, are only 321; that very many of the Chinese who frequent and settle in this Island are outlaws and abandoned characters; that they resort from the mainland to this settlement as offering the safest refuge, and where they can with greater facility and impunity, fit out their vessels, and carry on their trade of Piracy—thus rendering, not only the neighbouring waters, but even this harbour, unsafe to native traders.\n\nThe fact of this place being a rendezvous for Pirates and Outlaws, may lead to an increase of its Chinese population—and even of the amount of taxes collected; but that circumstance does not, in our opinion, indicate the prosperity and healthy state a Government would desire to encourage and foster in a Colony.\n\nBy the Return, there is an increase, since last year, of houses built. But the return does not shew how many in the Town are uninhabited. Several European dwellings we know are unoccupied—and it is deserving of notice that the Jury List, which in 1848 comprised 186 common Jurors, and 47 Special (including Foreigners)—with a qualification of $1000 for the former—contains this year only 69 Common Jurors and 26 Special (including Foreigners), with a reduced qualification of $500 for the former.\n\nAlluding in our previous letter to the probability of a diminution in the amount collected from Police Rates, we contemplated the possibility of several of the few remaining mercantile houses removing from this. But that circumstance would not necessarily present an opportunity for reducing the protective force—as it is the habit of those parties to employ watchmen for their protection, and not to rely on the Government Police.\n\nWe are as unwilling as His Excellency can be, to enter upon matters relating to the Colony, as previously brought to the notice of Government, beyond what may be necessary in replying to the letters already addressed to us. At the same time—when His Excellency apparently contemplates further taxation—it is foreign to the more immediate object of this correspondence, we must be allowed to refer His Excellency to former representations with reference to the existing burdens, and we have before stated that they fall no less heavily on the community now than previously.\n\nThe £24,000 revenue now raised, is, in our opinion, more than sufficient to defray the expenses of the machinery of an efficient Government, and for all purposes required in the Colony. And we would beg to remind His Excellency that, although the above sum is raised exclusively from this community, the Colony was established not for the British subjects who chose at one time to settle in it, nor for the few now remaining, but for the support of one of the most important branches of commerce Great Britain possesses, the Trade carried on, not with Hongkong, but with the open Ports in China, and for the protection and advantage of British subjects resident at those places. This is admitted in the Right Honourable Mr Gladstone's Despatch published here in May 1846, and it is evident that the community here are already taxed in excess of what in fairness they ought to be.\n\nThe money raised from taxes on Horses, Carriages, and Chairs, would no doubt come chiefly from the wealthier portion of the community. In a tropical climate, however, these objects for the proposed assessment are rather necessaries than luxuries, and a tax imposed upon them would be felt more heavily by others than by those upon whom His Excellency intends that it should fall.\n\nHis Excellency refers to the meeting of the Justices, which, at his request, took place in the Government office in November 1849. His Excellency at that time intimated his willingness to hand over to them the management of the Police Force, provided they, on behalf of the community, would undertake to make good the deficiency—viz: the difference between the amount expended on the Police, and that collected from Police Rates. The offer was at once declined, and there remained nothing for their consideration. His Excellency in his present offer agrees to pay the deficiency for years, and we have endeavoured in our previous letter, and in this, to explain why we cannot accept even of this proposal.\n\nHis Excellency wishes to be informed of the description and numerical force of the Police Officers we would propose—and of the sum we should require for their maintenance. An increase, both of the numerical strength and of the pay, is, we consider, necessary, but to what extent only time and practical experience can enable us, or the Municipal body that may be formed, to determine. We cannot say if the sum at His Excellency's disposal for the purpose prior to 1848, or a larger amount, would be required; but we believe His Excellency has sufficient confidence in the Justices he has appointed, to be assured they would not authorize, nor countenance, a greater expenditure than would be necessary.\n\nFurthermore, the Justices form only a small portion of the community, and the Rate Payers in general are the parties really interested, and who would desire a voice in the matter.\n\nWe think therefore, that in reason and justice, the sum required for the maintenance of an efficient Police—for Roads and other necessary works—should form one of the first charges on what revenue of the Colony, we have said should be considered the assessed revenue.\n\nDAVID JARDINE. J. F. EDGER.\n\nGEO. LYALL.\n\nCHARLES J. F. STUART.\n\nD. FLETCHER.\n\nWAL. DAVIDSON.\n\n(Absent) A. CAMPBELL.\n\nJ. RICKETT.\n\nT. D. NEAVE.\n\nT. W. L. MACKEAN.\n\nCOLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE, VICTORIA, HONGKONG, 15th March, 1851.\n\nGENTLEMEN, I am directed by His Excellency the Governor to acknowledge the receipt on the 13th instant of your reply dated the 1st March, to my letter No. 33 of the 14th ultimo.\n\nHis Excellency regrets to learn that his proposal regarding the matters which form the subject of that reply has still proved so little to your satisfaction.\n\nAs it is impossible to meet your views without either recording your objection, or applying to the Home Government for an additional grant of money, which the recent discussion of similar questions in the House of Commons must have convinced you there is small likelihood of obtaining, His Excellency desires me to add, that it only remains for him to assure you, that whenever opportunities offer which may put it in his power to reduce the expenses of the Establishments without detriment to their effectiveness, you will find him most ready to entertain your further proposal regarding the appropriation of the means which such retrenchments as he may be able to make will place at the disposal of the Government.\n\nI have the honor to be, Gentlemen, your most obedient Servant,\n\nW. CAINE. Colonial Secretary.\n\nTo Her Majesty's JUSTICES OF THE PEACE for Hongkong.\n\nNote—Copies of the 4 Enclosures referred to in Colonial Secretary's Letter of 14th February, are appended hereto; viz:\n\nN. 1. Comparative Statement of the actual Strength and Expense of the Police Force in 1848 and 1850.\n\nN. 2. Return showing the number of Houses, in Victoria and Villages, amount of Police Rates collected from 1846 to 1851.\n\nN. 3. Return of the Population of Hongkong for years from 1845 to 1850, inclusive.\n\nN. 4. Return of Felony coming under the Cognizance of the Police for the years from 1847 to 1850, inclusive.\n\nPage 365\n\nPage 365\n\nPage 365", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-036 - Sir Bonham - 1851 [1-5].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 244368, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-068 - Sir Bowring - 1858 [5-12]", "page_number": 109, "title": "CO129-068 - Sir Bowring - 1858 [5-12]", "content_text": "# The Hongkong Government Gazette.\n\n## Report of the Committee of the Legislative Council\n\ncannot be any doubt. Viewed in this light therefore, your Committee regret to say, that they consider Dr Bridges's conduct in reference to the Opium Grant blameable, though, as they have before stated, they consider his honesty and honour quite unimpeached.\n\n**H. TUDOR DAVIES, Chairman.** \n**JOHN DENT.**\n\nCouncil Chamber, 31st May, 1858.\n\n## EVIDENCE\n\n### MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF COMMITTEE\n\nAt a preliminary Meeting of the Committee of the Legislative Council, appointed on the 7th day of May, to inquire into the statements involving the integrity of the Acting Colonial Secretary as connected with the Opium Monopoly, and held in the Council Room on the 10th day of May, 1858, it was decided,—\n\nThat Mr H. Tudor Davies, Chief Magistrate, be Chairman: That an advertisement of the publicity of the proceedings and of the days of Meeting be sent to one of the Newspapers: That the first Meeting take place at 11 A.M., on Wednesday the 12th instant: That the Attorney General, Mr Hoey, and Chun-tai-kwong, be summoned to give evidence on that day.\n\n**H. TUDOR DAVIES, Chairman.**\n\n### Wednesday, the 12th May, at 11 a.m.\n\nPresent, Both Members of the Committee.\n\n#### THE ATTORNEY GENERAL,-Examined.\n\nBy the Chairman. On what day did Mr Hoey call on you, and what statement did he make, in reference to the payment of certain moneys by Chun-tai-kwong, the Opium Monopolist, to the Acting Colonial Secretary.\n\nAttorney General- On the 23d of last month, (April,) Mr Hoey came to my Office and reported to me that the decision of the Court of Petty Sessions in a matter in which he had through his Attorney consulted me, had been obtained in his favour by Mr Day, who appeared as Counsel on his behalf, being disqualified as Justice of the Peace to appear in that Court. He then said, that he had come to secure my services in future cases, when I was at liberty to act, by giving me a general retainer. I warned him that a general retainer in this Colony I could not take, except on my usual terms-$250 a-year. He then said to me \"I think that is a very small sum, and you have treated me with more lenity than Dr Bridges has treated Chun-tai-kwong,\" I expressed no wish to know what Dr Bridges had received, but he, pausing in his discourse, said, \"He (Dr Bridges) got $400 from Chun-tai-kwong when the recognizances were entered into.\" He (Hoey) was speaking of the grant of the Opium Monopoly. I observed that that was certainly a large retaining fee: but Hoey said \"It was not a retaining fee, Sir; I thought it was so, and I asked Chun-tai-kwong whether it was, but he said, 'No, Dr Bridges taking the money said to me of course that is as a cumshaw.'\" I made Mr Hoey repeat these words at least six times, telling him that he would probably have to swear to them. I can have no doubt these were the words he used.\n\n... (the text continues with the rest of the evidence)\n\n| Name | Statement |\n| --- | --- |\n| Attorney General | On the 23d of April, Mr Hoey came to my Office... |\n| Chun-tai-kwong | I became the Opium Monopolist a few days before the 1st April... |\n\nPage 8 \nPage 9\n\n## Continuation of Evidence\n\n... I should say particularly here, because the late Ordinance for the Supreme Court, which amends the \"Ordinance for Fees and Costs of 1856\" expressly recognizes the principle of estimating the remuneration of counsel, not with reference to any circumstances in particular, but with a due regard to all the circumstances of each case. I do not know whether counsel here see clients without the intervention of an Attorney, more frequently than they do at home. I certainly do not do so.\n\n### CHUN-TAI-KWONG,-Called in and examined.\n\nBy Mr Dent- What are your grounds of belief?\n\nAttorney General,- I believe so, because Hoey had no motive to mislead me when he first communicated the matter. After I had warned him of the consequences, and that I should report to the proper authorities everything he had said, and everything he was going to say, he had the strongest motive to mislead me in the other direction, by retracting and explaining away what he had said before.\n\n...\n\nIn answer to the Chairman, I am the possessor of the Opium Monopoly. I became so a few days before the 1st April. I have no \"Grant\" of the monopoly-no document to shew that I am the monopolist except two receipts from the Treasury, of my first and second monthly payments. I also entered into a bond with the government connected with it.\n\n...\n\nThe Attorney General,- That is a general retainer which retains the Counsel against all and sundry; that is a special retainer which retains him against a party or parties specified. Their effect is however the same within their respective limits. A Counsel who has accepted a retainer and the fee for actual payment is essential to the retainer-is bound to refuse to act in any matter against the client retaining without that client's express consent.\n\n...\n\nIt was not a cumshaw.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-068 - Sir Bowring - 1858 [5-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 288374, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-158 - Sir Kennedy - 1872 [6-8]", "page_number": 319, "title": "CO129-158 - Sir Kennedy - 1872 [6-8]", "content_text": "(34)\n\nAPPENDIX A.\n\nMr. DEANE'S REPORT AS TO PAY OF OLD AND NEW EUROPEAN CONSTABLES. (May 10th, 1872.)\n\nAs to the pay of the Europeans, I have to report that the present rate is as follows:-\n\nSergeants, $40 a month.\n\nMen enlisted in England by agreement, $40\n\nEuropean Constables enlisted here, $32\n\n20 men 1st class, $30\n\n20 2nd, $27\n\n7, $26\n\n20 3rd, $27\n\n20 West Indians.\n\n \n P. C. 76, joined in January, 1870.\n Punishment during 1871,\n Value.\n \n \n Fine, $8,\n \n 64\n \n \n Fine, $1.\n \n 8\n \n \n Reprimand,\n \n 2\n \n \n Fine $5,\n \n 40\n \n \n Confined to Barracks, 7 days,\n \n 21\n \n \n \n \n 104\n \n \n \n \n 307\n \n\n\"\n\nIn 1869, the rates were:-\n\n3 Sergeants, $40 per mensem.\n\n$36\n\n$32\n\n2 Acting Sergeants, $32\n\n$31\n\n3, $28\n\n20 Constables,\n\n \n $26\n $24\n 22\n \n\nIt will therefore be seen that the pay of all but three men has been raised since 1869. The difficulty of apportioning the pay of the old to that of the new men arises from the fact that the new men all had at least fifteen months good conduct service in England, whereas although some of the older men have longer service here, yet their conduct cannot be considered wholly good. I believe therefore that the best way to reconcile the two classes of men would be to leave the rates of pay as at present, but, besides the present good conduct allowances for special services, to establish classes for general good conduct coupled with length of service. In estimating what constitutes general good conduct I would suggest that the decision should be arrived at from the scale below, estimating under 20 black marks as worthy of 1st class; between 20 and 40 black marks as 2nd class; and between 40 and 60 black marks as 3rd class; over 60 marks not worthy extra pay. Scale: 1st class $9, 2nd $6, 3rd $3 a month.\n\n \n Kind of Punishment.\n Equivalent to.\n \n \n Caution,\n 1 black mark.\n \n \n Reprimand,\n 2\n \n \n Severe reprimand,\n +1\n \n \n Fine, 25 cents and under,\n 2\n \n \n Each 25 cents above,\n +1\n \n \n Drill, each day,\n 2\n \n \n Confined to Barracks, Imprisonment,\n per diem.\n \n\nP. C. 76 would therefore not be allowed anything beyond his present pay. By the above plan the old men in the service who are deserving can obtain consideration for their services, and the Government would not be bound to a perpetual increase of pay for men who may hereafter join in the Colony.\n\nWhilst on this point I may observe, that besides their pay the men get furnished quarters and two suits of uniform a year; the lowest class Constable gets about $8 a month clear, after his messing and a quart of beer a day have been paid for. The objection to a high rate of pay to men joining is I think serious. It is not for some six or nine months that a safe conclusion can be arrived at as to the conduct and capabilities of a recruit. It often occurs that the conduct of a man in the daily routine of duty is such that no specific charge can be alleged against him, but some occurrence slightly out of the common way happens, and it is at once shown that the man will never be fit for a higher grade. Again, a man may be never drunk or never absent from duty, but he may go over the same beat day after day without bringing a case to Court; another man may be put on the same beat, and again and again will bring up cases that deserve punishment. It is therefore only by experience, after a man has served some months, that a true estimate can be formed as to whether he is really doing service to the Government in proportion to the pay received.\n\nI am therefore strongly of opinion that the pay given to men at first should only be such as will provide them with the necessaries of life in their position. Afterwards I think the pay should be higher than is at present allowed to old Constables.\n\nThe supply of recruits has undoubtedly been materially affected by the falling off in the number of sailing vessels that frequent the harbour. So many steamers now run, the crews of which have signed undertakings for the voyage out and home, whereas in sailing vessels the undertaking would be often for the outward voyage only. For the class of men who can now be picked up in the Colony I think the present rate of pay sufficient at first.\n\nI believe that the efficiency of the force can only be secured by procuring a half-yearly supply of recruits from England.\n\n \n P. C. 11, joined in 1866.\n Punishment during 1871.\n Value.\n \n \n Fine, $2,\n \n 16\n \n \n Reprimand,\n \n 2\n \n \n Reprimand,\n \n 2\n \n \n Fine, $1,\n \n 8\n \n \n \n \n 28\n \n\nP. C. 11 would therefore be entitled to 2nd class allowance.\n\nTo the\n\nMEMBERS OF THE POLICE COMMISSION.\n\nI have &c.,\n\n(Signed)\n\nW. M. DEANE.\n\nCaptain Superintendent,\n\n(35)\n\nAPPENDIX B.\n\nMINUTE OF POLICE SCHOOL COMMITTEE,\n\nCENTRAL POLICE STATION,\n\nDecember 27th, 1870.\n\nAfter the 1st January, 1871, no one will be admitted into the Police Force who cannot read, write, and use the first four rules of Arithmetic. Certificates of scholarship will be granted to Police Constables with a view to their promotion in the Force, and promotion will not, as a general rule, be granted except to the holders of such certificates.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-158 - Sir Kennedy - 1872 [6-8].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 291588, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-164 - Sir Kennedy - 1873 [7-9]", "page_number": 267, "title": "CO129-164 - Sir Kennedy - 1873 [7-9]", "content_text": "# APPENDIX A.\n\n## Mr. DEANE'S REPORT AS TO PAY OF OLD AND NEW EUROPEAN CONSTABLES. (May 10th, 1872.)\n\nAs to the pay of the Europeans, I have to report that the present rate is as follows:\n\n| Category | Pay |\n| --- | --- |\n| Sergeants | $40 a month |\n| Men enlisted in England by agreement | $40 |\n| European Constables enlisted here | $32 |\n| 20 men 1st class | $30 |\n| 33 | $26 |\n| 20 2nd | $27 |\n| 1 | |\n| 20 West Indians | |\n\nP. C. 76, joined in January, 1870. Punishment during 1871.\n\n| Punishment | Value |\n| --- | --- |\n| Fine, $8 | 64 |\n| Fine, $1 | 8 |\n| Reprimand | 2 |\n| Fine $5 | 40 |\n| Confined to Barracks, 7 days | 21 |\n\nIn 1869, the rates were:\n\n| Category | Pay |\n| --- | --- |\n| 3 Sergeants | $40 per mensem |\n| 2 | $36 |\n| 3 Acting Sergeants | $32 |\n| 2 | $32 |\n| 20 Constables | $31 |\n| 20 | $30 |\n| 23 | $28 |\n| 37 | $26 |\n| 31 | $24 |\n\nIt will therefore be seen that the pay of all but three men has been raised since 1869.\n\nThe difficulty of apportioning the pay of the old to that of the new men arises from the fact that the new men all had at least fifteen months good conduct service in England, whereas although some of the older men have longer service here, yet their conduct cannot be considered wholly good. I believe therefore that the best way to reconcile the two classes of men would be to leave the rates of pay as at present, but, besides the present good conduct allowances for special services, to establish classes for general good conduct coupled with length of service. In estimating what constitutes general good conduct I would suggest that the decision should be arrived at from the scale below, estimating under 20 black marks as worthy of 1st class; between 20 and 40 black marks as 2nd class; and between 40 and 60 black marks as 3rd class; over 60 marks not worthy extra pay. Scale: 1st class $9, 2nd $6, 3rd $3 a month.\n\n| Kind of Punishment | Equivalent to |\n| --- | --- |\n| Caution | 1 black mark |\n| Reprimand | 2 |\n| Severe reprimand | 4 |\n| Fine, 25 cents and under | 2 |\n| Each 25 cents above | 2 |\n| Drill, each day | 1 |\n| Confined to Barracks, Imprisonment | 3 per diem |\n| | 6 |\n\nP. C. 76 would therefore not be allowed anything beyond his present pay. By the above plan the old men in the service who are deserving can obtain consideration for their services, and the Government would not be bound to a perpetual increase of pay for men who may hereafter join in the Colony.\n\nWhilst on this point I may observe, that besides their pay the men get furnished quarters and two suits of uniform a year; the lowest class Constable gets about $8 a month clear, after his messing and a quart of beer a day have been paid for. The objection to a high rate of pay to men joining is I think serious. It is not for some six or nine months that a safe conclusion can be arrived at as to the conduct and capabilities of a recruit. It often occurs that the conduct of a man in the daily routine of duty is such that no specific charge can be alleged against him, but some occurrence slightly out of the common way happens, and it is at once shown that the man will never be fit for a higher grade. Again, a man may be never drunk or never absent from duty, but he may go over the same beat day after day without bringing a case to Court; another man may be put on the same beat, and again and again will bring up cases that deserve punishment. It is therefore only by experience, after a man has served some months, that a true estimate can be formed as to whether he is really doing service to the Government in proportion to the pay received.\n\nI am therefore strongly of opinion that the pay given to men at first should only be such as will provide them with the necessaries of life in their position. Afterwards I think the pay should be higher than is at present allowed to old Constables.\n\nThe supply of recruits has undoubtedly been materially affected by the falling off in the number of sailing vessels that frequent the harbour. So many steamers now run, the crews of which have signed undertakings for the voyage out and home, whereas in sailing vessels the undertaking would be often for the outward voyage only. For the class of men who can now be picked up in the Colony I think the present rate of pay sufficient at first.\n\nI believe that the efficiency of the force can only be secured by procuring a half-yearly supply of recruits from England.\n\n**EXAMPLE**\n\nP. C. 11, joined in 1866. Punishment during 1871.\n\n| Punishment | Value |\n| --- | --- |\n| Fine, $2 | 16 |\n| Reprimand | 2 |\n| Reprimand | 2 |\n| Fine, $1 | 8 |\n| | 28 |\n\nP. C. 11 would therefore be entitled to 2nd class allowance.\n\nTo the **MEMBERS OF THE POLICE COMMISSION**.\n\nI have &c.,\n\n(Signed) **W. M. DEANE**, Captain Superintendent.\n\n## APPENDIX B.\n\n## MINUTE OF POLICE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.\n\n**CENTRAL POLICE STATION**, December 27th, 1870.\n\nAfter the 1st January, 1871, no one will be admitted into the Police Force who cannot read, write, and use the first four rules of Arithmetic. Certificates of scholarship will be granted to Police Constables with a view to their promotion in the Force, and promotion will not, as a general rule, be granted except to the holders of such certificates.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-164 - Sir Kennedy - 1873 [7-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 301298, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-179 - Governor Hennessy - 1877 [9-12]", "page_number": 426, "title": "CO129-179 - Governor Hennessy - 1877 [9-12]", "content_text": "# THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 24TH NOVEMBER, 1877.\n\nwhen the time comes, from getting from the Opium farmer of this Colony that which he ought to be paying at this moment—a far larger sum than $11,000 a month. It was sold in March, 1876, for three years, so that it will be a little time before I shall have the opportunity of dealing with it. As regards the other items—the spirit licences and pawnbrokers'—these are two licences to which I am giving my attention, and I believe that, without in any way imposing additional taxation, we might be able to raise a larger revenue from those two. However, for next year I place them at figures somewhat less than we will have actually got from them in the present year. And before leaving this question of licences, I may say there is one item which has given me some thought; it is a trifling one, $1,000 a year we estimate receiving from licences for Billiard Tables and Bowling Alleys. A deputation of respectable Hotel-keepers came to Government House, and represented to me that of late years, Billiard Tables and Bowling Alleys had been established by Clubs, a number of gentlemen who join together have a Table or Alley, and where a charge is made for the game, and those people have suggested to me whether their licences might not be taken off, or licences put upon all Billiard Tables or Bowling Alleys where the games are charged for. Well, I think it a fair subject for consideration. The sum is a small one; these Hotel-keepers pay largely in other ways; there is nothing in itself wrong in a Billiard Table or Bowling Alley, and it is a fair subject for us to consider whether we might not, as it were, assimilate the law as regards Billiard Tables and Bowling Alleys, or strike off that licence fee altogether.\n\nUnder the head of revenue, we have \"Interest,\" that is the interest we receive for our deposits in the local Banks. We had, when I arrived in the Colony, something like $60,000 in the Bank at five per cent. per annum. I thought it well to sanction from time to time an addition, as far as it could be done, to the amount in the Bank; and accordingly, month after month, I have been adding to it, and the consequence is that we have now in one Bank at five per cent. a quarter of a million of dollars; we have $20,000 in another Bank at five per cent., and we have in addition to that at the credit of our ordinary current account $39,000 at two per cent. So I may here tell you that, as certified by my Honourable friends here on the left, the probable balance on the 31st December, 1877, exclusive of the special fund, will be $277,300. In other words, you see that the actual balance on the 31st December, 1876, which was $134,000, will have increased this year to $277,000, or more than doubled.\n\nAn interesting item of revenue is that derived from stamps. In the Straits Settlements, attention of the Government has been drawn to the fact that they are not obtaining from the Stamp Law the amount of revenue they think they ought to get, and this has also occurred to the able and zealous Collector here, Mr. LISTER, and accordingly we have devised a scheme by which there has been established an agency for the sale of stamps to the Chinese. This has been in operation for a few months. I am also applying the law strictly to Chinese traders in insisting that they must use stamps according to the Ordinance. I don't know whether this is the first time any such prosecutions have taken place under the Ordinance, but the Chinese are now fully alive to the fact that stamps must be used, and the Collector assures me that by this policy we will be able to add $25,000 a year to our stamp revenue. It has been usual to estimate it at $100,000. The Collector says it will be quite safe to put it down for next year at $125,000. Since I established the Chinese Agency, and enforced existing law, you may have seen from the returns published in the **Gazette**, that the revenue derived from stamps has been increasing every month.\n\nThe lighting, water, fire, and police rates are also increasing in amount. They increase with the prosperity and population of the Colony. There are other licence fees that constitute a good test of commercial activity, those derived from the licences for junks under **Ordinance No. 6 of 1866**, the Harbour and Coast Ordinance. That source of revenue was estimated at $16,000 last year, but it will bring in this year $18,500, and I have no hesitation in estimating it for next year at $20,000. The fluctuations in the junk trade are intimately connected with the prosperity of the Colony. It was at one time supposed that the junk trade was declining, and the general shipping trade also, but the junk trade especially. However, on investigation it turned out that it was not so. The junk trade in 1874 reached a certain figure; in 1875 it was higher; in 1876 it was still greater; in 1877 the increase has still continued, and the revenue from documents issued under that Ordinance will be this year greater than it ever has been in this Colony. Therefore, I think, looking to the progress of the Colony, that we may fairly estimate a prosperous revenue next year, and on the whole, I think it perfectly safe to ask you to estimate the revenue for 1878 at $1,004,240. My Honourable friend Mr. MAY, the Acting Colonial Treasurer, who is a capital man of business, anticipates receiving a revenue of about $1,000,000 this year, and he with me in thinking it perfectly safe to estimate our next year's revenue at a little over a million of dollars.\n\nWell, gentlemen, this is the first time I believe in the history of Hongkong that any Governor has had the satisfaction of estimating the revenue at a million of dollars, and I believe it is also the first time that, exclusive of the old gambling fund, so large a balance has been in the hands of the Colonial Treasurer. I have here a list of the balances of various years, and this year's is in excess of the balance of any previous year in the history of the Colony. You will bear in mind that this is in addition to our revenue of over a million dollars. When we come to available assets for the expenses of 1878, we add our balance of $277,000 to the $1,004,240, and that will give us $1,281,240 as our assets, and that again is independent of the special fund. The special fund amounts to $380,000.\n\nThat we leave by itself. I shall not add it to the assets. I hope to be able to charge upon it, and therefore we may for all practical purposes regard it as a fair asset, but when I state the available assets to be $1,281,240 I take no account of the special fund.\n\nSo far, gentlemen, for my estimate of revenue. Now with respect to expenditure. Some time ago, towards the end of September, I gave to the Finance Committee the trouble of looking over the estimates of expenditure for 1878. It is not usual for a Governor to do so, but this being the first time I had prepared the estimates for this Colony, I thought it well to be guided by their greater local experience, and accordingly the estimates came before them. The only minute I made for their guidance was that many applications had come to me for increases of salary, but I did not think it this year desirable to take them into my consideration, and accordingly I had no intention of having any additions made to the establishment charges of the Colony. However, I by no means object to the fact that the Finance Committee have, in a few cases, given trifling advances to some of the subordinate officers of the Colony. There is nothing of such importance under this head that I need call special attention to it. You have had the details before you since the 5th of September, and you can only say this, that assuming you vote the establishment charges as approved by the Finance Committee, I shall transmit them at the proper time to Lord CARNARVON, but the gentlemen who are recommended for augmentations of salary will understand that no addition to the establishment charges can come into effect until I have received the sanction of the Secretary of State for the Colonies.\n\nA large, but as I have pointed out to you, a reproductive part of the expenditure of the Colony is which relates to Public Works. This has been before the Finance Committee also, though but recently. In connection with that expenditure, most of the items you are already familiar with, but in dealing with them I have found it necessary to introduce, after consultation with my Council and on the suggestion of the Surveyor General, some items which are new. Government Gardens and Plantations is, of course, not of itself new, but I think the time has come when the Colony should deal in a more comprehensive manner with the question of tree-planting. Something has undoubtedly been done in the preservation and planting of trees, but a great deal more requires to be done, and amongst the documents submitted to the Finance Committee by me is a very valuable Report, dated 20th August, by the Surveyor General, in which he goes into the question of tree planting in the Colony. This Report will tell you what has been done, and it contains an estimate as to what would be the consequence of our proceeding at the present rate of planting, and when we may expect to have the Colony properly planted at the present rate. Mr. PRICE'S estimate of the number of trees required is, I take it, a very fair estimate. He says we would require over seventeen million of trees, and if our planting operations were continued at their present tortoise speed it would take us eleven hundred years to complete the work. Therefore, the question arises, how can we accomplish the really proper planting of this island within a reasonable time? Well Mr. PRICE, with his usual skill and accuracy, sets that forth, and this important document of his has already been before the Finance Committee. It will be in print and in your hands very soon, and it will be seen that without any great increase of expenditure, we will be able to carry out his project of really properly planting the Colony of Hongkong. Therefore on this occasion I slightly increase the vote for the Public Gardens. It was $6,000 last year; I propose to ask you to vote $8,000 this year, and by that addition of $2,000 a year to be expended on forming nurseries for seedlings and paying a properly organised staff of tree planters, we shall be able, in a few years, to transform the appearance of this island, and permanently improve its sanitary conditions.\n\nThe Secretary of State refers to the question of the Hospital. You are aware that a considerable sum was contemplated for the Civil Hospital. The proposition which Sir ARTHUR KENNEDY made and which I think a wise proposal—was that the new Lock Hospital, which is far too large for its present purpose, should be converted into a Civil Hospital, and that a new Lock Hospital, suitable for the same number of patients as there are now, be built. That I am prepared to support, and I ask you to support it by voting the sum of $17,000. When that is completed, and I hope it will be completed next year, we will be able to begin the Civil Hospital the following year. I cannot at this moment say what would be our estimates for that next year, but I should say that the cost of the new Civil Hospital would not be more than $40,000.\n\nYou are all aware of the fact that there is a large vote of $16,000 for Police Station extensions and improvements. Originally, when this was sent in, the sum was much larger, but one learns a good deal from one's neighbours, and during a short visit to Macao of two days, when I was accompanied by my very efficient officer, Mr. CÆSARH, the Acting Superintendent of Police, we were struck with the fact that the Government of Macao employed for its water police several steam launches. Robberies have been committed in this harbour by boat-people and the robbers have eluded the water police, simply because they were able to pull their sampans quicker than our police can use their oars. The harbour thieves ought not to have quicker boats than the water police. It is not to be tolerated that a Government like this should not be in possession of the handiest steam launches for police purposes that a reasonable sum of money can procure. Therefore I propose to consider the question of steam launches for the water police, and one result will be this, that it will enable us to reduce our police force. The reduction of the police force will render unnecessary the extensive project that we originally contemplated.\n\n# THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 24TH NOVEMBER, 1877. 525", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-179 - Governor Hennessy - 1877 [9-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 306628, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-189 - Governor Hennessy - 1880 [7-9]", "page_number": 384, "title": "CO129-189 - Governor Hennessy - 1880 [7-9]", "content_text": "C. C.\n\n381\n\n16201\n\nREOP\n\nMEETING OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL\n\nThe following Report, extracted from the local papers, is published for general information.\n\nA Meeting of the Legislative Council was held on Friday, the 10th September, 1880. There were present:\n\nHis Excellency, Governor Sir JOHN POPE HENNESSY, K.C.M.G.\n\nThe Acting Colonial Secretary,-Honourable F. STEWART.\n\nThe Attorney General,-Honourable E. L. O'MALLEY.\n\nThe Acting Colonial Treasurer,-Honourable M. S. TONNOCHY, Honourable P. RYRIE.\n\nHonourable W. KESWICK.\n\nHonourable J. M. PRICE.\n\nHonourable NG CHOY.\n\nMINUTES.\n\nThe minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.\n\nTHE ESTIMATES.\n\nHis EXCELLENCY-Gentlemen, the Finance Committee, in accordance with the arrangement we made at our last meeting, met more than once, and carefully considered the Estimates of 1881. They are now in your hands in the form in which they came from the Finance Committee, and I therefore move that we go into public committee on the Appropriation Bill of 1881.\n\nHonourable W. KESWICK--Before going into Committee, your Excellency, I should like to make a few remarks. They will be very few, and in beginning I should say I think the Colony is to be congratulated on the very satisfactory state of its finances and upon the extensive and growing character of its revenue. On two occasions your Excellency has alluded to the deficits, on your arrival or shortly afterwards, pointed out to you by Mr. GARDINER AUSTIN, I think it is to be regretted the figures placed before your Excellency have not been put before the Council, as I was under the impression that up to that period the revenue had been adequate to the expenses of the Colony, and on looking into the returns I find there was $902,000 expended and $885,308 of revenue, which certainly leaves a deficit of about $17,000, but I find also in that year, 1876, there were $52,000 odd outlay for the Central School site and $10,000 spent in the conversion of Stonecutters' Island gaol into a powder magazine. I look upon these two items of expenditure as but money sunk; there is a good asset in them and they are worth the money paid. Allowing these two amounts and deducting from them the deficiency of $17,000, there would be an apparent surplus of $45,000, as I make out the figures. I mention it, as it appears to have engaged your Excellency's attention, and I think the figures I have written out are correct. There is another matter which has been referred to by your Excellency also on two occasions. On the last occasion when you made your statement on the position of the revenue of the Colony you alluded to the sale of Crown lands: The sale of Crown land, especially in a small Colony like this, is actually selling a portion of our capital. What we should consider as land revenue is the increment of increase in the value of land with the progressive increase of the prosperity of the Colony, I may be wrong in the view I take, but it is a view different from that expressed by your Excellency. I think that land unproductive is lost capital. Land sold as land is sold in Hongkong, which bears a fixed rental, is made productive and brings into the Colony something towards the revenue. Furthermore, that land is built upon and the buildings will be subject to taxes apart from the land tax, and also swell the revenue of the Colony. Consequently, as I view it, it is not diminishing the capital but profitably utilising it. Not that I would have land locked up by any means. Premium can be obtained for it, well and good, but there is also the consideration are not house rents in this Colony reaching rather too high a figure? Is it not our duty to consider the poorer classes? And is it not desirable that building should be made as cheap as possible? Instead of having the native portions of the town overcrowded, as so many are, it would be well were land more cheaply obtainable. These are the remarks it occurred to me to make. There was a further matter. In coming to the points of expenditure, I think it is to be regretted that any sum-for instance, take the case of the Time Ball-should be stated on the principle of estimating the expenditure simply as a lump sum, which is not sufficient. It is not the first time we have had this matter before us, and I allude also to the proposed harbour of refuge at Causeway Bay. I think I said that it would be desirable to see stated in full the estimated amounts required to complete the works, and then if, during the one year for which we make the vote, the sum is not all expended, such an amount as is estimated to be expended should be stated. With regard to the harbour of refuge, than which I know nothing more deserving of support, I think there should\n\nPage 382\n\n...\n\nPage 382", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-189 - Governor Hennessy - 1880 [7-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 308438, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-192 - Governor Hennessy - 1881 [1-4]", "page_number": 428, "title": "CO129-192 - Governor Hennessy - 1881 [1-4]", "content_text": "( 46 ) \n\nIN MITIGATION.\n\nThe Chief Justice referred to the words before the Court as a charge of gravity.\n\nMr Hayllar said they simply put the case.\n\nThe Chief Justice: If it had been a civil action it could have been damages-one farthing.\n\nMr Francis called the attention of his Lordship to the letter addressed by Messrs Brereton and Wotton to the plaintiff's solicitors, withdrawing the letter on which this charge was founded.\n\n\"Intimate and friendly terms with the head of the Government in Hongkong\" &c., &c.\n\nThe Jury returned, after an absence of about twenty minutes, and gave in a unanimous verdict of Guilty.\n\nThe Jury would have to find what was covered by these words, and whether they did or did not contain an imputation of some kind on the defendant. He regarded Mr Nelson's speech as an able gibe. Was that there had been nothing wrong in Mr Nelson's share transactions, either with the late Mr Heaton or generally, and that there was nothing by which they would justify, there was no desire to attempt to justify, there ing rage. The Chamber had also, by these references, embodied the speech in its official report, sanctioned if not adopted it; and He did not know that was a very graceful admission on the part of Mr Francis, the gibe rankled until Mr Jackson, the Bank Inspector, arrived. These circumstances raised the question of set-off, however, to the effect that any individual who takes his ground on the arena of public life ought to confine himself to the arena chosen, and there reply to his opponent; and that the Judge Kenyon was disposed to let them fight it out-a remark which is Lordship regarded as full of good sense.\n\nThe current of modern decisions led to the conclusion that there can be no set-off of one libel against another. They could not read the speech so as to balance accounts in this way; and the speech did nothing to justify the insinuation complained of. It would have been very different if he had said then that there was nothing to entitle the defendant to plead not guilty.\n\nIn estimating damages that might be taken further. I intended it to do so. I made Mr Francis: What I said yesterday goes into consideration: but, as Justice Blackburn had said, though civil and criminal proceedings were similar, even in a case where the plaintiff had committed a libel greater than that complained of, the Jury would not be at liberty to return a verdict of not guilty on that ground alone. In an action it would go greatly in mitigation of damages. It was for the Jury to say guilty or not guilty; the measure of punishment rested where he wished it to do.\n\nHis Lordship said he would much rather not have it so.\n\nHis Lordship then explained to the Jury what a defamatory libel was. The defendant had not pleaded any special plea, and had thus narrowed the limits of the inquiry. It was for the Jury to say whether the alleged libel was a libel, as, since 1793, every Englishman must now be convicted only by his peers; and any one who knew English history previous to that would know how necessary was that boon to the people.\n\nUpon the whole letter, taken as a whole, they would have to consider whether the prosecutor had been exposed to ridicule, hatred and contempt. Was it a libel slandering Mr Nelson, or not? That was the only question they had to consider as no provocation would justify a second libel.\n\nThe Jury then retired to consider their verdict.\n\nThe Chief Justice: A more ample withdrawal of all charges and apology words could not carry.\n\nMr Hayllar, after consulting with his client, said they left it in his Lordship's hands.\n\nMr Hayllar remarked that although there were many courses open to his Lordship, to Counsel there was only one course. He was not in a position to assist his Lordship, Mr Francis twice essayed to quote some authority to his Lordship, and was twice told that sometimes wisdom lay in silence.\n\nTHE SENTENCE.\n\n( 47 )\n\ndegree of punishment comes to, for I am sure Mr Hayllar does not seek for imprisonment.\n\nI think that not only here, but elsewhere, that the libels which form the subject of criminal proceedings should be those only in which there are slanderous attacks on persons in high position or which scandalously affect public opinion; that these must necessarily be in the nature of criminal proceedings, but when they are ordinary defamatory libels criminal proceedings are out of place.\n\nThe prosecution for libel is not vindictive.\n\nAfter what has been said Mr Pitman cannot say that his mouth has been shut. He, through his Counsel yesterday, gave Mr Nelson credit for having done nothing which would justify the insinuation complained of in the letter.\n\nI look on this as an admission which is invaluable to you and should be satisfactory to the prosecution.\n\nI must say, Mr Pitman, that had that letter been written by you without the cause which you set forth, and refer to in the two passages, had this letter been sent spontaneously by you as a charge against Mr Nelson, I should have passed the severest, the most strong punishment in my power under the indictment before me.\n\nThis species of libel which could not be supported by truth or fact shows a malignant mind which should be curbed in some way.\n\nThere is a great deal too much of that species of libel in all society and not less in this Colony than in some others.\n\nBut when you say that, wincing under this gibe, under the pain caused you by Mr Nelson in this speech which has been published and now appears in the official report of the proceedings and in the book of the Chamber of Commerce, which is printed at their expense and circulated by them, it being thus inferrable that the Committee have adopted or approved of it, I can quite understand that you as a gentleman having commercial interests should feel that very severely indeed, nor do I wonder that you should lose that proper restraint over yourself which every man should have.\n\nThe charge baring reference to Mr Nelson's dealings was of the most grave kind, it insinuated a great deal more than it uttered; whilst the passage of the libel referring to the trafficking in shares, specially having regard to the antecedent history in this Colony, was also a very serious charge.\n\nBut you were goaded, greatly goaded to writing this letter.\n\nI am very much inclined to regard it as reasonable that a previous libel be allowed as a set off on a original trial on a libel charge.\n\nBut that is not the law.\n\nThis is the law, that when a man is convicted of libel and has had a previous libel on himself, it becomes a matter for consideration of the Court, and the Court is bound, instead of giving the ordinary sentence which would be imposed were there no such circumstance, to allow the previous libel case as a set-off, as it were, in the sentence.\n\nI feel sorry that this line should have been taken in this case because it is not one for imprisonment.\n\nIn a case which has been referred to, in which a clergyman was concerned and in which all sorts of things had been alleged against him, they found not for him for a farthing damages, and the judges would not have it.\n\nThey expressed their disapproval of the verdict.\n\nIn that case as in this the person before the Court was a gentleman of position and education, and he should have known the damage he was doing.\n\nI can hardly say clearly whether I am doing right or wrong; the case is a difficult one.\n\nThe sentence is that the defendant be fined in the sum of fifty dollars ($50), and be imprisoned till that fine be paid.\n\nI am not at all sure that I am doing right in this matter.\n\nMr Francis asked the Court to allow him to explain that if during the course of this trial he had seemed to be wanting in any way in respect to the Court, that nothing was further from his mind, and that if overzeal for the welfare of his client had carried him away so as to be guilty of such seeming want of respect, he was anxious to apologise.\n\nThe Chief Justice, bowing to Mr Francis, laughingly said, that though Mr Francis had twice flatly contradicted him, he dare-say he only wanted to instruct the Court as to its duty; that was all.\n\nCORRESPONDENCE.\n\nHis Lordship then dismissed the jurors, remarking that they had given the case great attention and that they could not have come to any other conclusion.\n\nSessions adjourned.\n\nIN EXPLANATION.\n\n1.\n\nTo the Editor of the \"China Mail.\"\n\nHongkong, 10th June.\n\nSir,-May I request space in your columns for a statement with regard to my speech at the Chamber of Commerce which was so freely commented upon in the criminal proceedings concluded yesterday?\n\nThat Mr F. Ryrie in his evidence at the Police Court, during my absence from the Colony, and Mr Francis in his capacity of Counsel for the defendant should attribute to my words a meaning they were never...\n\n420", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-192 - Governor Hennessy - 1881 [1-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 336682, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-237 - Governor Des Voeus Acting Governor Stewart - 1888 [1-6]", "page_number": 398, "title": "CO129-237 - Governor Des Voeus Acting Governor Stewart - 1888 [1-6]", "content_text": "# Pateable Value is introduced for the first time, the procedure as to appeals simplified and provisions are introduced as to the numbering of houses.\n\n(Signed) Edw. L. O'Malley \nMay 4th 1888.\n\n## Enclosure B.\n\n### The Daily Press.\n\n#### HONGKONG, MARCH 28TH, 1888.\n\nThe Council went into Committee on the Rating Bill.\n\nThe **COLONIAL TREASURER** moved, in the definition clause, that for the words “annual valuation” the words \"annual assessment\" should be read, and that for \"general valuation” in the same line \"general assessment” should be read. He said the alteration was merely a technical one, and he would have to propose it frequently throughout the reading of the Bill.\n\n**His EXCELLENCY**--I think it would be well, considering that this Bill has been before us some time, to give some reason for the alteration. I am not quite clear in my own mind as to what the difference in meaning is.\n\nThe **COLONIAL TREASURER**-The valuation of a property is simply the stating by an officer, brought in for the purpose, of the value. The process in England is this-a Vestry employs a valuer to give them an estimate of the value of the various properties in the parish. He does so and then the Vestry takes upon itself the responsibility of either accepting or rejecting his valuation. They are not bound by it. If they think it is too low they take the responsibility of raising it, or if they think it is too high they may lower it. Having done that they have fixed the rateable value of the property, which is generally the amount estimated, but not always. They take the valuer's estimate as a guide, and then assess it at either more or less. Here we have no vestry, and the valuer performs these two functions. He values the property and then he fixes it in the rate book at the value which he has fixed. He does in some cases revise his own valuation, but the assessment is that entry in the rate book which the valuer makes as the rateable value of the property on which the rates are to be paid.\n\n**His EXCELLENCY**-Do you think the alteration absolutely necessary? It is always inconvenient to alter all through an Ordinance.\n\nThe **COLONIAL TREASURER**-I don't think it absolutely necessary, but I must confess that while the Bill is in progress I should like to have it technically correct if possible. I do not press the point.\n\nThe **ATTORNEY-GENERAL**-It seems to me that \"valuation\" is better than \"assessment.” If the word \"assessment\" is substituted for \"valuation\" it might leave a sort of discretion in the hands of the valuer which is not desirable.\n\nThe motion was withdrawn.\n\nHon. C. P. CHATER, with reference to definition 2, said-I beg to propose an amendment, namely, that the last few lines in this section \"Such annual value shall include the value of any fixtures or fixed machinery which may be regarded as the proper fittings of the tenement and essentially necessary to its occupation by the tenant,\" be omitted, and the following words from the old Ordinance 21 of 1885 be inserted in lieu thereof; \"In estimating the value of a tenement the value of any machinery contained therein shall not be included.” I know that this Ordinance has been compiled under the careful supervision of the Colonial Treasurer, but in taking exception to the words in question I feel I am acting for the good of the colony, and my opinion is shared by most of the influential members of this mercantile community. I consider if this section be adopted in its entirety it will be, if not killing, at all events materially wounding the proverbial goose. I think too much zeal in the collection of taxes is to be deprecated.\n\nHon. P. Ryrie -Hear, hear; and the words which I propose should be omitted seem to me to have been inserted specially to the exclusion of the words of the old Ordinance, which I now propose to retain. I feel personally so confident that the proposed alteration is a mistake, that I would be more inclined, if it were necessary, to subsidize industries than to hamper them by placing a tax on machinery; for in encouraging machine shops and factories labour is invited to the Colony, which means of necessity increase of population and of the area of ground occupied, and thereby augmenting our rates and the revenue of the Colony generally. Surely then, Sir, it must be a near-sighted policy to attempt to tax these industrial establishments. In fact, I feel it almost an indirect tax on goods manufactured in this Colony, which I am sure your Excellency will admit is against the spirit of our constitution, and I have therefore much pleasure in proposing the alteration.\n\nHon. J. BELL-IRVING-I have much pleasure in seconding the amendment, and I fully endorse all that has been said by my hon. friend.\n\nThe **COLONIAL TREASURER**-This is a most important section of the Ordinance, and therefore I trust the Council will not think any time spent on it is spent in vain, because this definition is the very backbone, the mainspring of the Ordinance. If the hon. member's amendment be accepted I believe Hongkong will be the only place in the world where machinery is not rated. It is no doubt a very important question whether Hongkong should be the only place where machinery is not rated, and I confess much may be said in favour of the view that it should. I sympathise to a very great extent with the views of the hon. member and his seconder, but there are considerations on both sides and while I would refrain from attempting to influence the mind of the Council in any way, I feel bound to state what are the considerations on the other side. There are thousands of people here who, if they thought about the matter at all which I don't suppose they do, might express themselves something like this:-\"Hongkong is a great deal more comfortable place to me with 100,000 inhabitants than with 200,000 and would be more comfortable still with only 50,000. The only result to me of the large population of operatives flocking here to work machinery and every piece of ground being taken up and new streets being opened, would be that I would be a good deal more bustled and jostled than otherwise; I would be living in a quarter of the space and paying three or four times as heavy a rent.\" That is not only the view of the dilettante professional man who comes here for three or four years and goes away, or of the Government servant who has no interest in machinery or commercial enterprise, it is the view, or should be the view, if they thought about it at all, of tens of thousands of the Chinese here who find themselves pinched for room and have to pay excessive house rents in consequence of the over-crowding of the Colony. These are the considerations on the other side. If you consider the matter very carefully, it seems to me it is a choice between a possible injury to trade on the one side and an injustice on the other. It is possible that where enterprise is struggling and can only keep its head above water a tax might just turn the scale and induce the shutting up of some such establishment as our late lamented steam laundry. The $10 or so a month might perhaps just be the last straw which would make the establishment not worth carrying on. But if on the one hand you have a little possible injury to enterprise, you have on the other a considerable injustice to large numbers of people who would be paying less taxes if machinery in the Colony was paying its fair share. And then, sir, I scarcely see where this exemption is to stop. If machinery is necessary to enterprise so are piers, therefore exempt piers; and godowns, therefore exempt godowns; also houses for the godown keepers and the clerks, therefore exempt these; in fact the only people who would be taxed would be the public servants, who would probably be regarded as not essential to the progress of the colony. Finally, sir, your Excellency's contemplated reduction of taxation will probably leave the machinery-using establishments paying no more rates than at present, while the hard-working Chinese population will pay less. The machine using householder will only probably pay what he is paying at present or a little less.\n\nHon. P. RYRIE-If you carry out this principle you should assess all the houses as furnished houses. We have all machinery of some sort, gas lamps, cooking pots, and so on. If you have a factory, to furnish that factory you must put machinery in it.\n\nThe **COLONIAL TREASURER** (reading)-“Such annual value shall include the value of any fixtures or fixed machinery which may be regarded as the proper fittings of the tenement...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-237 - Governor Des Voeus Acting Governor Stewart - 1888 [1-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 364374, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-278 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1897 [11-12]", "page_number": 152, "title": "CO129-278 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1897 [11-12]", "content_text": "149\n\n? \n\nThe principal items, which will probably show a falling off as compared with the receipts for 1896, are as follows:--\n\nLight Dues, $72,000\n\nFines. 22,500\n\nJunk Licences, 4,600\n\nFees of Court,. 2,000\n\nMiscellaneous Receipts, 5,000\n\nSubsidiary Coins, 10,000\n\nLand Sales...... 15,800\n\nin addition to other minor decreases.\n\nThe Government intends to adopt a bold policy in regard to the supply of subsidiary coins, and it is probable that, if the demand for them continues to be as brisk as it is at present, the result may be more gratifying than the estimated revenue from this source would lead me to conjecture. The Government is much indebted to the Chief Manager of the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank for his assistance and advice in connection with this subject.\n\nAs regards Land Sales, I should not be surprised if, for reasons which I have already stated, instead of falling short of the somewhat exceptional figures for 1896, the revenue from this source for 1898 actually exceeded the receipts for the former year.\n\nThe total Estimated Expenditure, including Public Works Extraordinary, for 1898 amounts to $2,770,706. Of this sum $137,830 is chargeable to the Loan, leaving a balance of $2,632,876 to be defrayed from current revenue. This gives an estimated surplus of revenue over expenditure of $61,992. In estimating the Expenditure the rate of exchange, for the purpose of sterling payments, has been taken at the low value of 1s. 9d.\n\nThe difference between the estimate of expenditure for 1898 and the total sum expended in 1896 is $295,796. Of this increase no less than $270,906 is on account of the more extensive programme for Public Works Extraordinary which it is proposed to carry out in 1898, and which includes several works of pressing importance to the sanitary well-being of the Colony and of a remunerative nature. Some of these are destined for the general benefit and convenience of the community. Amongst the latter I may mention the Improvement of the Recreation Ground at Wongneichong, which will be partly paid for in 1898; the extension of the new road, known as Chamberlain Road, at the Peak: the extension of certain streets in Kowloon; and the proposed new road from Plantation Road to Magazine Gap. This road, whilst improving the means of communication between the Hill Districts, will open up several very desirable building sites for private residences.\n\nYou will, probably, have observed that no provision has been made in the Estimates for the new Victoria Road, Victoria Hospital, and Nursing Institute, which are intended to commemorate the completion of the sixtieth year of Her Majesty's reign. This loyal community having subscribed $98,000, the Government, in accordance with its promise, proposes to add a like sum. The Finance Committee will therefore be asked to-day to vote that amount. When the vote is passed it will be charged to the revenue for the current year. The Fund will then stand at the handsome total of over $196,000, and it is proposed to draw it to defray the expenditure on those special works that may be incurred during 1898 and following years. It may interest you to know that I have applied for the services of three Sisters who will be at the disposal of the community on fixed terms as soon as they arrive early next year.\n\nHaving explained the greater part of the estimated increase of expenditure for 1898 as compared with that incurred in 1896, it remains to point out the most noticeable increases under other heads, viz. :-\n\nPublic Debt, $48,970\n\nPensions,. 26,950\n\nPost Office,.. 23,500\n\nPublic Works Recurrent, 10,000\n\nSanitary Department...... 13,500\n\nThe increased expenditure on account of Public Debt is partly due to the contribution to the new Sinking Fund, which only commenced in October 1896, and partly to the depreciation of the dollar. An increase for Pensions is only to be expected as the Colony grows older and the number of pensioners increases.\n\nThe increase for Public Works Recurrent is explained by the general extension of works and the consequently increased cost of maintenance. The other increases are accounted for in the foot-notes contained in the Estimates.\n\nThe following substantial decreases, on the other hand, as compared with the expenditure for 1896 should be recorded :---\n\nLegal Departments, $ 6,600\n\nMagistracy, 3,200\n\nPolice and Gaol, 10,100\n\nMiscellaneous Services,............... 66,200\n\nMilitary Expenditure, 20,800\n\nI have now, I think, dealt as fully as time permits with the Estimates for 1898 and any further information that may be desired will be furnished in Finance Committee.\n\nAs regards the financial prospects of the current year, you will observe that the revised Estimate of Revenue only amounts to $2,446,065. The revised Estimate of Expenditure, on the other hand, is put at $2,590,870, giving an estimated excess of Expenditure over Revenue of $144,805. Since the revised Estimate of Revenue was prepared, the financial barometer has risen considerably and the depression, which was likely to affect the items \"Land Sales\" and \"Subsidiary Coins,\" has disappeared. I have now good reason for stating that the revenue from Land Sales is almost certain to double the amount estimated, &c., $200,000 instead of $100,000; whilst if exchange maintains its present higher rate, it is not too much to expect a profit of 4 per cent from subsidiary coins which, on the total consignments ordered for the year, should bring in some $100,000 instead of $65,000 as previously estimated. This disposes of $135,000 of the anticipated excess, and the remaining $9,800 is more than covered by the balance in hand at the end of 1896 (exclusive of Loan monies) amounting to $13,486. An estimated deficit of over $144,000 will thus be converted into a surplus of $3,686. I am hopeful of even a more favourable result. The prospect may, I think, be considered satisfactory especially when it is borne in mind that over $98,000 will have been contributed from current revenue to the Jubilee Fund, and that Public Works have by no means been neglected.\n\nAnd here, Gentlemen, I will briefly review the position of the Colonial Finances. At the time of my arrival the Colony was reaping the inevitable results of over-speculation and labouring under the weight of severe financial depression. The outlook was anything but bright; business was dull, and the revenue suffered accordingly. On the other hand, there were Public Works of pressing importance to be carried on, e.g., the Praya Reclamation, the Central Market, the Extension of the Gaol, and the Water, Drainage, and Sewerage Works. It was evident that the revenue was insufficient to meet the demands made upon it.\n\nHowever, I awaited the financial results of my first year of administration; and those results, Gentlemen, convinced me of the necessity of raising a loan, and if you will refer to my speech to this Council on the 25th January, 1892, you will recollect that I then approached you on the subject with an expression of regret that it should have fallen to my lot to make such a proposal to you in my first address. Further experience of the situation and a study of the financial prospects for 1893 confirmed me in my opinion, and, in laying the Estimates on the 16th November, 1892, I definitely announced to you that a loan had become a necessity. You admitted that necessity, and in 1893 an Inscribed Stock Loan of £200,000 at 33 per cent, was negotiated by the Crown Agents. In the following year, the unredeemed balance of the 1887 Loan, amounting to £140,000, was converted from 4 % Debentures into 33 % Inscribed Stock, and thus brought into conformity with the 1893 Loan,\n\nThe Public Debt of the Colony now stands at £311,790, the figures over and above the sum of £340,000 representing extra stock issued in connection with the expenses of conversion.\n\n-3-", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-278 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1897 [11-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 365385, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-280 - Public Offices & Others - 1897", "page_number": 232, "title": "CO129-280 - Public Offices & Others - 1897", "content_text": "I \n\n4 \n\nthat the present state of affairs is scarcely less deplorable than that which existed in the earlier days of the Colony before restrictive measures had been attempted.\n\nIf, as seems to have been abundantly proved, good reasons exist why the Contagious Disease Ordinances should be re-introduced into India, the foregoing statements, amply corroborated by the medical reports to which your attention is now being directed, are conclusive that remedial measures for the protection of the community are as urgently needed in Hongkong as in India, and it is the earnest hope of the Committee that action in that direction will not be long delayed.\n\nThe gradual change in public opinion in England, apparently largely due to the startling accounts sent home in regard to the condition to which the troops in India have been reduced by disease, seems to have brought a majority to the side of those who advocate a return to restrictive measures. It appears not improbable that a good deal of the opposition emanating from persons actuated by, no doubt, conscientious scruples will be withdrawn and thus render more easy of accomplishment the self-imposed task of those who are striving for reform.\n\nTo those who deny the right of interference—the result, doubtless, of honest conviction, and for that reason worthy of respect—neither facts nor figures seem to appeal; but it is difficult to imagine that even they, however much they may consider the penalties attaching to the transgression of their code of morals only just retribution, will continue to much longer oppose a movement which has among other aims the protection of innocent women and children from the fearful consequences of contamination, the occurrence of which only strong measures can prevent.\n\nThe Committee are in entire sympathy with a movement which aims at the amelioration of the present existing state of things, and will be prepared to cordially support any steps you may deem it desirable to take towards the advancement of that object.\n\nThat the re-introduction of the Contagious Diseases Ordinances, not only in India but also in the Straits Settlements and Hongkong, is imperative, has been so abundantly proved that the Committee consider it unlikely that the suggestion will any longer meet with opposition at the hands of Her Majesty's advisers. The effectiveness of the Ordinances might be much increased if, in view of the power possessed by even a single individual of spreading infection, more stringent laws were imposed as to the examination and segregation of women; but if the principle is admitted, such details may be safely left to be dealt with by medical experts.\n\nI may mention that the two medical gentlemen already referred to are both in England—Dr. Ivor Murray at present practising in Scarborough, and Dr. Ayres resident, I believe, in London—and would, if applied to, be only too happy to furnish you with any information it may be in their power to supply in addition to that contained in the reports herewith, and would no doubt be also willing to testify afresh as to the efficacy of the Contagious Disease Ordinances in Hongkong while under their observation.\n\nIt is intended to address the Governor asking his assistance in the endeavour to bring about the re-introduction of the above Ordinances, and a copy of the letter will be forwarded to you when written.\n\nR. S. Gundry, Esq.,\n\n(Signed)\n\nF. HENDERSON,\n\nHon. Secretary.\n\nCOLONIAL SURGEON'S REPORT, 1861.\n\nTable VII affords a complete answer to those who think that the Ordinance under which this institution was established has effected no good. It will be seen that during the four years it has been in force 1,089 infected women have been segregated from the localities in which they could convey infection, and that during a total of 30,072 days; for, in other words, supposing that every infected woman could only convey disease to one man during each day she was diseased, we have at least 30,072 cases of disease prevented—or, at all events, 30,072 opportunities of conveying disease have been prevented. The table shows further that the average number of days in which these diseased women have been under treatment has steadily decreased until it has almost reached the minimum we can look for. This proves the disease to be milder in type, and to have been arrested in its earlier stages.\n\nCOLONIAL SURGEON'S REPORT FOR 1862.\n\nI must be permitted to hazard the statement (the data for arriving at which I have given in former Reports), that of the total sick, in all Hospitals in the East, fully 25 per cent. are afflicted with Venereal disease,\n\n.5\n\nSo completely satisfied am I of the incalculable benefit that has resulted to the Colony from the Ordinance under discussion that I shall be glad to see its provisions extended to both the so-called purely Chinese houses and to that still more fertile source of infection, the boat population.\n\nBoth Military and Naval Officers concur with me in estimating very highly the advantage of the Ordinance as affecting the health of their men—of which I have received numerous proofs.\n\nDr. Home, the present Deputy Inspector and Principal Military Medical Officer, who had experience of the Colony prior to the introduction of the Ordinance, writes: \"On behalf of the Army Medical Officers stationed here I have pleasure in expressing to you the great advantage we have derived from the excellent Sanitary arrangements in force in regard to prostitution. Venereal disease, from being, but a few years ago, one of the most common causes of unfitness for duty here, has now become of comparatively rare occurrence.\"\n\nDr. Sexton, Assistant Surgeon of H.M's. 5th Bombay Light Infantry, made the following statement last May: \"Among 427 men, the total strength of the detachment at present quartered at Hongkong, only 4 cases of Venereal disease have occurred during the months of March and April, 1862; that is to say at the rate of two cases, or 0·6 per month. No less remarkable is the mild form under which the disease presents itself; that it has become extremely amenable to treatment is best evidenced by the fact that the average number of days under treatment of each case only amounted to 8·5; a result almost unprecedented in the statistical history of this disease.\"\n\nCOLONIAL SURGEON'S REPORT FOR 1864\n\nThis table points out, further, that the duration of treatment has steadily diminished up to last year. The increased ratio I believe to be referable to two causes, viz.: the return from Shanghai and the North of many badly diseased women, and some imperfections in the Ordinance, which the women have discovered and by which they are enabled to evade the Inspector of Brothels.\n\nSIB,\n\n(APPENDIX TO) COLONIAL SURGEON'S REPORT FOR 1868.\n\nRoyal Naval Hospital,\n\nHongkong, 14th February, 1869.\n\nIn compliance with your wishes I herewith send you the following information relative to the prevalence of syphilis amongst the ships of war at this Port.\n\nSince my appointment to H.M.S. \"Melville\" in October last, 38 cases of primary and 20 of secondary syphilis have been treated; they were all contracted either in Japan, Shanghai, or Singapore, and not in one instance can I trace the disease to infection at Hongkong.\n\nBy referring to the Nosological Returns from 1st January till the date of my appointment (9 months), I find that 43 cases of primary and 15 of secondary syphilis were admitted into hospital, but I am unable to inform you exactly where the disease was contracted; most probably in Japan, as the majority of the patients belonged to the \"Rodney,\" which had visited Yokohama, where the crew got leave and suffered much from syphilis subsequently.\n\nGEO. BIRNIE HILL,\n\nStaff Surgeon in Charge.\n\nDr. J. M. Murray, Colonial Surgeon,\n\n(Signed)\n\nCOLONIAL SURGEON'S REPORT FOR 1869.\n\n**Lately the Contagious Diseases Acts have been brought somewhat prominently before public notice, singularly enough by an association of \"earnest and pertinacious ladies who are banded together with the avowed object of procuring the repeal of these Acts.\" It therefore behoves those who are, like myself, greatly in favour of their extension, and who possess unusual opportunities of judging of their working, to come forward and express their convictions. I need not, therefore, hesitate to record, in this Official Report, the result of about twelve years' daily supervision of the System of Inspection and Control, as carried out in this Colony.\n\nIt appears to me that the questions of most importance to be answered are:—\n\n1.—Does Syphilitic disease left unchecked inflict serious injury not only on the individual affected but on generations unborn?\n\n2.—Is it possible by any legislative means to check the spread of this fearful scourge?\n\n3.—How far can legislative interference be applied to the male as well as to the female sex?\n\n4. What has been, in this Colony, the sanitary result of such interference?\n\nIt will not be necessary to dilate on the first point. It is unfortunately too well known how the victims of this loathsome disease are lowered in their moral and physical condition; how from symptom to symptom they may, after years of misery, sink finally into a premature grave. But it is not perhaps so well known that the wide-spread scrofulous and consumptive taint of the human race is traced by some men of science to syphilitic poison. Nor is it sufficiently recognized how such a poison, coursing through the system, renders the infected person immeasurably more liable to and less able to resist the inroad of other diseases. This is a subject particularly important to the residents of tropical climates; for, could the united experience of medical practitioners in the tropics be reduced to a statistical form, it would prove not a little startling to find how large a proportion of the mortality and invaliding could be traced directly, or remotely, to syphilitic disease.\n\nThat it is possible to a great extent to reduce, if not entirely prevent, the spread of this disease by legislative measures is a fact generally admitted by all unprejudiced persons. A most notable instance of this power was seen some years ago in Malta where, up to 1859, a strict system of supervision and personal inspection was maintained, and the disease was in consequence almost unknown. The system was then abandoned, as it was found to be a \"traditional abuse of power\" which at last was resisted by the peculiar class of persons concerned; and Malta, for a time, and until the passing of an Ordinance, became as bad as any other garrison town in respect to contagious disease. The same result cannot be shown in Hongkong, but I shall be able presently to point out", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-280 - Public Offices & Others - 1897.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 373429, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-294 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [10-12]", "page_number": 159, "title": "CO129-294 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [10-12]", "content_text": "156\n\nSimultaneously with the troubles that developed in the New Territory there arose a much more serious danger. In the beginning of April, the Plague was again upon us, and notwithstanding the unwearied exertions of the Sanitary Board and its staff, it increased in intensity and virulence all through the summer, and has only ceased its ravages with the beginning of the present month. This year there have been 1,471 cases of which 1,415 have proved fatal, the percentage of deaths being the highest on record. Feeling the overwhelming importance to the community of eradicating this scourge if possible, I have watched the operations of the Sanitary Staff with the keenest anxiety. Before the disease appeared, as it was assumed that plague was primarily propagated by rats, a Committee was appointed consisting of the Captain Superintendent of Police, the Medical Officer of Health, and the Government Analyst to wage war upon the rats by poison or traps, or both, and the necessary funds were placed at their disposal. They appealed to the Chinese for assistance and made every effort to destroy the rats, but I believe they were not very successful. When the epidemic was at its height I satisfied myself by frequent personal inspection that the scavengers and the sanitary staff were doing their duty. The streets and lanes were perfectly clean, and whole streets filled with furniture while the houses were being lime-washed and disinfected bore evidence to the activity of the sanitary staff.\n\nYet nothing seemed to stay the onward progress of the Plague, until at last, it has died out in the usual course, having lingered here rather longer than in other cities of South China where no such precautions were taken. An Insanitary Dwellings Bill had already been presented to you. During the summer it has been carefully reconsidered, and in its amended form it will be again presented to you to-day. A return has been made of all the cases of Plague during the present year with all the information available that possibly may throw light upon the causes of the disease. If we can decide upon the causes, no expenditure within the reach of the Colony would be too great to secure the blessing of freedom from such a scourge; but in considering the Bill it is well that you should be in possession of facts on which to form an opinion rather than be guided by assumptions that, however strongly held, afford no sound basis upon which measures should be adopted, involving probably very large expense to the Colony.\n\nI am happy to be able to congratulate you upon the general state of the commerce of the Colony. I have it on most excellent authority that business was never in a sounder condition and the commercial energy of the community was never more apparent.\n\nAt the same time trade has suffered and is suffering from the disturbed state of the Southern provinces, and the prevalence of piracy on the West River. The attention of Her Majesty's Government has been called to the great injury done to the trade of this Colony, and His Excellency the Admiral Commanding on this Station has despatched a gunboat up the West River to protect British interests, but I am convinced that the best protection to the interests of the commerce of this Colony would be the faithful carrying out by the Chinese Government of the Agreement made with Her Majesty's Minister at Peking for the opening of the West River under the Inland Steam Navigation Regulations as first proposed and agreed upon. I have had great pleasure in forwarding the letters of the Chamber of Commerce on this most important subject to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.\n\nNotwithstanding the disabilities under which trade is hampered on the West River, the returns show a satisfactory increase both in foreign and junk-borne traffic, the number of foreign-built vessels entering and clearing being 7,982 with 10,155,993 tons as compared with 8,831 ships with 9,948,242 tons in 1898, and of 55,882 junks with 3,373,210 tons as compared with 49,517 junks with 2,933,714 tons in 1898.\n\nI regret to say that the Police statistics show a considerable increase in the number of serious crimes, the total number from the 1st January to the 31st August being 2,110 as against 1,920 for the same period last year. The returns show an especially large proportionate increase in the serious crimes of robbery and house-breaking, the increase in the former being due to the cases in the New Territory to which I have already alluded. The Captain Superintendent of Police attributes the general increase of crime to the number of vacancies in the Police Force and the disturbed condition of the neighbouring provinces of China. On the other hand, there has been an entire absence of the gang robberies so frequent in the past in the City of Victoria. Every effort is being made to obtain recruits from home for the Police Force.\n\nThe revenue for 1900 is estimated at $3,325,479 and the expenditure at $3,219,859, leaving an estimated balance of $105,620. In estimating the expenditure the dollar has been taken at 1/11. The Estimates have been prepared with caution, and with a rigid regard for economy.\n\nThe various items of increased expenditure will be fully explained in Committee.\n\nThe estimate of Public Works Extraordinary amounts to $331,100, or $163,000 less than the Approved Estimate of last year, but it still remains $96,000 more than the amount actually expended in 1898. The works estimated for are those that I consider most pressing, and the amounts are as large as can prudently be placed upon an Estimate of Expenditure based upon the revenue as shown in these Estimates; but, as the financial statement accompanying the Estimates will show, I hope to have at the end of the current year, including a balance, in round figures, of $90,000 brought forward from last year, a surplus of about $400,000 over the Actual Expenditure, which will justify me in submitting to you votes for further expenditure upon those works that appear in the Estimates, or for such other pressing works as have been approved by the Public Works Committee. The most pressing public work at the present moment is the building for the New Law Courts, which blocks the way for the improvement of the Post Office, a building entirely insufficient and unsuited for the postal requirements of the Colony. The plans for the Law Courts were returned on January 21st to London with some suggestions for improvements. I have written urging that they shall be sent out with the least possible delay. The question of the construction of the Jubilee Road round Mount Davis has been referred to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and, as His Excellency Major-General GASCOIGNE has somewhat modified his views as to the military inexpediency of the road in deference to strong public feeling in its favour, I think it probable that the construction of that section may be authorized, as the objection that prevented my authority being given was entirely military. If those new and important works be undertaken it appears to me that the Public Works Department will have as much work on its hands as can be satisfactorily managed without considerable additions to the present staff.\n\nThe only other item that calls for especial notice is the increase of the Vote for the expense of the Volunteers from $12,000 to $30,000. This increase is mainly due to an increase in the number of the Corps from 185 to 304. The Corps now forms a valuable addition to the effective armed forces of the Colony. In April last the regiment gave timely and valuable assistance, and its patriotic spirit has lately been shown by an offer to the Imperial Government of two officers and fifty men for active service in South Africa should unhappily hostilities be forced upon us. While the military authorities have not been able to accept their services I have been requested to convey to the Hongkong Volunteers the high appreciation by Her Majesty's Government of the loyal patriotism that prompted the offer—an appreciation that will, I feel certain, be shared by every member of the community.\n\nThe following Bills will be submitted to you:\n\nAn Ordinance to apply a sum not exceeding Two million Six hundred and Eighty-one thousand Six hundred and Fifty-one Dollars to the Public Service of the Year 1900.\n\nAn Ordinance to make further provision for the sanitation of the Colony and to repeal certain enactments of the closed houses and insanitary dwellings Ordinance, 1894.\n\nAn Ordinance for the Naturalization of SIK PAN, alias SIN SHU FAN, alias SIK SAI KIN, alias SIN PING KIM.\n\nAn Ordinance for the Naturalization of KWOK YUNG KAM alias Kwok To Kam alias KWOK YING.\n\nAn Ordinance for the Naturalization of HO SHUN TO, alias Ho KWAN YUK, alias HO PING UN, alias HO TSUN...\n\nAn Ordinance for the Naturalization of HE CUOO, alias HÜ SAUS TS'ÜN, alias HO PING FONG, alias HO NAI KWAN.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-294 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [10-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 374051, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-295 - Public Offices - 1899", "page_number": 124, "title": "CO129-295 - Public Offices - 1899", "content_text": "Public Health Dept. Municipal Bldg.\n\nDale Street. Southport.\n\n13 Jan 1899\n\nInspector Joseph H. Dandy who is a candidate for the post of Inspector in Hong Kong has been a Sanitary Inspector in this Department for the last twelve months.\n\nHe has had charge of a district including property of all descriptions, & has discharged the duties of a Sanitary Inspector in a most efficient & satisfactory manner. He is a thoroughly sober & steady man.\n\nI consider him very suitable for the post for which he is a candidate\n\n(Signed)\n\nC. W. Hope.\n\nMedical Officer of Health\n\nPublic Health Dept. Municipal Building\n\nDale Street\n\nLiverpool\n\n16 Jany 1899\n\nIt gives me much pleasure to recommend Mr. Joseph H. Dandy for the post of Chief Sanitary Inspector at Hong Kong. I have had considerable opportunity of estimating Dandy's ability from the fact that he regularly attended my Lectures at the School of Hygiene, University College, during the Sessions 1897-1898. I found him intelligent, accurate & painstaking during the course. Shortly after the course concluded he successfully passed the examination on the Principles of Sanitary Knowledge,\n\nin which he was examined by the Liverpool Sanitary Science Instruction Committee\n\n(Signed) C. Pettenkofer is not the correct signature, the correct one is C. Petronell Manby, M.D., B.A., B.C. Cantab.\n\nAssistant Medical Officer of Health\n\nCity of Liverpool\n\nLecturer on Public Health, University College\n\nLiverpool\n\nHowever, to follow the exact output format requested (HTML using for paragraphs), here is the corrected version:\n\nPublic Health Dept. Municipal Bldg.\n\nDale Street. Southport.\n\n13 Jan 1899\n\nInspector Joseph H. Dandy who is a candidate for the post of Inspector in Hong Kong has been a Sanitary Inspector in this Department for the last twelve months.\n\nHe has had charge of a district including property of all descriptions, & has discharged the duties of a Sanitary Inspector in a most efficient & satisfactory manner. He is a thoroughly sober & steady man.\n\nI consider him very suitable for the post for which he is a candidate\n\n(Signed)\n\nC. W. Hope.\n\nMedical Officer of Health\n\nPublic Health Dept. Municipal Building\n\nDale Street\n\nLiverpool\n\n16 Jany 1899\n\nIt gives me much pleasure to recommend Mr. Joseph H. Dandy for the post of Chief Sanitary Inspector at Hong Kong. I have had considerable opportunity of estimating Dandy's ability from the fact that he regularly attended my Lectures at the School of Hygiene, University College, during the Sessions 1897-1898. I found him intelligent, accurate & painstaking during the course. Shortly after the course concluded he successfully passed the examination on the Principles of Sanitary Knowledge,\n\nin which he was examined by the Liverpool Sanitary Science Instruction Committee\n\n(Signed) C. Petronell Manby, M.D., B.A., B.C. Cantab.\n\nAssistant Medical Officer of Health\n\nCity of Liverpool\n\nLecturer on Public Health, University College\n\nLiverpool", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-295 - Public Offices - 1899.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 374831, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-296 - Public Offices & Others - 1899", "page_number": 160, "title": "CO129-296 - Public Offices & Others - 1899", "content_text": "## Colonial Surgeon's Reports and Related Correspondence\n\nthat the present state of affairs is scarcely less deplorable than that which existed in the earlier days of the Colony before restrictive measures had been attempted.\n\nIf, as seems to have been abundantly proved, good reasons exist why the Contagious Disease Ordinances should be re-introduced into India, the foregoing statements, amply corroborated by the medical reports to which your attention is now being directed, are conclusive that remedial measures for the protection of the community are as urgently needed in Hongkong as in India, and it is the earnest hope of the Committee that action in that direction will not be long delayed.\n\nThe gradual change in public opinion in England, apparently largely due to the startling accounts sent home in regard to the condition to which the troops in India have been reduced by disease, seems to have brought a majority to the side of those who advocate a return to restrictive measures. It appears not improbable that a good deal of the opposition emanating from persons actuated by, no doubt, conscientious scruples will be withdrawn and thus render more easy of accomplishment the self-imposed task of those who are striving for reform.\n\nTo those who deny the right of interference—the result, doubtless, of honest conviction, and for that reason worthy of respect—neither facts nor figures seem to appeal; but it is difficult to imagine that even they, however much they may consider the penalties attaching to the transgression of their code of morals only just retribution, will continue to much longer oppose a movement which has among other aims the protection of innocent women and children from the fearful consequences of contamination, the occurrence of which only strong measures can prevent.\n\nThe Committee are in entire sympathy with a movement which aims at the amelioration of the present existing state of things, and will be prepared to cordially support any steps you may deem it desirable to take towards the advancement of that object.\n\nThat the re-introduction of the Contagious Diseases Ordinances, not only in India but also in the Straits Settlements and Hongkong, is imperative, has been so abundantly proved that the Committee consider it unlikely that the suggestion will any longer meet with opposition at the hands of Her Majesty's advisers. The effectiveness of the Ordinances might be much increased if, in view of the power possessed by even a single individual of spreading infection, more stringent laws were imposed as to the examination and segregation of women; but if the principle is admitted, such details may be safely left to be dealt with by medical experts.\n\nI may mention that the two medical gentlemen already referred to are both in England—Dr. Ivor Murray at present practising in Scarborough, and Dr. Ayres resident, I believe, in London—and would, if applied to, be only too happy to furnish you with any information it may be in their power to supply in addition to that contained in the reports herewith, and would no doubt be also willing to testify afresh as to the efficacy of the Contagious Disease Ordinances in Hongkong while under their observation.\n\nIt is intended to address the Governor asking his assistance in the endeavour to bring about the re-introduction of the above Ordinances, and a copy of the letter will be forwarded to you when written.\n\nR. S. Gundry, Esq., \nHon. Sec. China Association, London.\n\n(Signed) \nF. HENDERSON, \nHon. Secretary.\n\n## COLONIAL SURGEON'S REPORT, 1861\n\nTable VI affords a complete answer to those who think that the Ordinance under which this institution was established has effected no good. It will be seen that during the four years it has been in force 1,089 infected women have been segregated from the localities in which they could convey infection, and that during a total of 30,072 days; or, in other words, supposing that every infected woman could only convey disease to one man during each day she was diseased, we have at least 30,072 cases of disease prevented—or, at all events, 30,072 opportunities of conveying disease have been prevented. The table shows further that the average number of days in which these diseased women have been under treatment has steadily decreased until it has almost reached the minimum we can look for. This proves the disease to be milder in type, and to have been arrested in its earlier stages.\n\n## COLONIAL SURGEON'S REPORT FOR 1862\n\nI must be permitted to hazard the statement (the data for arriving at which I have given in former Reports), that of the total sick, in all Hospitals in the East, fully 25 per cent. are afflicted with Venereal disease.\n\nSo completely satisfied am I of the incalculable benefit that has resulted to the Colony from the Ordinance under discussion that I shall be glad to see its provisions extended to both the so-called purely Chinese houses and to that still more fertile source of infection, the boat population.\n\nBoth Military and Naval Officers concur with me in estimating very highly the advantage of the Ordinance as affecting the health of their men—of which I have received numerous proofs.\n\nDr. Home, the present Deputy Inspector and Principal Military Medical Officer, who had experience of the Colony prior to the introduction of the Ordinance, writes:—\"On behalf of the Army Medical Officers stationed here I have pleasure in expressing to you the great advantage we have derived from the excellent Sanitary arrangements in force in regard to prostitution. Venereal disease, from being, but a few years ago, one of the most common causes of unfitness for duty here, has now become of comparatively rare occurrence.\"\n\nDr. Sexton, Assistant Surgeon of H.M's. 5th Bombay Light Infantry, made the following statement last May:—\"Among 427 men, the total strength of the detachment at present quartered at Hongkong, only 4 cases of Venereal disease have occurred during the months of March and April, 1862; that is to say at the rate of two cases, or 0.5 per month. No less remarkable is the mild form under which the disease presents itself; that it has become extremely amenable to treatment is best evidenced by the fact that the average number of days under treatment of each case only amounted to 5.5; a result almost unprecedented in the statistical history of this disease.\"\n\n## COLONIAL SURGEON'S REPORT FOR 1864\n\nThis table points out, further, that the duration of treatment has steadily diminished up to last year. The increased ratio I believe to be referable to two causes, viz. the return from Shanghai and the North of many badly diseased women, and some imperfections in the Ordinance, which the women have discovered and by which they are enabled to evade the Inspector of Brothels.\n\n## (APPENDIX TO) COLONIAL SURGEON'S REPORT FOR 1868\n\nRoyal Naval Hospital, \nHongkong, 14th February, 1869.\n\nIn compliance with your wishes I herewith send you the following information relative to the prevalence of syphilis amongst the ships of war at this Port.\n\nSince my appointment to H.M.S. \"Melville\" in October last, 38 cases of primary and 20 of secondary syphilis have been treated; they were all contracted either in Japan, Shanghai, or Singapore, and not in one instance can I trace the disease to infection at Hongkong.\n\nBy referring to the Nosological Returns from 1st January till the date of my appointment (9 months), I find that 43 cases of primary and 15 of secondary syphilis were admitted into hospital, but I am unable to inform you exactly where the disease was contracted; most probably in Japan, as the majority of the patients belonged to the \"Rodney,\" which had visited Yokohama, where the crew got leave and suffered much from syphilis subsequently.\n\nGEO. BIRNIE HILL, \nStaff Surgeon in Charge.\n\n(Signed) \nDr. J. I. Murray, Colonial Surgeon.\n\n## COLONIAL SURGEON'S REPORT FOR 1869\n\nLately the Contagious Diseases Acts have been brought somewhat prominently before public notice, singularly enough by an association of \"earnest and pertinacious ladies, who are banded together with the avowed object of procuring the repeal of these Acts.\" It therefore behoves those who are, like myself, greatly in favour of their extension, and who possess unusual opportunities of judging of their working, to come forward and express their convictions. I need not, therefore, hesitate to record, in this Official Report, the result of about twelve years daily supervision of the System of Inspection and Control, as carried out in this Colony.\n\nIt appears to me that the questions of most importance to be answered are:—\n\n1. Does Syphilitic disease left unchecked inflict serious injury not only on the individual affected but on generations unborn?\n\n2. Is it possible by any legislative means to check the spread of this fearful scourge?\n\n3. How far can legislative interference be applied to the male as well as to the female sex?\n\n4. What has been, in this Colony, the sanitary result of such interference?\n\nIt will not be necessary to dilate on the first point. It is unfortunately too well known how the victims of this loathsome disease are lowered in their moral and physical condition; how from symptom to symptom they may, after years of misery, sink finally into a premature grave. But it is not perhaps so well known that the wide-spread scrofulous and consumptive taint of the human race is traced by some men of science to syphilitic poison. Nor is it sufficiently recognized how such a poison, coursing through the system, renders the infected person immeasurably more liable to and less able to resist the inroad of other diseases. This is a subject particularly important to the residents of tropical climates; for, could the united experience of medical practitioners in the tropics be reduced to a statistical form, it would prove not a little startling to find how large a proportion of the mortality and invaliding could be traced directly, or remotely, to syphilitic disease.\n\nThat it is possible to a great extent to reduce, if not entirely prevent, the spread of this disease by legislative measures is a fact generally admitted by all unprejudiced persons. A most notable instance of this power was seen some years ago in Malta where, up to 1859, a strict system of supervision and personal inspection was maintained, and the disease was in consequence almost unknown. The system was then abandoned, as it was found to be a \"traditional abuse of power\" which at last was resisted by the peculiar class of persons concerned, and Malta, for a time, and until the passing of an Ordinance, became as bad as any other garrison town in respect to contagious disease. The same result cannot be shown in Hongkong, but I shall be able presently to point out...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-296 - Public Offices & Others - 1899.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 380603, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-305 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [5-7]", "page_number": 132, "title": "CO129-305 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [5-7]", "content_text": "126 \n\nThe plaintiffs claim lawful and exclusive possession of a leased area for the purpose of searching for and obtaining coral and shells, subject to public rights reserved by an agreement, including navigation and fishing by the public in the waters covering that area. These public rights are expressly reserved by the agreement. By virtue of the agreement, the plaintiffs are prima facie in lawful and exclusive possession of the leased area, subject to the reserved public rights. The defendant sets up an alleged right by custom to take coral and shells from this very area, in derogation of the exclusive right which the agreement purports to confer on the plaintiffs. It is plain that the onus lies on him to establish this defence, and that, in default of his so doing, he must be regarded as a trespasser. The question then is, do the facts as proved in evidence have the effect in point of law of establishing this defence?\n\nI am unable to see how this question can be determined in accordance with the strict rules of English law. For the leased district became subject to English law by virtue only of a Proclamation of the Governor made under the above-mentioned Order-in-Council, while the alleged right in the defendant and his fellows was in existence at the date of the Order-in-Council and for a long antecedent period. If the rules of English law are applied in their strictness, it would seem that the alleged right of Chinese fishermen or of the inhabitants of the leased district—involving, as it does, a claim of a right to remove what is practically part of the soil of the leased premises—cannot be supported, for it was laid down in Gateward's Case, 6 Co. Rep. 59 b, that \"there cannot be a custom for inhabitants as such, to have profit à prendre in the soil of another.\" The authority of this case was recognized in Goodman v. Mayor of Saltash, 7 App. Cas. 633. There, the facts as stated in a special case were that a prescriptive right to a several oyster fishery in a navigable tidal river was proved to have been exercised from time immemorial by a borough corporation and its lessees, without any qualification except that the free inhabitants of ancient tenements in the borough had, from time immemorial, and claiming as of right, exercised the privilege of dredging for oysters in the locus in quo from the 2nd of February to Easter Eve in each year, and of catching and carrying away the same without stint for sale and otherwise. This usage of the inhabitants tended to the destruction of the fishery, and if continued would destroy it. Lord Selborne L.C., said, at p. 641: \"If it were necessary that the class to which the appellants belong (namely, the free inhabitants of ancient tenements in the borough) should make out a right to a profit à prendre in alieno solo, I should be of opinion that they could not do so. Gateward's Case is a conclusive authority against such a claim by such a class, unless made through a corporation under its corporate title.\" And Lord Cairns said, at p. 643: \"I think it also clear that a fluctuating and uncertain body cannot claim a profit à prendre in alieno solo.\"\n\nBut I can discover no good reason for saying that this technical rule should be held applicable in the present case, with the result of defeating the alleged right of Chinese fishermen and of the inhabitants of the leased district. For that alleged right is founded upon a custom which has had its origin and has grown up under Chinese law, and its absolute validity or otherwise can properly be determined only by reference to the rules of that law.\n\nWhat those rules are on this subject we do not know, and we cannot therefore apply them to test the alleged right. No evidence with respect to them has been given on the one side or on the other.\n\nBut we find the alleged right actively claimed and exercised at the present day, and with a history of peaceful enjoyment reaching as far back as living memory extends. And while I lay out of view the technical rule to which reference has just been made, and which I cannot believe to be applicable to the circumstances of the present case, I think there are certain general principles of English law which may usefully and justly be employed in estimating the validity of this claim of right. It is well known that our law, in common no doubt with other systems of jurisprudence, has always regarded with favour the long-continued and unquestioned possession or user of property or proprietary rights. I will refer to a few cases in illustration of this position, where the circumstances have more or less resemblance to the circumstances of the present case.\n\nBefore the Prescription Act, 1832, there was a recognized custom of making claim to easements, by which the right was based upon a grant made and lost in modern times, in all cases where the enjoyment had lasted without interruption for twenty years. Although such evidence of title was in theory only presumption, yet in practice it was conclusive. And even since the Act, if a party, instead of depending upon the statute-law, relies (as he may do) upon common-law presumption, or a lost grant, enjoyment for a less period than the statutory number of years, when coupled with other circumstances, will warrant a jury in finding a verdict in his favour: Taylor on Evidence, s. 126.\n\nIn Hanmer v. Chance, 4 De G., J., and S. 626, which was decided in 1865, the question was as to a custom for copyhold tenants of a manor to dig and remove sand, etc., from their tenements. Lord Westbury L.C., said, at p. 685: \"The law has laid down no rule as to the extent of evidence which is required to establish a custom or from which the presumption or inference of the fact of a custom may be rightly drawn. It is the province of a jury to draw these conclusions of fact, but in several reported cases the Courts have refused to disturb the verdicts of juries as to a custom in a manor, even when founded on very slender evidence... The acts of the copyholders have been open and notorious, and it is hardly to be supposed, if there was no custom, that they would have remained unchallenged by the lord, inasmuch as if unwarranted they would have formed a cause of forfeiture by the copyholders of their tenements, and the lord therefore has always had the strongest interest to take advantage of the acts done.\" And the Lord Chancellor reversed the decree of Page Wood, V.C., holding that \"a jury would be not only warranted but bound upon the evidence of the defendants to find in favour of the custom.\" In Doe dem. Devine v. Wilson, 10 Moore P.C.C. 502, objection was taken to a Crown grant for uncertainty, and it was held by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council that, in such a case, after long modern possession, a supplementary and confirmatory grant might be presumed. This decision was followed in Des Barres v. Shey, 29 L. T. (N. S.) 592, which was also decided by the Judicial Committee.\n\nIn Attorney General for British Honduras v. Bristowe, 6 App. Cas. 143, which was a case of an information for intrusion relating to land in British Honduras, the opinion of the Judicial Committee was thus expressed by Sir Montague Smith: \"Assuming then the conclusion of fact to be established, as their Lordships think it is, that in the interval which elapsed between the retirement of the Spaniards in 1798 and the assumption of territorial sovereignty by the British Crown, full possession of the land had been taken by the devisees [the predecessors in title of the defendants], and that such possession had been continued by them and their assignees down to the date of the filing of the information...\"", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-305 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [5-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 385961, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-313 - Governor Sir Blake - 1902 [10-12]", "page_number": 41, "title": "CO129-313 - Governor Sir Blake - 1902 [10-12]", "content_text": "I am sending home a letter on Kehalf 9.\n\nThe Revenue has been noticeable in the look of the art as I want it to be.\n\nFord was my far-sighted choice.\n\nI had told Fletcher that an appointment would be made from outside, for a man of sufficient calibre to attract attention.\n\nHe has canvassed, but should promotion be given to Fletcher, the officials would be troublesome to appoint a man from outside.\n\nIf the salary is too much for the post, it would be better to cut it back to the former figure than to fat... \n\nThe Legislative Council meets on Thursday, and the Estimating Committee will be examining the estimates.\n\nBotania department has provided \"possible\" salary that ought to be considered by me from the left. \n\n...of his clause of the post it ought to be cut. \nI do wish... \nbut I do not...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-313 - Governor Sir Blake - 1902 [10-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 418208, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-354 - Public Offices & Others - 1908", "page_number": 158, "title": "CO129-354 - Public Offices & Others - 1908", "content_text": "which has been prepared partly in this Dept and \n\npartly by the Secretary \n\nto the Colonial \n\nDefence Committee from \n\nReturns of \n\nNaval \n\nthe Annual \n\n+ Military \n\nsources \n\nI also transmit \n\na \n\ncopy of a \n\nletter to \n\nJacome \n\noffice \n\nand \n\nA \n\nthe War \n\nOffice, and \n\nawaiting particulars of \n\nthe Military Contributions and \n\nthe cost \n\nof \n\nthe \n\ngarrison of Ceylon \n\nMauritius; the Strait \n\nSettlements Hongkong \n\n(so far \n\nas possible) \n\n+ No 45136 \n\nrequest for returns \n\n157 \n\nof Estimating the cost \n\nof the military \n\nexpenditure \n\nof \n\nthose \n\nGovernments which \n\nprovide their \n\ndefences \n\netc. \n\nadded but cover the \n\ncost of medical, \n\ntransport (land + sea), works \n\nand other \n\nall \n\ncharges \n\nservices borne by \n\n#No 11471 \n\nthe \n\nduring the last ten \n\nthat I am not at present \n\n3. With regard \n\nto your suggestion \n\nin a position \n\nto comply with your \n\nrequest \n\nin a \n\nshort time \n\nCivil Establishment \n\nvotes, I would observe \n\nthat in Colonial \n\naccounts the sea \n\ntransport of \n\ntroops is \n\nusually \n\nshown \n\nincluded \n\nin their cost as \n\nServices to the Stores \n\nof military Expenditure", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-354 - Public Offices & Others - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 431852, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-378 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [6-7]", "page_number": 60, "title": "CO129-378 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [6-7]", "content_text": "# HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL\n## PRESENT: 1ST JUNE, 1911.\n\n**PRESENT:**\n- HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR, SIR FREDERICK J. DEALTRY LUGARD, K.C.M.G., C.B., D.S.O.\n- COLONEL C. W. R. ST. JOHN, R.E. (THE OFFICER COMMANDING THE TROOPS)\n- HON. MR. CLEMENTI (Colonial Secretary)\n- HON. MR. C. G. ALABASTER (Attorney-General)\n- HON. MR. A. M. THOMSON (Colonial Treasurer)\n- HON. MR. W. CHATHAM, C.M.G. (Director of Public Works)\n- HON. MR. A. W. BREWIN (Registrar General)\n- HON. CAPTAIN F. W. LYONS (Captain-Superintendent of Police)\n- HON. DR. HO KAI, M.B., C.M.G.\n- HON. MR. WEI YUK, C.M.G.\n- HON. MR. H. E. POLLOCK, K.C.\n- HON. MR. E. A. HEWETT\n- HON. MR. C. MONTAGUE EDE\n- HON. MR. C. H. ROSS\n- MR. R. H. CROFTON (Clerk of Councils)\n\n## Papers\nTHE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the following papers: Sessional paper No. 6; Report of the Post Office; and Report of the Director of Education.\n\nTHE ATTORNEY-GENERAL, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the Report of the proceedings of the Standing Law Committee.\n\n## Minutes\nThe minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.\n\n## Financial\nTHE COLONIAL SECRETARY--Your Excellency has directed me not to lay on the table to-day the financial minutes which appear as the first item under the head \"Business\" in the Agenda list, because you think it will be a convenience to hon. members if in future financial minutes are presented in the form of quarterly schedules. The Finance Committee will therefore in future be called together only once a quarter instead of as at present after almost every meeting of the Council. That is the practice elsewhere, and will, I hope, commend itself to hon. members.\n\n## The Military Contribution\nHON. MR. EDE moved the following resolution standing in his name: \"That it is desirable that the Military Contribution should be fixed at the annual sum of One million Dollars ($1,000,000).\"\n\nIn doing so he said: Your Excellency, The unofficial members of this Council are unanimous in the opinion that this question should be brought up for debate at this time, viz., before the Imperial Conference closes. I fully realize that the question of the Military Contribution is a knotty and much debated one, but in moving the motion I am encouraged by your Excellency's attitude as shown in the debate of the 24th September, 1908. You there stated that you approached the matter of the Military Contribution with an open mind, possibly with a bias in favour of the view that the Contribution weighed too heavily, and that you were fully prepared, if your examination of the matter should confirm that view, to appeal to the Imperial Authorities for its reduction. That statement warrants that if it can be shown by reasoned argument that the Contribution at present paid by the Colony falls unnecessarily heavily on the taxpayer, relief may be counted upon. The following factors affect the question: (1) The ratio of taxation at present levied. (2) The cost of Defence of Trade and Property.\n\nIt has been stated, and is believed by a section of the community, that we are more lightly taxed than residents at Home, and I deem that the time has arrived when this statement, which has for so long passed current for truth, should be disproved. I preface my remarks by saying I have studied all available statistics fairly fully. I have examined the incidence of taxation on different classes of the population, but I have discovered it to be impossible by this means to arrive at any tangible result either for or against the argument for a reduction.\n\nI propose therefore to treat the whole question from the point of view of the Law of Average, a very simple law and easily understood by the people. Following this law, to arrive at the burden of taxation per head, one must divide the Revenue by the population. The Gross Revenue of Great Britain in the year 1909, for which full statistics are available, was Imperial £153,000,000, Municipal £163,000,000, or, in all, £316,000,000, the population in the same year being estimated at 46,000,000, or a taxation of £6. 17s. per head.\n\nThe Gross Revenue of this Colony in the same year amounted to $6,800,000, while the population here and in the New Territory was 429,000 (not 129,000), or, say, $16 per head, which translated into sterling equals £1 9s., or rather less than one-fifth of the taxation per capita at Home. This at first sight appears to support the contention of those who believe that we are too lightly taxed, but the most important factor has yet to be reckoned with, and that is the ability of the taxpayer to stand the burden of taxation.\n\nIt is very difficult to arrive at the average wealth of the individual in Great Britain. At first sight, the income tax collected would seem to give one a fair indication, but this is misleading, in so far as many below a certain figure per annum pay no income tax at all, and various books of statistics differ as to what proportion this class is to the whole.\n\nAnother method of estimating the average wealth per head is to take the gross income brought under review of the Department, which in 1908-9—the latest available—was £1,009,000,000 sterling; but even this method is faulty by reason of the factor that it still excludes a large percentage of the population whose incomes are not brought under review at all, and one must perforce look elsewhere for more exact figures.\n\nIn L. G. Chiozza Money's book, \"Riches and Poverty,\" published in 1904, one finds that the national income of the United Kingdom in 1903 was estimated at £1,710,000,000 sterling, but this figure has been challenged by an authority who is more widely known and accepted, viz., A. L. Bowley, who in his notes on the Report of the Royal Commission on the Poor Laws and Relief of Distress, as well as in his book, \"National Progress in Wealth and Trade,\" places the figures at £2,000,000,000 annually. He arrives at this by dividing the national income into four groups: (1) The part received as wages, (2) the part under review of the Inland Revenue Department, (3) the sum of money which is earned as salaries too small to be considered by the income tax collectors, and (4) the profits from investments abroad and businesses at Home which in part escape the tax gatherer, though legally liable.\n\nThis estimate, which was made in 1904, has not since been challenged. It is true that the population of Great Britain has increased since that date, but the average rate of wages has not risen, and although it may be possible, or even probable, that the sum given by Bowley has grown to a larger figure between 1904 and 1909, it is quite impossible to make an estimate which is not open to be at once challenged, and I therefore take the actual figures given, viz., £2,000,000,000 annually, as representing the total income of the population of the United Kingdom in 1909.\n\nWhat, therefore, was the capital value of property to produce that income? I can speak personally of sterling investments on a fairly large scale, and my experience, which coincides with that of many others in important commercial positions, shows that the average rate of interest is rather under three per cent., but as I am anxious that no taint of special pleading shall characterise this argument, I have put down the average rate of interest at four per cent., or 25 per cent. higher than that obtainable for well-invested money. This shows that the capital value of privately-owned property in the United Kingdom is £50,000,000,000 sterling. Divide by the population, and it gives a per capita wealth of £1,090 per head.\n\nThe value of property in this Colony is not even as easy to arrive at, but a fair estimate sets it down at $275,000,000, which is the equivalent of £25,000,000, or, say, £60 per head, as against £1,090 per head at Home. It follows, therefore, that the average wealth of an individual in this Colony is one-eighteenth of that of an individual at Home, so that although we pay taxes of £1. 9s. per head, or, as I said earlier, about one-fifth that paid per unit in the United Kingdom, this sum is paid out of... \n\nPage 102\nPage 103", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-378 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [6-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 468858, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-444 - Governor Sir May & Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1917 [10-12]", "page_number": 78, "title": "CO129-444 - Governor Sir May & Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1917 [10-12]", "content_text": "93\n\nHONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL\n\nThese works will result in a good broad road being in existence at the end of next year from Kowloon by Castle Peak and Fanling back to Kowloon, a distance of over sixty miles. It is expected that much development will take place in consequence both for residential and agricultural purposes. The road from San Tin to Lok Ma Chau Police Station will be useful for police administration, the present path being narrow and liable to flooding.\n\nUnder Drainage a sum of $20,000 has been provided for drains in connection with building operations, and a sum of $27,000 is entered for water mains at Shanshuipo.\n\nIn the Post Office under Other Charges the abolition of sea sorting on board P. & O. packets has reduced the share of the Mail Subsidy by £600; this is still further reduced by higher exchange and a saving of $10,640 is shown. It is estimated that higher exchange will also result in a saving of $25,000 in Transit Charges. There are increases in Coal and other items amounting to $3,050, but against these are set decreases of $500 and $1,400 in Stamps and Incidental Expenses, respectively. The vote for Stores, D'Aguilar Radio Telegraph Station, was over-estimated last year and has been reduced by $5,435.\n\nIn the Kowloon-Canton Railway, under General Charges, Personal Emoluments, it will be noticed that the post of Inspector of Station Accounts has been abolished. Under Maintenance of Way Works and Stations, Other Charges, there are increases of $350 for Fastenings, $225 for Points and Crossings, $150 for Roads and Crossings, and $2,400 for Sleepers, as it is anticipated that a large number of renewals will be required next year. Against these are set decreases of $700 in Ballast, $2,200 in Bridges and Tunnels which have undergone biennial repairs and renovation this year, $250 in Maintenance of Signals, $75 in Plantations, $650 in Repairs Staff Quarters and $1,050 in Repairs of Station Buildings, so that the total Other Charges has been reduced by a sum of $1,500. Under Locomotive, Carriages and Wagon Expenses, Personal Emoluments, there are several small additions to the staff, which are set out in Appendix III. Under Other Charges there is a large increase of $32,000 for Coal which has been reduced from 7,000 to 6,000 tons in quantity. There are, however, reductions in other votes which bring the net increase to a sum of $29,328.\n\nUnder Traffic Expenses, Personal Emoluments, the post of Head Guard has been abolished and a new post of Station Inspector has been created with a view to the better supervision of Chinese Station Masters. One 6th Grade Telephone Clerk has been added for night duty. \"Other Charges\" have been reduced by $4,801 in all, the Commission on the Transport of Goods amounting to $3,000 being deducted before estimating revenue.\n\nCoal for the Fanling Branch Line is estimated to cost $1,750 more and the votes for Fastenings and Sleepers have also been increased. Other items have been reduced so that the net increase is $1,895. I regret that this Branch Line shows no sign of being able to pay its way. The estimated revenue for 1918 is only $10,100 and the estimated cost is $13,898. It may be necessary to close the line unless its productiveness increases.\n\nUnder Special Expenditure a vote of $3,000 is inserted for a Motor Trolley for the better supervision of the track by the Engineer of Way Works and Stations. A re-vote of $60,000 is included for the platform awnings. The erection of these has been much delayed by the difficulty experienced in obtaining the necessary steel work from England. Votes amounting to $12,985 are included for other constructional works. The huts for pointsmen and gatemen are considered necessary, as these men have to be out at all times and in all weathers. The vote for New Fencing is required as the wooden fencing which has not been renewed since the commencement of the railway now requires renewal. It is considered necessary to provide quarters at Lo Wu for the staff at Sham Chun Station, as there is no living accommodation for them there and it is considered desirable that the staff should live in British territory. The pipe line at Taipo requires complete renewal, as it has been found to be much corroded and choked up. Improvements are required to the approach road to Yaumati necessitated by an increase in vehicular traffic at that station, while the vote for Roads and Crossings is required owing to the greater use that is now made of these crossings.\n\nUnder the heading Charge on account of the Public Debt a considerable saving is shown in the Interest on the Consolidated Inscribed Stock, the Crown Agents' Charges and in the Sinking Fund, amounting in all to $29,137, which is due to higher exchange. The vote of $10,000 for Service of the War Loan is not required.\n\nHONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL\n\n94\n\na sum of over £13,000 and have expended locally for the working parties and in other ways a sum of $81,030.\n\nThe Jockey Club sent to St. Dunstan's Hospital a sum of £3,900 and £100 to the Blue Cross Society, while the St. Andrew's Society and the Masonic Bodies have also remitted large sums.\n\nThere is a decrease of $6,070 under Pensions, Civil Pensions being estimated to cost $7,370 less than in 1917. I have already addressed you regarding the death of Dr. Atkinson, and it is a matter for deep regret that he should have lived for so short a time to enjoy the pension that he had so well earned. The increase in the amount required under Widows' and Orphans' Pensions is due to the untimely death of several valuable officers.\n\nThe local branch of the Overseas Club subscribed a sum of £1,690 for the purchase of an aeroplane and for sundry charities. I desire to make special mention of the generous gifts of a battle-plane by Mr. A. R. Lowe, and an aeroplane by Mr. Ho Fook.\n\nA saving of $1,569 is shown under Charitable Services.\n\nThere is an estimated balance of Revenue over Expenditure of $2,623,115, which added to the estimated balance at the end of this year of $2,867,945 makes a total of $5,491,060. These figures are eminently satisfactory, and while repeating the warning that I gave last year as to the necessity for husbanding our resources, I will take an opportunity later on of consulting honourable members as to what further help the Colony can give to His Majesty's Government. In this connection I will bring up to date the statement of the financial and other aid given by the Colony to Imperial War Funds and to War Charities, which I made to the Council in March.\n\nThe amounts taken up through the British Banks in the Colony to the end of September are as follows: British War Loans and War Savings Certificates £1,145,000; Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States Loans $3,865,173 (Straits Currency).\n\nThe various parties of ladies working under the auspices of Queen Mary's Needlework Guild have since the beginning of the war made 211,274 bandages, 30,271 garments and 11,158 knitted articles, while the Union Church working party and other private working parties have all continued to supply many articles monthly.\n\nI should like to mention that from the 7th August correspondence from all regular troops stationed in Hongkong addressed to any place in Great Britain and Ireland, to any British Colony or Possession, and to all places in which British troops are engaged in military operations has been transmitted through the post free of charge. Up to the 30th September the following articles had been posted and forwarded by the Post Office: 20,606 letters, 374 postcards, 380 other articles.\n\nUp to the 30th September, 472 men had proceeded from the Colony on active service with His Majesty's Forces, of whom I regret to say 33 have been killed in action. The Military Service Commission which I appointed in the Spring did most useful work, resulting in the release of more than fifty men for service outside the Colony. The war still continues, and I trust that the Colony will continue to make every effort in supporting His Majesty's Government both in the supply of men and money until the objects for which the Empire and her gallant Allies are struggling have been attained.\n\nThe Hongkong and South China War Savings Association, which was established in January last, had received up to the end of September the large sum of $1,011,440 Straits Currency and the number of members of the Association was 787. The Colony is deeply indebted to the gentlemen who formed and have carried on this association at no expense to the members, and to the Union Insurance Society of Canton, who are the Honorary Secretaries and Treasurers. It has proved a great boon to the small investor, and we can only hope that the remaining sum which the Government of the Straits Settlements has reserved for the Association will all be taken up.\n\nIn my statement last March I gave a list of the amounts contributed to various funds in aid of the war and to charities in connection with the war up to the 31st December, 1916, the total being £64,192. Up to the end of September the War Charities Committee remitted a further sum of over £13,000...\n\nIt is proposed to take the second reading of the Supply Bill on Tuesday, the 23rd October, as it is essential that the estimates should be forwarded on the 25th October in order that, in accordance with the Colonial Regulations, they may be considered and approved, or otherwise, before the end of the year.\n\nThe Bill was then read a first time.\n\n75", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-444 - Governor Sir May & Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1917 [10-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 468890, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-444 - Governor Sir May & Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1917 [10-12]", "page_number": 110, "title": "CO129-444 - Governor Sir May & Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1917 [10-12]", "content_text": "93\n\nHONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL\n\nThese works will result in a good broad road being in existence at the end of next year from Kowloon by Castle Peak and Fanling back to Kowloon, a distance of over sixty miles. It is expected that much development will take place in consequence both for residential and agricultural purposes. The road from San Tin to Lok Ma Chau Police Station will be useful for police administration, the present path being narrow and liable to flooding.\n\nUnder Drainage a sum of $20,000 has been provided for drains in connection with building operations, and a sum of $27,000 is entered for water mains at Shamshui Po.\n\nIn the Post Office under Other Charges the abolition of sea sorting on board P. & O. packets has reduced the share of the Mail Subsidy by £600; this is still further reduced by higher exchange and a saving of $10,640 is shown. It is estimated that higher exchange will also result in a saving of $25,000 in Transit Charges. There are increases in Coal and other items amounting to $3,000, but against these are set decreases of $500 and $1,400 in Stamps and Incidental Expenses, respectively. The vote for Stores, D'Aguilar Radio Telegraph Station, was over-estimated last year and has been reduced by $5,435.\n\nIn the Kowloon-Canton Railway, under General Charges, Personal Emoluments, it will be noticed that the post of Inspector of Station Accounts has been abolished.\n\nUnder Traffic Expenses, Personal Emoluments, the post of Head Guard has been abolished and a new post of Station Inspector has been created with a view to the better supervision of Chinese Station Masters. One 6th Grade Telephone Clerk has been added for night duty. \"Other Charges\" have been reduced by $4,801 in all, the Commission on the Transport of Goods amounting to $3,000 being deducted before estimating revenue.\n\nCoal for the Fanling Branch Line is estimated to cost $1,750 more and the votes for Fastenings and Sleepers have also been increased. Other items have been reduced so that the net increase is $1,895. I regret that this Branch Line shows no sign of being able to pay its way. The estimated revenue for 1918 is only $10,100 and the estimated cost is $13,898. It may be necessary to close the line unless its productiveness increases.\n\nUnder Special Expenditure a vote of $3,000 is inserted for a Motor Trolley for the better supervision of the track by the Engineer of Way Works and Stations. A re-vote of $80,000 is included for the platform awnings. The erection of these has been much delayed by the difficulty experienced in obtaining the necessary steel work from England. Votes amounting to $12,985 are included for other constructional works. The huts for pointsmen and gatemen are considered necessary, as these men have to be out at all times and in all weathers.\n\nUnder Maintenance of Way Works and Stations, Other Charges, a vote for New Fencing is required as the wooden fencing which has not been renewed since the commencement of the railway now requires renewal. It is considered necessary to provide quarters for the staff at Lo Wu Station, as there is no living accommodation for them there and it is considered desirable that the staff should live in British territory. The pipe line at Tai Po requires complete renewal, as it has been found to be much corroded and choked.\n\nThere are increases of $350 for Fastenings, $223 for Points and Crossings, $450 for Roads and Crossings, and $2,400 for Sleepers, as it is anticipated that a large number of renewals will be required next year. Against these are set decreases of $700 in Ballast, $2,200 in Bridges and Tunnels which have undergone biennial repairs and renovation this year, $250 in Maintenance of Signals, $75 in Plantations, $650 in Repairs of Staff Quarters, and $1,050 in Repairs of Station Buildings, so that the total Other Charges has been reduced by a sum of $1,500.\n\nUnder Locomotive, Carriages and Wagon Expenses, Personal Emoluments, there are several small additions to the staff which are set out in Appendix III. Under Other Charges there is a large increase of $32,000 for Coal which has been reduced from 7,000 to 6,000 tons in quantity. There are, however, reductions in other votes which bring the net increase to a sum of $29,329.\n\nImprovements are required to the approach road to Yaumati necessitated by an increase in vehicular traffic at that station, while the vote for Roads and Crossings is required owing to the greater use that is now made of these crossings.\n\nUnder the heading Charge on account of the Public Debt a considerable saving is shown in the Interest on the Consolidated Inscribed Stock, the Crown Agents' Charges and in the Sinking Fund, amounting in all to $29,137, which is due to higher exchange. The vote of $10,000 for Service of the War Loan is not required.\n\n114.\n\nThe Jockey Club sent to St. Dunstan's Hospital a sum of £3,900 and £100 to the Blue Cross Society, while the St. Andrew's Society and the Masonic Bodies have also remitted large sums.\n\nHONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL\n\nThere is a decrease of $6,070 under Pensions, Civil Pensions being estimated to cost $7,370 less than in 1917. I have already addressed you regarding the death of Dr. Atkinson, and it is a matter for deep regret that he should have lived for so short a time to enjoy the pension that he had so well earned. The increase in the amount required under Widows' and Orphans' Pensions is due to the untimely death of several valuable officers.\n\nThe local branch of the Overseas Club subscribed a sum of £1,690 for the purchase of an aeroplane and for sundry charities. I desire to make special mention of the generous gifts of a battle-plane by Mr. A. R. Lowe, and an aeroplane by Mr. Ho Fook.\n\nA saving of $1,569 is shown under Charitable Services.\n\nThere is an estimated balance of Revenue over Expenditure of $2,623,115, which added to the estimated balance at the end of this year of $2,867,945 makes a total of $5,491,060. These figures are eminently satisfactory, and while repeating the warning that I gave last year as to the necessity for husbanding our resources, I will take an opportunity later on of consulting honourable members as to what further help the Colony can give to His Majesty's Government.\n\nIn this connection I will bring up to date the statement of the financial and other aid given by the Colony to Imperial War Funds and to War Charities, which I made to the Council in March.\n\nThe amounts taken up through the British Banks in the Colony to the end of September are as follows:-\n\nBritish War Loans and War Savings Certificates £1,145,000\n\nStraits Settlements and Federated Malay States Loans $3,865,173 (Straits Currency).\n\nThe Hongkong and South China War Savings Association, which was established in January last, had received up to the end of September the large sum of $1,011,440 Straits Currency and the number of members of the Association was 787. The Colony is deeply indebted to the gentlemen who formed and have carried on this association at no expense to the members, and to the Union Insurance Society of Canton, who are the Honorary Secretaries and Treasurers.\n\nIn my statement last March I gave a list of the amounts contributed to various funds in aid of the war and to charities in connection with the war up to the 31st December 1917, the total being £64,192. Up to the end of September the War Charities Committee remitted a further sum of over £13,000 and have expended locally for the working parties and in other ways a sum of $84,950.\n\nThe various parties of ladies working under the auspices of Queen Mary's Needlework Guild have since the beginning of the war made 211,274 bandages, 30,271 garments and 11,158 knitted articles, while the Union Church working party and other private working parties have all continued to supply many articles monthly.\n\nI should like to mention that from the 7th August correspondence from all regular troops stationed in Hongkong addressed to any place in Great Britain and Ireland, to any British Colony or Possession, and to all places in which British troops are engaged in military operations has been transmitted through the post free of charge. Up to the 30th September the following articles had been posted and forwarded by the Post Office: -- 20,696 letters, 374 postcards, 380 other articles.\n\nUp to the 30th September, 472 men had proceeded from the Colony on active service with His Majesty's Forces, of whom I regret to say 33 have been killed in action. The Military Service Commission which I appointed in the Spring did most useful work, resulting in the release of more than fifty men for service outside the Colony.\n\nThe war still continues, and I trust that the Colony will continue to make every effort in supporting His Majesty's Government both in the supply of men and money until the objects for which the Empire and her gallant Allies are struggling have been attained.\n\nIt is proposed to take the second reading of the Supply Bill on Tuesday, the 23rd October, as it is essential that the estimates should be forwarded on the 25th October in order that, in accordance with the Colonial Regulations, they may be considered and approved, or otherwise, before the end of the year.\n\nThe Bill was then read a first time.\n\n106", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-444 - Governor Sir May & Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1917 [10-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 475593, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-446 - Others & Individuals - 1917", "page_number": 590, "title": "CO129-446 - Others & Individuals - 1917", "content_text": "2.\n\n585 seemingly anxious over the uncertainty created by our difficulties in estimating the probable cost of upkeep of an extension of the Hospital at the present time, take occasion to remind Major Atkinson and myself of the duty of satisfying ourselves that proper arrangements will be made for regulating the expenditure of whatever scheme is proposed, before committing them to it.\n\nAccordingly, should your Committee resolve to proceed with the Hongkong Extension scheme, Major Atkinson and myself, before acquiescing in the proposal to accommodate it at No. 82 Eaton Square, desire to be assured that the following procedure will be adopted in keeping the accounts, viz.:-\n\n(a) That, independently of the Cash Account, separate expenditure accounts for the equipment and upkeep of the Extension shall be kept.\n\n(b) That the accounts for the Extension shall be rendered monthly and shall be submitted to and passed by the Finance Committee before any payments are made.\n\n(c) That the method of keeping these accounts shall be the uniform system for keeping hospital accounts laid down by the King Edward's Hospital Fund.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-446 - Others & Individuals - 1917.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 476540, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-448 - Governor Sir May - 1918 [4-6]", "page_number": 355, "title": "CO129-448 - Governor Sir May - 1918 [4-6]", "content_text": "## The difficulty of estimating the number of ships that can yet be taken is enhanced by the uncertainty as to the movements of Allied and neutral tonnage.\n\nIt is rumoured that Japan proposes to place restrictions upon the use of her tonnage. The Committee are informed that the S.S. \"Prometheus\" under the Norwegian flag, on time charter on the coast, has been taken over by the Imperial Authorities. There are some twenty-five vessels running in similar circumstances in local trades, and, if these or any of them are similarly taken, any estimate regarding available British tonnage falls at once to the ground.\n\n## The Committee's position is in short that if British and Chinese interests are to be maintained no British ship can be spared although in extreme national urgency every British ship might have to be spared.\n\nThe Committee are working under the following instructions:- \n\"Decided to requisition all British steamers on Indian and Far Eastern Liner Services in order that they may be employed with utmost possible economy on most essential services\" - Secretary of State's telegram of the 7th March: \n\"Unless and until you are otherwise directed, it is not the desire of the Government to interfere either with the nature of your business or the method of conducting it\" - letter of 5th May from the Ministry of Shipping: \n\"All British liners are being requisitioned, but that does not necessarily imply that they would all be diverted from their previous trade routes\" - Secretary of State's telegram of the 10th August: \n\"The Home Office want every possible relief\" - Secretary of State's telegram of the 12th May.\n\n## The last is the key to the whole situation.\n\nWhile in the opinion of the Committee all British vessels on the coast are probably required to keep together a nucleus of the British...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-448 - Governor Sir May - 1918 [4-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 495250, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-480 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1923 [4-7]", "page_number": 269, "title": "CO129-480 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1923 [4-7]", "content_text": "A\n\nB\n\n254\n\nPublic brothels in Hongkong,\n\n1. The proportion of males to females for the whole population of the Colony in 1921 was (the figures being 382,357 to 242,309) 16 males to 10 females, approximately.\n\nIn the Island of Hongkong it is about 18 males to 10 females.\n\nAnd in Kowloon Peninsula about 15 to 10 (Chinese) 12 to 10 (non-Chinese).\n\nIn the New Territories the figures were 41,599 males to 41,348 females, i.e. approximately equal.\n\n2.\n\nThe total of the known brothels and prostitutes in the Colony are given in the attached table.\n\n3. As regards the ages of the prostitutes, none is allowed in any brothel under the age of 19. Cases of doubt are as a rule turned down in this office: no doubtful case is passed without invoking the assistance of the Po Leung Kuk Committee in estimating the true age.\n\nPractising prostitutes are given cards, of which a sample is attached; the translation shows the object. Further, a Police Inspector is seconded to this office with the sole duty of seeing that the provisions of the Women and Girls' Ordinance (No.4 of 1897) are observed; the principal part of this duty is to prevent irregularities in the brothels and to make it easy for prostitutes to register complaints or grievances. Experience shows them to be very ready to take advantage of opportunities afforded. Dr. G. E. Aubrey, who has a very wide experience in the Asiatic brothels for Europeans, states that he has examined every woman applying for admission to the houses, by whom he is consulted, and no virgin has applied during the last 14 years.\n\n4. Excepting Spring Garden Lane and Swatow Lane, brothels for Chinese and for Europeans are situated in quite separate parts of the Colony. Swatow Lane is a small...\n\nB\n\nE", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-480 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1923 [4-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 495632, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-481 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1923 [8-12]", "page_number": 300, "title": "CO129-481 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1923 [8-12]", "content_text": "― \n\n62 \n\n— \n\nI propose, subject to your concurrence, to ask Messrs. Dodwell & Co., on behalf of the Kailan Mining Administration, to manage the vessel for the present, on the understanding that the Administration will use her to bring coal to the Colony for Government purposes or for purposes approved by the Government, at rates based upon the rates charged for the ship, the accounts to be subject to audit. In other words, the vessel will be run by the Administration upon lines similar to those upon which liner requisition vessels are run.” \n\nThe S.S. Wollmera was requisitioned by the Naval Authorities on the 30th November, 1917, under the terms contained in Admiralty Charter Party \"T 99\", and she was handed over to the Hongkong Government to control. \n\n8. The Vital Requirements Committee had in the meantime been considering in the most minute detail the question of sparing more ships for full requisition and the employment of less suitable vessels to take their place in the trade on the China Coast, and their advice was being constantly asked as to the allocation between numerous applicants of the very limited cargo space which was allotted to the Colony on the Home and Indian runs. \n\nOn the 10th December, Mr. A. G. M. Fletcher, who had become Chairman of the Committee, addressed the following letter to the Government regarding the shipping situation as it then stood :— \n\n\"I have the honour to inform Your Excellency that a meeting of the reconstituted Vital Requirements Committee was held on the morning of the 5th December, for the purpose of considering their present position and their future policy in the matter of the requisitioning of ships. \n\nThe question of procedure has been to a large extent settled in the Committee's and the Commodore's letters of the 29th November and the 1st December respectively. The Committee suggest that the procedure should be definitely as follows: The Commodore will refer requests for requisitioning to the Sub-Committee, who will consider the matter in conjunction with Mr. Cary: corresponding direct with the Commodore. The Sub-Committee will report their recommendations to Mr. Edkins, Mr. Anton, and Mr. Dodwell, who will form a quorum of the Committee for the purpose. This quorum will use their discretion as regards consulting the other members of the Committee, and their considered opinion will be reported to the Commodore through the Colonial Secretary. The Colonial Secretary or the Assistant Colonial Secretary will act as Chairman of the Committee, in which capacity he will keep the Government informed of what transpires. The Commodore will supply the Governor with copies of his requests for requisitioning. \n\nThe Commodore and Lieutenant Oldman have asked the Committee to state the number of vessels now remaining on the China Coast which in their opinion can be spared for Imperial purposes, and they have suggested that an approximately accurate figure can be arrived at through statistics obtained to show the cargoes which are vital to the life of the Colony; whereby under a process of elimination tonnage now carrying non-essentials and semi-essentials can be definitely set on one side as available for Imperial purposes. The Committee find themselves unable to supply this information, for the following reasons: -- \n\nIn the first place, the trade of the whole China Coast is in question. Hongkong's trade statistics extend over a period of a few months only, and, with trade conditions continually changing, with ships required for one purpose to-day being diverted for another to-morrow, the Committee regard those statistics as not sufficient for the purpose required. They regard the immensely voluminous figures compiled by the Chinese Customs as equally insufficient for the purposes of any decision on the vital requirements of Hongkong. \n\nIt is unnecessary to reiterate the point that Hongkong is merely a distributing centre and that her vital requirements do not consist solely in food for the population and material for the docks. The Governor's draft telegram of June last to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, which was concurred \n\n63 \n\n- \n\nin by the Committee, has put their views very clearly. They maintain their opinion, then expressed, that \"Hongkong, being only a great trading port and distributing centre for South China, subsists practically on shipping alone, upon which with its connected avocations the native population of Victoria and Kowloon, numbering about 400,000 persons, depend for their living. They urge strongly that no further ships should be requisitioned from Far Eastern waters without first reviewing the situation and indicating the services for which the vessels are required; and that it is essential to keep alive a nucleus of the British shipping services trading with Hongkong\". \n\nThe difficulty of estimating the number of ships that can yet be taken is enhanced by the uncertainty as to the movements of Allied and neutral tonnage. It is rumoured that Japan proposes to place restrictions upon the use of her tonnage. The Committee are informed that the S.S. Prometheus, under the Norwegian flag, on time charter on the coast, has been taken over by the Imperial Authorities. There are some twenty-five vessels running in similar circumstances in local trades, and, if these or any of them are similarly taken, any estimate regarding available British tonnage falls at once to the ground. \n\nThe Committee's position is, in short, that if British and Chinese interests are to be maintained, no British ship can be spared, although in extreme national urgency every British ship might have to be spared. The Committee are working under the following instructions: Decided to requisition all British steamers on Indian and Far Eastern Liner Services in order that they may be employed with utmost possible economy on most essential services Secretary of State's telegram of the 7th March: \"Unless and until you are otherwise directed, it is not the desire of the Government to interfere either with the nature of your business or the method of conducting it\" letter of 5th May, from the Ministry of Shipping: \"All British liners are being requisitioned, but that does not necessarily imply that they would all be diverted from their previous trade routes Secretary of State's telegram of the 10th August: \"The Home Office want every possible relief\" Secretary of State's telegram of the 12th May. \n\n13 \n\nThe last is the key to the whole situation. While in the opinion of the Committee all British vessels on the coast are probably required to keep together a nucleus of the British trades established through long years of patient effort, yet when and in so far as the Imperial need is the greater some ships can and must be spared. \n\nThe Committee wish in this connection to draw attention to the appointment of Colonel Thomson. They consider it essential that the representative of the Shipping Controller should be an experienced shipping man and that he should, as far as possible, remain on the China Coast, where alone he can study and understand the conditions peculiar to that coast. The Committee have been unofficially informed that Colonel Thomson has very considerable experience of shipping; but he has hitherto conducted operations from India. The result would seem to be somewhat unfortunate from the point of view of Hongkong, judging by the case of the Hongkong-Calcutta run. In 1914 the British India and the Indo-China Lines had each eight vessels on that run. At the present day the British India Line retain three vessels against the Indo-China Line's one, and the Controller has recently taken the Indo-China boat Chaksang, which has been specially built for the run; whereas in the opinion of the Committee one of the British India boats would be more suitable for Imperial purposes. The Committee ask that no further ships may, if possible, be taken until Colonel Thomson has had time to review the situation on the spot. The Committee suggest that in any event Lieutenant Oldman should remain adviser to the Admiralty and that Mr. Sutherland and Mr. Nuttall or his substitute should be appointed as Colonel Thomson's local representatives. \n\nThe Committee hope that their representations will not be read as indicating an obstructionist policy. They most emphatically realise that the Imperial needs are paramount, and that the Colony must do the utmost in its power, irrespective of private interests, to further the common end. \n\nPage 300\nPage 301", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-481 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1923 [8-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 514488, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-509-15 Water supply- development scheme 30-1-1928 - 17-1-1929", "page_number": 217, "title": "CO129-509-15 Water supply- development scheme 30-1-1928 - 17-1-1929", "content_text": "Aug-19-2005\n\nCopy to C.\n\n23724/20\n\n47254/24\n\n20132/26\n\nTELEGRAM from the Officer Administering the Government of Hong Kong to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.\n\nDated 1st August 1928.\n\n(Received, Colonial Office, 5:40 p.m., 1st August, 1928).\n\nYour telegram of 25th June.\n\n226\n\nAberdeen Water Scheme. Am satisfied as to engineering aspects of the scheme and Director of Public Works does not require assistance but am in some doubt as to whether the cost will not be seriously increased owing to under-estimating of the cost of resumption of the paper mills.\n\nIn accordance with Clementi's promise (see Hansard 1926 page 92) Aberdeen Scheme was placed before the Public Works Committee of the Legislative Council which includes all unofficial Members. After full discussion at two meetings, at the second of which all members except Chow, who is absent from the Colony, were present, Unofficial Members unanimously advised in favour of immediate completion of the first section of Shingmun Scheme, including cross-harbour pipes as proposed by the Public Works Department, to be followed by second Section of Shingmun.\n\nOne member only, namely Doctor Kotewall, advised proceeding simultaneously with the Aberdeen Scheme. The rest would postpone Aberdeen for the present. First Section of Shingmun was approved by your telegram of 29th May 1924 and is in process of completion except for pipe line across the harbour and Garden Reservoir in Hong Kong. Second section has not yet received your approval (see Governor's despatch of 2nd September 1924 No.344).\n\nThe design of the pipe line across the harbour has been the subject of discussion in 1925 with the Crown Agents (see Crown Agents' letter of the 27th October 1925 No.540/Z/Hong Kong 3621 to the Colonial Secretary) and a decision has not been reached owing to Clementi's decision not to proceed with this portion of the work (see his despatch of 20th September 1926 No.399 paragraph 3).\n\nClementi strongly favoured the Aberdeen Scheme, but it seems clear that the Scheme could only be carried in the Legislative Council at the present time by Official Vote in the face of unanimous unofficial opposition.\n\nPage 226\n\nUnofficial...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-509-15 Water supply- development scheme 30-1-1928 - 17-1-1929.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 518913, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-516-3 Military contribution of Colony assessmenet of contribution 13-3-1929 - 28-3-1930", "page_number": 48, "title": "CO129-516-3 Military contribution of Colony assessmenet of contribution 13-3-1929 - 28-3-1930", "content_text": "#2,367,584 and $2,645,566 respectively. In a \nconfidential despatch of 1st November, details are \ngiven of how these figures were arrived at.\n\nThe Treasury, on the advice of the War \nOffice, have now declined to consent to overturning \nthe present system (20% of revenue) in favour of \nthe new proposal (12% of rateable value). The \nWar Office views are summarised as follows:\n\nThe existing system is substantially that \nwhich was proposed by the Eastern Colonies \nthemselves, and adopted in 1895 on the \nrecommendation of the Haliburton Committee. \nIt has not been shown that it fails to answer \nthe original purpose of graduating the \nColonies' payments towards their general \ndefence as part of the Empire, according to \ntheir capacity to pay.\n\nIt has worked for 35 years, and few \npoints of controversy have raised any difficulty \nbetween Hong Kong and the War Office for many \nyears past. Only in the comparatively minor matter \nof making estimating easy, would it appear that \nthe proposed alternative system would be an \nimprovement, so far as the War Office is concerned.\n\nThe Hong Kong Rating Ordinance leaves \nopen for decision from time to time by the Hong \nKong Government, both the area of valuation and the \nminimum of rateability; further, the new \nproposal would deprive the Colonial authorities of \nalmost all financial interest in maintaining the \nrates.\n\nThe comparison of the amount of contribution \nunder", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-516-3 Military contribution of Colony assessmenet of contribution 13-3-1929 - 28-3-1930.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 518919, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-516-3 Military contribution of Colony assessmenet of contribution 13-3-1929 - 28-3-1930", "page_number": 54, "title": "CO129-516-3 Military contribution of Colony assessmenet of contribution 13-3-1929 - 28-3-1930", "content_text": "# HONG KONG'S MILITARY CONTRIBUTION\n\n## Memorandum regarding the Method of Assessment\n\n### The Present Situation\n\n1. It is an accepted principle that a Colony should pay in proportion to its means towards the general defence afforded it as part of the Empire. Originally, Hong Kong paid a fixed contribution in sterling. It was calculated on an estimate of the amount of surplus revenue that the Colony might pay, having regard to the cost of its garrison, without undue strain on its own capital requirements (to which surpluses were customarily devoted).* The disadvantages to the Colony of this procedure were two:\n\n(i) The contribution being fixed, it had to be paid without regard to fluctuations in the prosperity of the Colony.\n\n(ii) The contributions being fixed in sterling, the Colony had to meet losses (and they were considerable) caused by the depreciation of silver currency. The proposal to overcome these difficulties by levying a percentage on local revenue assessed in local currency was discussed by the Haliburton Committee with reference to Hong Kong in 1894 (Section 10 of their Report), but not until the proposal was also put forward by the Straits Settlements did they seriously examine it (Section XI, 1895), and it was then adopted as a principle generally applicable. This principle has continued ever since, and it has not been essentially modified by various minor questions about the classes of revenue on which the percentage should be levied.\n\nAt present, the military contribution of Hong Kong is based, in accordance with the above principles, on the cost of the garrison or 20 per cent. of the assessable revenue,† whichever is less. The Colony has almost invariably paid on the latter basis. The Peel Committee (1927) did not recommend any change.\n\n### The New Proposal\n\n2. A new proposal has been put forward by the Governor of Hong Kong in despatches dated 24th June, 1926 (No. 298), and 28th July, 1928 (two), and supported by the Colonial Office, in letter of 12th October, 1928, to the effect that the Colony should pay 12 per cent. (later 12 1/3 per cent.‡) of the annual valuation made for rateable purposes during the year previous to that which the contribution is to be paid. In form, this system would supersede that introduced in 1894-95 at the instance of the Colonies themselves, but that would not necessarily be a final objection to it if it were shown that it would yield the required amounts.\n\n3. The main grounds on which the new proposal is put forward are three. In the first place, the Colony argues that if the new proposal were carried out it would then be possible to budget exactly for the military contribution, since the amount of contribution due in any particular year would be known before the Estimates of that year were prepared. It might be added that this knowledge would also be of some assistance to the War Office, since, under the proposed system, the War Office would know before each year's Estimates were prepared, what the exact dollar contribution from Hong Kong would be. As things are, both the Colony and the War Office have to work on Estimates, but the outcome of the revenue is always different and accounting adjustments have to be made every year. The new proposal would simplify accounting and, if it were adopted, the only element of uncertainty then affecting the War Office would be the rates of exchange at which the monthly payments of the contribution would be adjusted.\n\n*Haliburton Committee Report, Section 4, Appendix B, dated 1888.\n†See paragraph 10.\n‡Actually the Colony's first despatch of 28th July, 1928, proposed 12 per cent. of rateable value: the second despatch suggested an additional 1/3 per cent. \"if by that means a permanent settlement could be obtained.\" The Colonial Office's letter of 12th October, 1928, formally offered 12 1/3 per cent.\n\n\n54 \n\nless; the Governor of the Colony proposes to substitute, for the revenue limit to the amount of the Colony's military contribution, a 12 1/3 per cent. levy on the rateable value. At the same time particulars have been received of various claims for the modification of the present system which the Governor would propose to put forward if the new proposal were not accepted. \n\n2. The Council have had their provisional comments on these questions embodied in a memorandum, a copy of which is enclosed herewith. The position as it presents itself to the Council and as set forth in the memorandum may be summarised as follows:\n\n| Point | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| (a) | The existing system of assessing Colonial military contributions is substantially that proposed by the Eastern Colonies themselves and adopted in 1895 on the recommendations of the Haliburton Committee. It has not been shown that it fails to answer the original purpose of graduating the Colonies' payments towards their general defence as part of the Empire according to their capacity to pay. It has worked for 35 years, and Lord Peel's Committee, which recently reviewed Colonial military contributions, suggested no alternative system. (Paragraph 1.) |\n| (b) | The main criticism made against the existing system by the Governor of Hong Kong is that it offers scope for points of controversy; few such points, however, appear to have raised any difficulty between Hong Kong and the War Office for many years past. Only in the comparatively minor matter of making estimating easier does it appear that the proposed system would be an improvement on the present so far as the War Office is concerned. (Paragraphs 2-5.) |\n| (c) | **The Ordinance No. 6 of 1901** which governs the valuation of Hong Kong leaves open for decision from time to time by the Colonial Authorities both the area of valuation and the minimum of rateability. Further the new proposal would deprive the Colonial Authorities of almost all financial interest in maintaining the rates. (Paragraphs 6-7.) |\n| (d) | The comparison of the amounts of contribution under the present system and those which the new system would have yielded for past years suffers from the disturbing factors of the war and rent restrictions, but it is not clear that a levy on rateable value would be as good a criterion of the Colony's capacity to pay as is a percentage of gross revenue. Valuation by an appointed assessor introduces elements of individual judgment. (Paragraphs 8-9.) |\n| (e) | The claims for the amendment of the present system, reserved by the Governor in the event of the new proposal being rejected, are not fully stated, but they comprise claims for the assessment of net instead of gross receipts and for exemption from assessment of certain revenues hitherto assessed in gross. These claims, which are far-reaching in their financial effects, raise questions of the treatment of municipal revenues which were fully considered and decided against the Colony in 1895. More particularly the claims ignore the principle on which the War Office has always taken its stand, that modifications of the scope of the revenue assessable under the `1895 settlement` can only be made if they are accompanied by a revision of the percentage limit on gross revenue. If, however, any individual claims for assessment of net instead of gross receipts are based on sound principles, the War Office is prepared to examine them. (Paragraphs 10-22.) |\n| (f) | The claim for concessions on hospital and education revenues calls for notice owing to the departure from the `1895 settlement` made in 1909 in this matter by the Straits Settlements under protest from the War Office and the Treasury. (Paragraphs 23-24.) |\n| (g) | It does not appear that Army Funds are likely to gain from the proposed change in system; on the other hand there seems some reason to apprehend that in future years the yield from the new system might be smaller than that under the present system of 20 per cent. of revenue. (Paragraphs 25 and 26.) |\n\n3. The Army Council would not necessarily resist any proposal for the substitution of an entirely new system for the `1895 settlement` if it were clear that the new system would avoid any important disadvantages without sacrificing the advantages of the old system and that Army Funds would not suffer in consequence of the change. The Council are not at present satisfied that these conditions are fulfilled by the proposed levy on rateable value. In any case the issues raised by the Colony's reserved claims under the existing system are so direct a challenge to the principles of the `1895 settlement` that the Army Council are unable to agree that they constitute a genuine alternative to the proposed change of system.\n\n4. I am to submit these provisional comments for Their Lordship's consideration in the first instance. Meanwhile, copies of this letter and enclosure have not been sent to the Colonial Office.\n\nThe Secretary, \nThe Treasury.\n\nI am, &c., \nH. J. CREEDY.\n\nPage 3 \nPage 54", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-516-3 Military contribution of Colony assessmenet of contribution 13-3-1929 - 28-3-1930.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 518928, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-516-3 Military contribution of Colony assessmenet of contribution 13-3-1929 - 28-3-1930", "page_number": 63, "title": "CO129-516-3 Military contribution of Colony assessmenet of contribution 13-3-1929 - 28-3-1930", "content_text": "# 16/Abroad/276 (F.1.)\n\nSir,\n\n## Enclosure in CORY Mo. 68 A 25th April, 1929.\n\nI am commanded by the Army Council to inform you that they have had under consideration two letters from the Colonial Office numbered 52802/1928 and dated respectively 12th October, 1928, and 26th January, 1929, copies of which have been sent to the Treasury, relative to a proposal initiated by the Governor of Hong Kong in a despatch dated 24th June, 1926, and developed in further despatches dated 28th July and 1st November, 1928, for changing the method of assessing the Military Contribution of Hong Kong. Hong Kong now pays the cost of its garrison or gross revenue, whichever is less; the Governor of the Colony proposes to substitute, for the revenue limit to the amount of the Colony's Military Contribution, a 20% levy on the rateable value.\n\nAt the same time particulars have been received of various claims for the modification of the present system which the Governor would propose to put forward if the new proposal were not accepted.\n\n## 2.\n\nThe Council have had their provisional comments on these questions embodied in a memorandum, a copy of which is enclosed herewith. The position as it presents itself to the Council and as set forth in the memorandum may be summarised as follows :-\n\n| Point | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| (a) | The existing system of assessing Colonial Military Contributions is substantially that proposed by the Eastern Colonies themselves and adopted in 1895 on the recommendations of the Haliburton Committee. It has not been shown that it fails to answer the original purpose of graduating the Colonies' payments towards their general defence as part of the Empire according to their capacity to pay. It has worked for 35 years, and Lord Peel's Committee, which recently reviewed Colonial Military Contributions, suggested no alternative system. (Paragraph 1). |\n| (b) | The main criticism made against the existing system by the Governor of Hong Kong is that it offers scope for points of controversy; few such points, however, appear to have raised any difficulty between Hong Kong and the War Office for many years past. Only in the comparatively minor matter of making estimating easier does it appear that the proposed system would be an improvement on the present so far as the War Office is concerned. (Paragraph 2 - 5). |\n| (c) | The Ordinance No.6 of 1901 which governs the valuation of Hong Kong leaves open for decision from time to time by the Colonial Authorities both the area of valuation and the minimum of rateability. Further, the new proposal would deprive the Colonial Authorities of almost all financial interest in maintaining the rates. (Paragraph 3 - 7). |\n| (d) | The comparison of the amounts of contribution under the present system and those which the new system would have yielded for past years suffers from the disturbing factors of the war and rent restrictions, but it is not clear that a levy on rateable value would be as good a criterion of the Colony's capacity to pay as is a percentage of gross revenue. Valuation by an appointed assessor introduces elements of individual judgment. (Paragraphs 8-9). |\n\nThe Secretary,\nThe Treasury.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-516-3 Military contribution of Colony assessmenet of contribution 13-3-1929 - 28-3-1930.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 527635, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-530-3 Supplementary Expenditure- reports of the Finance Committee and quarterly returns 13-2-1930 - 7-6-1932", "page_number": 59, "title": "CO129-530-3 Supplementary Expenditure- reports of the Finance Committee and quarterly returns 13-2-1930 - 7-6-1932", "content_text": "## 80\n### 4\n\nBrought forward....... $64,640.00\n\nSupplementary expenditure of $135,000 for the provision of meters has already been approved this year, of which $70,000 was for Hong Kong. The expenditure of a further sum of $60,000 has been approved by the Finance Committee and by the Secretary of State for this revenue service which has produced this year over $1,000,000 as against the estimate of $850,000. A formal vote for the amount is now requested.\n\n`(C.S.O. 3245/20)`\n\n### 146.-23, Police Force-19, Passages\n\n| Description | Amount |\n| --- | --- |\n| Provision made in Estimates (page 46 sub-head 19) | $150,000 |\n\nOwing to lower rate of exchange, and to the necessity of providing passages for a number of Police Officers invalided and dismissed which could not be foreseen when the 1931 Estimates were being framed, a Supplementary Vote of $45,400 is requested.\n\n`(C.S.O. 18 in 173/31)`\n\n$45,400.00\n\n### 147.-31, Public Works Extraordinary-29, Hong Kong Port Works. Ferry Piers (Western). Refund due to extension of time of Contract\n\n| Description | Amount |\n| --- | --- |\n| Provision made in Estimates (page 94 sub-head 29) | $20,000 |\n| Provision made by Supplementary Vote (Message No. 9 item No. 48) | $12,600 |\n| Total | $32,600 |\n\nThe Contract period plus an agreed extension of one month was exceeded by five months and two days, and a deduction from the final account of $10,928.57 was made as provided for in the Contract. Upon representations being made by the Contractor, Government approved a further extension of time in which to complete the work, and the amount of the fine was reduced to $2,928.57. A refund of $8,000 is therefore due to the Contractor for which a vote is requested.\n\n`(C.S.O. 61 in 468/29)`\n\n$8,000.00\n\n### 148.-37, Pensions:-1, Civil Pensions\n\n| Description | Amount |\n| --- | --- |\n| Provision made in Estimates (page 111 sub-head 1) | $705,000 |\n\nThe sterling pensions which comprise the greater part of this service were provided for on the basis of exchange rate of 1s. 4d. = $1. As the rate fell considerably below this figure for ten months of the year, it becomes necessary to ask for a supplementary vote for $200,000 to meet expenditure to the end of 1931.\n\n`(C.S.O. 27 in 173/31)`\n\n$200,000.00\n\nCarried forward......... $318,040.00\n\n## 5\n\nBrought forward...... $318,040.00\n\n### 149.-37, Pensions:-2, Police Pensions\n\n| Description | Amount |\n| --- | --- |\n| Provision made in Estimates (page 111 sub-head 2) | $275,000 |\n\nThe sterling pensions which comprise the greater part of this service were provided for on the basis of exchange rate of 1s. 4d. = $1. As the rate fell considerably below this figure for ten months of the year, it becomes necessary to ask for a supplementary vote for $68,000 to meet expenditure to the end of 1931.\n\n`(C.S.O. 27 in 173/31)`\n\n$68,000.00\n\n### 150.-37, Pensions :-3, Widows' and Orphans' Pensions\n\n| Description | Amount |\n| --- | --- |\n| Provision made in Estimates (page 111 sub-head 3) | $213,000 |\n\nThe sterling pensions included in this vote were provided for on the basis of exchange rate of 1s. 4d. = $1. As the rate fell considerably below this figure for ten months of the year, it becomes necessary to ask for a supplementary vote for $20,000 to meet expenditure to the end of 1931.\n\n`(C.S.O. 27 in 173/31)`\n\n$20,000.00\n\n### 151.--34, Miscellaneous Services :-5, Crown Agents Commission\n\n| Description | Amount |\n| --- | --- |\n| Provision made in Estimates (page 109 sub-head 5) | $20,000 |\n\nThe estimate for this service was based on an exchange rate of 1s. 4d. = $1, and owing to the lower exchange ruling during the current year, a supplementary vote for $3,000 is necessary.\n\n`(C.S.O. 27 in 173/31)`\n\n$3,000.00\n\n### 152.-34, Miscellaneous Services:-51, Transport of Government Servants\n\n| Description | Amount |\n| --- | --- |\n| Provision made in Estimates (page 110 sub-head 51) | $300,000 |\n\nThis vote has proved insufficient largely as a result of the low rate of exchange and, to a smaller degree, under-estimating. A supplementary vote for $150,000 is required to meet expenditure to the end of 1931.\n\n`(C.S.O. 27 in 173/31)`\n\n$150,000.00\n\n### 153.-34, Miscellaneous Services :-33, Newspapers and Periodicals\n\n| Description | Amount |\n| --- | --- |\n| Provision made in Estimates (page 110 sub-head 33) | $8,500 |\n\nThe greater portion of this expenditure is for sterling subscriptions, and the fall in the rate of exchange has caused an excess over the Estimates. A further vote of $1,900 is necessary to cover requirements to the end of 1931.\n\n`(C.S.O. 27 in 173/31)`\n\n$1,900.00\n\nCarried forward......... $560,940.00\n\n## 81", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-530-3 Supplementary Expenditure- reports of the Finance Committee and quarterly returns 13-2-1930 - 7-6-1932.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 527666, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-530-3 Supplementary Expenditure- reports of the Finance Committee and quarterly returns 13-2-1930 - 7-6-1932", "page_number": 90, "title": "CO129-530-3 Supplementary Expenditure- reports of the Finance Committee and quarterly returns 13-2-1930 - 7-6-1932", "content_text": "## Supplementary Estimates\n\n### Brought forward\n\n$29,119.00\n\n### 29.-11, Post Office and Wireless, (B)-Wireless :-Other Charges. Special Expenditure. Bicycles\n\nIn order to enable the staff of messengers of the Radio Branch to cope with the increase of traffic which is now nearly double what it was a year ago and to effect speedy delivery of the messages, it is considered necessary that the messengers be provided with bicycles. No provision was made in the Estimates for this expenditure.\n\nRadio receipts in 1930 amounted to $432,000. Up to 30th April, 1931 $238,000 had been collected. (`C.S.O. 2861/22.`)\n\n| Description | Amount |\n| --- | --- |\n| | $16,587.00 |\n| | $500.00 |\n\n### 30.-32, Kowloon-Canton Railway :-1, Personal Emoluments\n\n| Description | Amount |\n| --- | --- |\n| Provision made in Estimates (page 97 sub-head 1) | $362,776 |\n| Provision made by Supplementary Vote (Message No. 1 item No. 3) | $2,100 |\n| Total | $364,876 |\n\nThe Secretary of State for the Colonies has approved of the salary of the post of Manager and Chief Engineer, Kowloon Canton Railway being increased from £1,500 per annum to the rate of £1,400-£50-£1,600 per annum, and also that the present holder Mr. R. Baker be permitted to draw salary at the rate of £1,550 per annum from 7th July, 1931.\n\nProvision in the current estimates was made at the old rate viz. £1,500 at exchange 1/4. While on leave from 28th March, 1931, Mr. Baker will draw his salary from the Crown Agents, the sterling payment being shown in the Crown Agents account at the current rate of exchange approximately 1s4d, also from 7th July 1931 the salary will be at the increased rate of £1,550 per annum.\n\nA supplementary vote of $7,732 is therefore required. (`C.S.O. 1123240/29.`)\n\n### 31-32, Kowloon-Canton Railway :-Other Charges. 8, Conveyance allowance to Railway\n\n| Description | Amount |\n| --- | --- |\n| Provision made in Estimates (page 97, sub-head 8) | $211 |\n| Further sum required | $188 |\n\nOwing to an oversight no provision was made for the conveyance allowances payable to the Manager and Chief Engineer of the Railway during the absence on leave of Mr. Baker who holds both posts. At the same time a revised scale of allowances has been introduced as from April 1st, 1931, involving a total increase of $84 per annum over the approved scale. The sum actually provided in respect of these allowances is $211 and a further sum of $188 is required to make up the deficiency. (`C.S.O. 6626/23.`)\n\n### 32.-30, Public Works Recurrent :-6, Item 3, Hong Kong Water Account (Meters). Provision and fixing of meters\n\n| Description | Amount |\n| --- | --- |\n| Provision made in Estimates (page 90 sub-head 6 item 3) | $35,000 |\n| Supplementary Vote | $50,000 |\n\nNumerous applications for new metered services are being received on account of rapid development especially on Praya East Reclamation.\n\nThe vote is revenue producing and further expenditure up to a total of $135,000 for all services has already been approved by the Finance Committee and by the Secretary of State.\n\nA supplementary vote of $50,000 is requested which will allow for the provision of approximately 400 new meters and general maintenance. (`C.S.O. 3245/20.`)\n\n### 33.-30, Public Works Recurrent :-13, Item 2, Kowloon Water Account (Meters etc.). Provision and fixing of meters\n\n| Description | Amount |\n| --- | --- |\n| Provision made in Estimates (page 91 sub-head 13 item 2) | $40,000 |\n| Supplementary Vote | $50,000 |\n\nNumerous applications for new metered services are being received on account of the rapid development on the Peninsula.\n\nThe vote is revenue producing and further expenditure up to a total of $135,000 for all services has already been approved by the Finance Committee and by the Secretary of State.\n\nA supplementary vote of $50,000 is requested which will allow for the provision of approximately 400 new meters and general maintenance. (`C.S.O. 3245/20.`)\n\n### 34.-34, Miscellaneous Services:-3, Census Expenses\n\n| Description | Amount |\n| --- | --- |\n| Provision made in Estimates (page 109 sub-head 3) | $50,000 |\n| Supplementary Vote | $10,000 |\n\nThe original estimate of $50,000 was of an arbitrary nature. Number of staff required and duration of work were indefinite at time of estimating and the vote has proved inadequate.\n\nIt is hoped to complete the tabulation of statistics from the Census enumeration by the end of September but it may take a little longer, and it is considered necessary to apply for a further sum of $10,000 to complete the work. (`C.S.O. 5750/29.`)\n\n### TOTAL\n\n$135,007.00\n\nPage 90\nPage 91", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-530-3 Supplementary Expenditure- reports of the Finance Committee and quarterly returns 13-2-1930 - 7-6-1932.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 527713, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-530-3 Supplementary Expenditure- reports of the Finance Committee and quarterly returns 13-2-1930 - 7-6-1932", "page_number": 137, "title": "CO129-530-3 Supplementary Expenditure- reports of the Finance Committee and quarterly returns 13-2-1930 - 7-6-1932", "content_text": "## \n| Item | Description | Amount |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Brought forward | | $75,007.00 |\n| 33.-30, Public Works Recurrent :--13, Item 2, Kowloon Water Account (Meters etc.) | Provision and fixing of meters | |\n| | Provision made in Estimates (page 91 sub-head 13 item 2) | $40,000 |\n| | Numerous applications for new metered services are being received on account of the rapid development on the Peninsula. The vote is revenue producing and further expenditure up to a total of $135,000 for all services has already been approved by the Finance Committee and by the Secretary of State. A supplementary vote of $50,000 is requested which will allow for the provision of approximately 400 new meters and general maintenance. (C.S.O.3245/20.) | $50,000.00 |\n| 34.-34, Miscellaneous Services :-3, Census Expenses | Provision made in Estimates (page 109 sub-head 3) | $50,000 |\n| | The original estimate of $50,000 was of an arbitrary nature. Number of staff required and duration of work were indefinite at time of estimating and the vote has proved inadequate. It is hoped to complete the tabulation of statistics from the Census enumeration by the end of September but it may take a little longer, and it is considered necessary to apply for a further sum of $10,000 to complete the work. (C.S.O.5750/29.) | $10,000.00 |\n| TOTAL | | $135,007.00 | \n188 \n6", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-530-3 Supplementary Expenditure- reports of the Finance Committee and quarterly returns 13-2-1930 - 7-6-1932.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 529586, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-533-10 Position of prostitution in Hong Kong 16-1-1931 - 19-9-1931", "page_number": 50, "title": "CO129-533-10 Position of prostitution in Hong Kong 16-1-1931 - 19-9-1931", "content_text": "## \n### In cases where force was used or they were deceived as to the purposes of their journeys please state what methods were employed.\n\nAns. The number of women who left Hong Kong for the Straits Settlements in order to practise prostitution there during the years 1924-1927 was as follows:\n\n| 1924 | 1925 | 1926 | 1927 |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 457 | 245 | 700 | 71 |\n\n5. What, in general, has been the result of applying the laws and measures mentioned in question 4 in the last five years?\n\nAns. It would be difficult to say. On the whole it is probable that the situation, so far as the traffic in women is concerned, has altered little during the past 5 years. Other factors, such as the fluctuation of civil war and disorder in China, affect the question. The following figures, taken from the police reports, give the number of charges brought under the Women and Girls Protection Ordinance No. 4 of 1897.\n\n| 1925 | 1926 | 1927 | 1928 | 1929 |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 63 | 47 | 116 | 170 | 152 |\n\nAll these women were questioned before departure by an officer of the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs, and so far as could be ascertained, they all went of their own free will. In 1927, admissions to tolerated houses in the Straits Settlements were stopped. No other statistics are available.\n\nComplaints are from time to time made at the Chinese Secretariat by girls who allege that they have been induced by force or fraud to leave their homes in order to practise prostitution. Specimens of such statements are given in the Appendix. The methods, as stated, are generally:\n\n(1) promise to find work,\n(2) promise to arrange marriage,\n(3) undertaking to find relations who have gone abroad,\n(4) intimidation,\n(5) In addition, girls sometimes allege that they have been drugged by means of chemicals introduced into food or cigarettes. No direct evidence of this practice, other than the statements of the victims, seems ever to have been obtained.\n\nIn estimating the value of such statements, it should be remembered that girls sometimes make false allegations of this nature, either from a sense of shame or, after they have sold themselves, from a desire to retain the money and escape the consequences. This form of conspiracy is known in China as \"Flying the Homing Pigeon\".\n\n### 4. Please furnish the text of all laws and administrative orders or regulations in actual operation in your country for combating the traffic in women and children.\n\nThe Commission is in possession of the laws mentioned on the attached sheet.\n\nThe following ordinances and regulations are concerned with this problem:\n\n1. Women and Girls Protection Ordinance 4 of 1897.\n - Amendment Ordinance 21 of 1929. Regulations of Hong Kong pp. 178-179.\n - Amendment Govt. Notn. 578 in Govt. Gazette of 7th October, 1927.\n\n2. Boarding House Rules, Regs. pp. 715-726.\n - Amendment Govt. Notn. 326 in Govt. Gazette of 8th June, 1928.\n\n3. Female Domestic Service Ordinance 1 of 1923.\n - Amendment Ordinance 22 of 1929.\n - Regulations Govt. Notn. 568 in Govt. Gazette of 8th November, 1929, as amended by Govt. Notn. 273 in Govt. Gazette of 9th May, 1930.\n\n4. Ordinance 2 of 1865, Sections 44 and 45.\n - Amendment Ordinance 13 of 1929.\n\n213\n\nThe increase in the number of cases does not necessarily connote an increase in the traffic. It is due rather to the fact that during 1925 and 1926, the attention of the authorities was occupied in dealing with the situation arising out of the political crisis of those years. With the collapse of the anti-British movement in 1927, it became possible to devote more attention to this work.\n\n6. Is there any demand for foreign prostitutes in your country, and what factors contribute to the creation of this demand? By foreign prostitutes are meant prostitutes, citizens of other countries, oriental as well as occidental.\n\nAns. Hong Kong is a large shipping centre. It is also a naval and military station. Males exceed females in the population in about the proportion of 3 to 2. All these factors tend to create a demand for European and American, Japanese, and Chinese prostitutes. There are a large number of transient visitors always in the colony, and it is not unusual for Chinese residents to leave their wives to supervise any houses or land they may possess in their country of origin. There is also a demand for women who act as entertainers at clubs and restaurants, and these women are, by custom, usually prostitutes. The practice of concubinage leads to a large number of prostitutes leaving their profession in order to become concubines, and their places are filled by a fresh influx from outside the colony. It would be impossible to say what proportion are natives of Hong Kong.\n\n7. Can your Government give, in addition to those stated on the attached sheet, a list of associations or prominent individuals in your country who are concerned with the problem of combating the traffic in women and children? What results of their work has your Government observed?\n\nAns. Associations:\n1. The Po Leung Kuk Committee.\n2. The District Watch Committee acting through the District Watch Force.\n3. The Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children.\n4. The Anti-Muitsai Society.\n5. The Salvation Army.\n6. Institutions such as The Victoria Home and Orphanage, the French and Italian Convents.\n\nIndividuals:\n- Members of the District Watch Committee.\n- Past and present members of the Po Leung Kuk Committees.\n\nGenerally speaking, it may be said that the detection of traffickers and the rescue of their victims is almost entirely in the hands of the authorities, and in these matters, the Police Department and the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs work in close co-operation. The latter has the assistance of the District Watch Force, a body of...\n\nPage 50\nPage 51", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-533-10 Position of prostitution in Hong Kong 16-1-1931 - 19-9-1931.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 543298, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-545-8 Annual medical report 1932 2-11-1933 - 16-5-1934", "page_number": 70, "title": "CO129-545-8 Annual medical report 1932 2-11-1933 - 16-5-1934", "content_text": "# APPENDIX A.\n## GOVERNMENT BACTERIOLOGICAL INSTITUTE.\n### Report for the year 1932.\n\nBy A. V. Greaves, M.B., (Tor.), M.C.P.S. (Ont.) D.T.M. (Liverpool).\n\n#### INTRODUCTORY.\n\n(1) Administrative.-Dr. R. S. Begbie Assistant Medical Officer of Health was appointed to act as Assistant Government Bacteriologist. Dr. Begbie was confirmed in his appointment as from 3rd March, 1932.\n\n(2) Buildings and Equipment.-No change of an important nature is to be recorded. A number of minor structural alterations, however, have been made which greatly increase the efficient working of the laboratory. In both general laboratory rooms upstairs and downstairs the doors leading to the verandahs have been re-hung so as to open outwards, thus affording greatly increased space.\n\nThe centrifuges have been moved into the media preparation room in place of two incubators which have been brought into the general laboratory in the space previously occupied by the centrifuges. The vaccine lymph grinder has also been removed into the media room. Increased shelf space has been provided in both downstairs rooms which results in a corresponding clearing of the working desks and greatly improved working conditions.\n\nA small research laboratory and microscope desk has been built into the alcove of the office of the Bacteriologist for his personal use; hitherto no working place was available for this officer except in the general laboratory which was awkwardly placed from the point of view of telephone, administrative work, etc.\n\nA complete renovation of the buildings was carried out during the latter part of the year and minor repairs made. The resulting improvement in comfort and appearance is great.\n\nThe only addition to our equipment worthy of note is a new refrigerator. The other machine was already badly congested and the situation becoming acute in the early part of the year, a second was purchased. It has more than justified its existence already.\n\nIt is hoped that a new and modern centrifuge will soon be obtained to assist the present old type model and to enable high speed work to be carried out.\n\n(3) Library. The following additions were made to the library during the year: --\n\n| No. | Title | Author | Year |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 1 | Approved Laboratory Technic | Kolmer and Boerner | 1931 |\n| 2 | Guide To Human Parasitology | Blacklock and Southwell | 1931 |\n| 3 | Tumours Of The Breast | Cheatle and Cutler | 1931 |\n| 4 | Surgical Pathology Of The Female Generative Organs | A. E. Hertzler | 1932 |\n| 5 | A System of Bacteriology, Vol. 9 | Medical Research Council | 1931 |\n| 6 | Report of the Laboratory Conference on the Serodiagnosis of Syphilis | League of Nations Health Organization Committee | 1932 |\n| 7 | Report of the Permanent Commission on Biological Standardization | League of Nations Health Organization Committee | 1932 |\n| 8 | Individuality of the Blood In Biology and In Clinical and Forensic Medicine | Leone Lattes | 1932 |\n\n(4) Publications:-The Use of Takayama's Solution in the Identification of Blood Stains, by Dr. A. V. Greaves, Br. Med. Journal, 21st May, 1932.\n\n(5) Research. It is a melancholy fact that research is practically impossible under the conditions in which work is carried on at the Institute. The volume of routine work is so large in relation to the staff which has to handle it that there is little possibility of devoting the necessary thought and time to any problems except such as can be actually carried out along with routine work of a closely associated nature. Also the absence of any clinical material, already referred to, severely limits the scope of such work. During the year the writer's attention has been largely devoted to attempts to improve the routine methods in use in the Institute and bring them into line with modern practice. Work of this nature is not of a kind that lends itself to record in an annual report and therefore cannot be detailed. Nevertheless, a good deal has been done in this way. An investigation of the methods in use for estimating the concentration of blood in solutions of blood stains was carried out and a useful method was devised for the purpose which has been incorporated into routine practice. A report of the method is in the press at the moment.\n\nDuring the small epidemic of cerebrospinal meningitis which visited the Colony during the winter and spring a quantitative estimation of the total protein present in the spinal fluids of patients suffering from the disease was made with the hope of later correlating the information gained with other clinical facts. The method used was that of McNaught (Jr. lab. & Clin. Med.\n\nPage 70\nPage 71", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-545-8 Annual medical report 1932 2-11-1933 - 16-5-1934.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 544621, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-547-8 Piracy- case of Rex v. Chung Tam Kwong 22-3-1934 - 14-12-1934", "page_number": 8, "title": "CO129-547-8 Piracy- case of Rex v. Chung Tam Kwong 22-3-1934 - 14-12-1934", "content_text": "# REPORT OF THE LORDS OF THE JUDICIAL COMMITTEE OF THE PRIVY COUNCIL, DELIVERED THE 26TH JULY, 1934.\n\n## Present at the Hearing:\n\n* **THE LORD CHANCELLOR (VISCOUNT SANKEY)**\n* **LORD ATKIN**\n* **LORD TOMLIN**\n* **LORD MACMILLAN**\n* **LORD WRIGHT**\n\n[Delivered by **THE LORD CHANCELLOR**.]\n\nOn the 4th January, 1931, on the high seas, a number of armed Chinese nationals were cruising in two Chinese junks. They pursued and attacked a cargo junk which was also a Chinese vessel. The master of the cargo junk attempted to escape, and a chase ensued during which the pursuers came within 200 yards of the cargo junk. The chase continued for over half an hour, during which shots were fired by the attacking party, and while it was still proceeding, the S.S. \"Hang Sang\" approached and subsequently also the S.S. \"Shui Chow.\" The officers in command of these merchant vessels intervened and through their agency, the pursuers were eventually taken in charge by the Commander of H.M.S. \"Somme,\" which had arrived in consequence of a report made by wireless. They were brought as prisoners to Hong Kong and indicted for the crime of piracy. The jury found them guilty subject to the following question of law: \"Whether an accused person may be convicted of piracy in circumstances where no robbery has occurred.\" The Full Court of Hong Kong on further consideration came to the conclusion that robbery was necessary to support a conviction of piracy and in the result the accused were acquitted.\n\nPage 66\n\nThe decision of the Hong Kong court was final and the present proceedings are in no sense an appeal from that court, whose judgment stands.\n\nUpon the 10th November, 1933, His Majesty in Council made the following order: \"The question whether actual robbery is an essential element of the crime of piracy jure gentium or whether a frustrated attempt to commit a piratical robbery is not equally piracy jure gentium is referred to the Judicial Committee for their hearing and consideration.\"\n\nIt is to this question that their Lordships have applied themselves, and they think it will be convenient to give their answer at once and then to make some further observations upon the matter.\n\nThe answer is as follows:\n\n**Actual robbery is not an essential element in the crime of piracy jure gentium. A frustrated attempt to commit a piratical robbery is equally piracy jure gentium.**\n\nIn considering such a question, the Board is permitted to consult and act upon a wider range of authority than that which it examines when the question for determination is one of municipal law only. The sources from which international law is derived include Treaties between various States, State papers, municipal Acts of Parliament and the decisions of municipal Courts and last, but not least, opinions of jurisconsults or text book writers. It is a process of inductive reasoning. It must be remembered that in the strict sense international law still has no legislature, no executive and no judiciary, though in a certain sense there is now an international judiciary in the Hague Tribunal and attempts are being made by the League of Nations to draw up codes of international law. Speaking generally, in embarking upon international law, their Lordships are to a great extent in the realm of opinion and in estimating the value of opinion it is permissible not only to seek a consensus of views, but to select what appear to be the better views upon the question.\n\nWith regard to crimes as defined by international law, that law has no means of trying or punishing them. The recognition of them as constituting crimes and the trial and punishment of the criminals are left to the municipal law of each country. But whereas according to international law the criminal jurisdiction of municipal law is ordinarily restricted to crimes committed on its terra firma or territorial waters or its own ships, and to crimes by its own nationals wherever committed, it is also recognised as extending to piracy committed on the high seas by any national on any ship, because a person guilty of such piracy has placed himself beyond the protection of any State. He is no longer a national, but hostis humani generis and as such he is justiciable by any State anywhere. Grotius (1583-1645) \"De Jure Belli et Pacis,\" vol. 2 cap 20 § 40.\n\nTheir Lordships have been referred to a very large number of Acts of Parliament, decided cases and opinions of jurisconsults or text book writers, some of which lend colour to the contention that robbery is a necessary ingredient of piracy, others to the opposite contention. Their Lordships do not propose to comment on all of them but it will be convenient to begin the present discussion by referring to the Act of Henry VIII, cap 15, in the year 1536, which was entitled \"An Act for the punishment of pirates and robbers of the sea.\" Before that Act, the jurisdiction over pirates was exercised by the High Court of Admiralty in England and that Court administered the civil law. The civilians, however, had found themselves handicapped by some of their canons of procedure, as for example, that a man could not be found guilty unless he either confessed or was proved guilty by two witnesses. The Act recites the deficiency of the Admiralty jurisdiction in the trial of offences according to the civil law and after referring to \"all treasons, felonies, robberies, murders and confederacies hereafter to be committed in or upon the sea, etc.\" (it is not necessary to set out the whole of it), proceeds to enact that all offences committed at sea, etc., shall be tried according to the common law under the King's Commission, to be directed to the Admiralty and others within the realm.\n\nMany of the doubts and difficulties inherent in considering subsequent definitions of piracy are probably due to a misapprehension of that Act. It has been thought, for example, that nothing could be piracy unless it amounted to a felony as distinguished from a misdemeanour, and that, as an attempt to commit a crime was only a misdemeanour at common law, an attempt to commit piracy could not constitute the crime of piracy because piracy is a felony as distinguished from a misdemeanour. This mistaken idea proceeds upon a misapprehension of the Act. In Coke's (1532-1634) Institutes Part III Ed. 1809, after a discussion on felonies, robberies, murders and confederacies committed in or upon the sea, it is stated (p.112) that the statute did not alter the offence of piracy or make the offence felony, but \"leaveth the offence as it was before this Act, viz., felony only by the civil law, but giveth a mean of triall by the common law and inflicteth such pains of death as if they had been attainted of any felony done upon the land. But yet the offence is not altered, for in the indictment upon this statute the offence must be alleged upon the sea;\"\n\nThe conception of piracy according to the civil law is expounded by Molloy (1646–1690) \"De Jure Maritimo et Navali\" or \"A Treatise of affairs Maritime and of Commerce.\" That book was first published in 1676 and the ninth edition in 1769. Chapter IV is headed \"Of Piracy.\" The author defines a pirate as a sea thief or hostis humani generis who to enrich himself either by surprise or open face sets upon merchants or other traders by sea. He clearly does not regard piracy as necessarily involving successful robbery or as being inconsistent with an unsuccessful attempt. Thus in para. xiii he says: \"So likewise if a ship shall be assaulted by Pirates and in the attempt the Pirates shall be overcome if the Captors bring them to the next Port and the Judge openly rejects the Trial, or the Captain cannot...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-547-8 Piracy- case of Rex v. Chung Tam Kwong 22-3-1934 - 14-12-1934.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 544636, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-547-8 Piracy- case of Rex v. Chung Tam Kwong 22-3-1934 - 14-12-1934", "page_number": 24, "title": "CO129-547-8 Piracy- case of Rex v. Chung Tam Kwong 22-3-1934 - 14-12-1934", "content_text": "# \n## \n\nThe question whether actual robbery is an **essential element of the crime of piracy jure gentium** or whether a frustrated attempt to commit a piratical robbery is not equally piracy jure gentium is referred to the Judicial Committee for their hearing and consideration.\" \n\nIt is to this question that their Lordships have applied themselves, and they think it will be convenient to give their answer at once and then to make some further observations upon the matter. \n\nThe answer is as follows:- \n\n**Actual robbery is not an essential element in the crime of piracy jure gentium. A frustrated attempt to commit a piratical robbery is equally piracy jure gentium.** \n\nIn considering such a question, the Board is permitted to consult and act upon a wider range of authority than that which it examines when the question for determination is one of municipal law only. The sources from which international law is derived include Treaties between various States, State papers, municipal Acts of Parliament and the decisions of municipal Courts and last, but not least, opinions of jurisconsults or text book writers. It is a process of inductive reasoning. It must be remembered that in the strict sense international law still has no legislature, no executive and no judiciary, though in a certain sense there is now an international judiciary in the Hague Tribunal and attempts are being made by the League of Nations to draw up codes of international law. Speaking generally, in embarking upon international law, their Lordships are to a great extent in the realm of opinion and in estimating the value of opinion it is permissible not only to seek a consensus of views, but to select what appear to be the better views upon the question. \n\nWith regard to crimes as defined by international law, that law has no means of trying or punishing them. The recognition of them as constituting crimes and the trial and punishment of the criminals are left to the municipal law of each country. But whereas according to international law the criminal jurisdiction of municipal law is ordinarily restricted to crimes committed on its terra firma or territorial waters or its own ships, and to crimes by its own nationals wherever committed, it is also recognised as extending to piracy committed on the high seas by any national on any ship, because a person guilty of such piracy has placed himself beyond the protection of any State. He is no longer a national, but **hostis humani generis** and as such he is justiciable by any State anywhere. Grotius (1583-1645) \"De Jure Belli et Pacis,\" vol. 2 cap 20 § 40. \n\nTheir Lordships have been referred to a very large number of Acts of Parliament, decided cases and opinions of jurisconsults or text book writers, some of which lend colour to the contention that robbery is a necessary ingredient of piracy, others to the opposite contention. Their Lordships do not propose to comment on all of them but it will be convenient to begin the present discussion by referring to the Act of Henry VIII, cap 15, in the year 1536, which was entitled **An Act for the punishment of pirates and robbers of the sea**. Before that Act, the jurisdiction over pirates was exercised by the High Court of Admiralty in England and that Court administered the civil law. The civilians however, had found themselves handicapped by some of their canons of procedure, as for example, that a man could not be found guilty unless he either confessed or was proved guilty by two witnesses. The Act recites the deficiency of the Admiralty jurisdiction in the trial of offences according to the civil law and after referring to \"all treasons, felonies, robberies, murders and confederacies hereafter to be committed in or upon the sea, etc.\" (it is not necessary to set out the whole of it), proceeds to enact that all offences committed at sea, etc., shall be tried according to the common law under the King's Commission, to be directed to the Admiralty and others within the realm. \n\nMany of the doubts and difficulties inherent in considering subsequent definitions of piracy are probably due to a misapprehension of that Act. It has been thought, for example, that nothing could be piracy unless it amounted to a felony as distinguished from a misdemeanour, and that, as an attempt to commit a crime was only a misdemeanour at common law, an attempt to commit piracy could not constitute the crime of piracy because piracy is a felony as distinguished from a misdemeanour. This mistaken idea proceeds upon a misapprehension of the Act. In Coke's (1532-1634) Institutes Part III Ed. 1809, after a discussion on felonies, robberies, murders and confederacies committed in or upon the sea, it is stated (p.112) that the statute did not alter the offence of piracy or make the offence felony, but \"leaveth the offence as it was before this Act, viz., felony only by the civil law, but giveth a mean of triall by the common law and inflicteth such pains of death as if they had been attainted of any felony done upon the land. But yet the offence is not altered, for in the indictment upon this statute the offence must be alleged upon the ... so as this act inflicteth punishment for that which is a felony by the civil law and no felony whereof the common law taketh knowledge.\" \n\nThe conception of piracy according to the civil law is expounded by Molloy (1646–1690) “De Jure Maritimo et Navali\" or **A Treatise of affairs Maritime and of Commerce**. That book was first published in 1676 and the ninth edition in 1769. Chapter IV is headed \"Of Piracy.\" The author defines a pirate as a sea thief or **hostis humani generis** who to enrich himself either by surprise or open face sets upon merchants or other traders by sea.\" He clearly does not regard piracy as necessarily involving successful robbery or as being inconsistent with an unsuccessful attempt. Thus in para. xiii he says: \"So likewise if a ship shall be assaulted by Pirates and in the attempt the Pirates shall be overcome if the Captors bring them to the next Port and the Judge openly rejects the Trial, or the Captain cannot ... \n\n## \n30", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-547-8 Piracy- case of Rex v. Chung Tam Kwong 22-3-1934 - 14-12-1934.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 548672, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-553-9 Empire Air Mail Services- participation of Hong Kong in proposed development 11-3-1935 - 21-5-1935", "page_number": 34, "title": "CO129-553-9 Empire Air Mail Services- participation of Hong Kong in proposed development 11-3-1935 - 21-5-1935", "content_text": "3.6\n\n3\n\nless; the Governor of the Colony proposes to substitute, for the revenue limit to the amount of the Colony's military contribution, a 12 per cent. levy on the rateable value. At the same time particulars have been received of various claims for the modification of the present system which the Governor would propose to put forward if the new proposal were not accepted.\n\n2. The Council have had their provisional comments on these questions embodied in a memorandum, a copy of which is enclosed herewith. The position as it presents itself to the Council and as set forth in the memorandum may be summarised as follows:-\n\n(a) The existing system of assessing Colonial military contributions is substantially that proposed by the Eastern Colonies themselves and adopted in 1895 on the recommendations of the Haliburton Committee. It has not been shown that it fails to answer the original purpose of graduating the Colonies' payments towards their general defence as part of the Empire according to their capacity to pay. It has worked for 35 years, and Lord Peel's Committee, which recently reviewed Colonial military contributions, suggested no alternative system. (Paragraph 1.)\n\n(b) The main criticism made against the existing system by the Governor of Hong Kong is that it offers scope for points of controversy; few such points, however, appear to have raised any difficulty between Hong Kong and the War Office for many years past. Only in the comparatively minor matter of making estimating easier does it appear that the proposed system would be an improvement on the present so far as the War Office is concerned. (Paragraph 2-5.)\n\n3.\n\n(c) The Ordinance No. 6 of 1901 which governs the valuation of Hong Kong leaves open for decision from time to time by the Colonial Authorities both the area of valuation and the minimum of rateability. Further the new proposal would deprive the Colonial Authorities of almost all financial interest in maintaining the rates. (Paragraphs 6-7.)\n\n(d) The comparison of the amounts of contribution under the present system and those which the new system would have yielded for past years suffers from the disturbing factors of the war and rent restrictions, but it is not clear that a levy on rateable value would be as good a criterion of Colony's capacity to pay as is a percentage of gross revenue. Valuation by an appointed assessor introduces elements of individual judgment. (Paragraphs 8-9.)\n\n(e) The claims for the amendment of the present system, reserved by the Governor in the event of the new proposal being rejected, are not fully stated, but they comprise claims for the assessment of net instead of gross receipts and for exemption from assessment of certain revenues hitherto assessed in gross. These claims, which are far-reaching in their financial effects, raise questions of the treatment of municipal revenues which were fully considered and decided against the Colony in 1895. More particularly the claims ignore the principle on which the War Office has always taken its stand, that modifications of the scope of the revenue assessable under the 1895 settlement can only be made if they are accompanied by a revision of the percentage limit on gross revenue. If, however, any individual claims for assessment of net instead of gross receipts are based on sound principles, the War Office is prepared to examine them. (Paragraphs 10-22.)\n\n(f) The claim for concessions on hospital and education revenues calls for notice owing to the departure from the 1895 settlement made in 1909 in this matter by the Straits Settlements under protest from the War Office and the Treasury. (Paragraphs 23-24.)\n\n(g) It does not appear that Army Funds are likely to gain from the proposed change in system; on the other hand there seems some reason to apprehend that in future years the yield from the new system might be smaller than that under the present system of 20 per cent. of revenue. (Paragraphs 25 and 26.)\n\nThe Army Council would not necessarily resist any proposal for the substitution of an entirely new system for the 1895 settlement if it were clear that the new system would avoid any important disadvantages without sacrificing the advantages of the old system and that Army Funds would not suffer in consequence of the change. The Council are not at present satisfied that these conditions are fulfilled by the proposed levy on rateable value. In any case the issues raised by the Colony's reserved claims under the existing system are so direct a challenge to the principles of the 1895 settlement that the Army Council are unable to agree that they constitute a genuine alternative to the proposed change of system.\n\n4. I am to submit these provisional comments for Their Lordship's consideration in the first instance. Meanwhile, copies of this letter and enclosure have not been sent to the Colonial Office.\n\nThe Secretary,\n\nThe Treasury.\n\nI am, &c.,\n\nH. J. CREEDY.\n\nHONG KONG'S MILITARY CONTRIBUTION.\n\nMemorandum regarding the Method of Assessment.\n\nThe Present Situation.\n\n1. It is an accepted principle that a Colony should pay in proportion to its means towards the general defence afforded it as part of the Empire. Originally, Hong Kong paid a fixed contribution in sterling, it was calculated on an estimate of the amount of surplus revenue that the Colony might pay, having regard to the cost of its garrison, without undue strain on its own capital requirements (to which surpluses were customarily devoted).* The disadvantages to the Colony of this procedure were\n\n(i) The contribution being fixed, it had to be paid without regard to fluctuations in the prosperity of the Colony.\n\n(ii) The contributions being fixed in sterling, the Colony had to meet losses (and they were considerable) caused by the depreciation of silver currency. The proposal to overcome these difficulties by levying a percentage on local revenue assessed in local currency was discussed by the Haliburton Committee with reference to Hong Kong in 1894 (Section 10 of their Report), but not until the proposal was also put forward by the Straits Settlements did they seriously examine it (Section XI, 1895), and it was then adopted as a principle generally applicable. This principle has continued ever since, and it has not been essentially modified by various minor questions about the classes of revenue on which the percentage should be levied.\n\nAt present, the military contribution of Hong Kong is based, in accordance with the above principles, on the cost of the garrison or 20 per cent. of the assessable revenue,† whichever is less. The Colony has almost invariably paid on the latter basis. The Peel Committee (1927) did not recommend any change.\n\n2.\n\nThe New Proposal.\n\nA new proposal has been put forward by the Governor of Hong Kong in despatches dated 24th June, 1926 (No. 298), and 28th July, 1928 (two), and supported by the Colonial Office, in letter of 12th October, 1928, to the effect that the Colony should pay 12 per cent. of the annual valuation made for rateable purposes during the year previous to that in which the contribution is to be paid. In form, this system would supersede that introduced in 1894-95 at the instance of the Colonies themselves, but that would not necessarily be a final objection to it if it were shown that it would yield the required amounts.\n\n3.\n\nThe main grounds on which the new proposal is put forward are three. In the first place, the Colony argues that if the new proposal were carried out it would then be possible to budget exactly for the military contribution, since the amount of contribution due in any particular year would be known before the Estimates of that year were prepared. It might be added that this knowledge would also be of some assistance to the War Office, since, under the proposed system, the War Office would know before each year's Estimates were prepared, what the exact dollar contribution from Hong Kong would be. As things are, both the Colony and the War Office have to work on Estimates, but the outcome of the revenue is always different and accounting adjustments have to be made every year. The new proposal would simplify accounting and, if it were adopted, the only element of uncertainty then affecting the War Office would be the rates of exchange at which the monthly payments of the contribution would be adjusted.\n\n*Haliburton Committee Report, Section 4, Appendix B, dated 1888.\n\n†See paragraph 10.\n\nActually the Colony's first despatch of 28th July, 1928, proposed 12 per cent. of rateable value; the second despatch suggested an additional per cent. if by that means a permanent settlement could be obtained.\" The Colonial Office's letter of 12th October, 1928, formally offered 12½ per cent.\n\n(18276)\n\n37", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-553-9 Empire Air Mail Services- participation of Hong Kong in proposed development 11-3-1935 - 21-5-1935.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 548693, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-553-9 Empire Air Mail Services- participation of Hong Kong in proposed development 11-3-1935 - 21-5-1935", "page_number": 55, "title": "CO129-553-9 Empire Air Mail Services- participation of Hong Kong in proposed development 11-3-1935 - 21-5-1935", "content_text": "70\n\na cause of recurring irritation in the Colony, and in view of its trivial amount he considers that it should be excluded. The lighthouse in question is not within the waters of the Colony, being situated in latitude 21° 49′ North and longitude 113° 56′ East.\n\nD. Anti-piracy Escorts.--Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister understands that the Army Council will agree that the revenue from this source should be completely exempted from assessment to contribution, since the service is organized in the interests of British shipping on a non-profit-earning basis.\n\nE. House Service Account. He understands that it is agreed that this also should be totally exempted. Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister will ascertain from the Governor whether there is any possibility of the Government making a profit on these transactions, and will ask him to ensure that, if such a profit should at any time be made, it will be included in the revenue subject to assessment.\n\nF. Overpayments. A copy of telegraphic correspondence with the Governor on this subject is enclosed, and it is understood that the Army Council are now prepared to agree to the exclusion of these receipts from the revenue subject to assessment. In anticipation of their agreement, the Governor is being instructed that the system of crediting these overpayments to revenue should be introduced as proposed.\n\nG. Waterworks. Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister does not wish to dispute the principle that, where the gross revenue of a productive undertaking was included in the revenue of the Colony at the time the percentage was fixed, it is theoretically improper that such revenue should now be treated on a net receipts basis without an alteration of the percentage. He considers, however, that a clear distinction should be drawn between the waterworks existing on the island of Hong Kong and in Kowloon in 1896, and any later extensions of these waterworks, and the quite separate waterworks which have been constructed subsequently in the New Territories. These New Territory waterworks should, in his opinion, be regarded as a separate productive undertaking, and in accordance with the first proviso of Section 3 of the Hong Kong Defence Contribution Ordinance, 1901, be assessed on a net receipts basis. The New Territories were not a part of the Colony when the percentage was fixed, having been acquired by lease from China in 1898. If the Army Council are prepared to agree in principle that the waterworks constructed in the New Territories should be treated as a separate undertaking, it will be necessary to obtain from the Governor of Hong Kong details of the revenue which can be allocated to them and of the expenditure which should be deducted.\n\nSir Philip Cunliffe-Lister will be glad to learn whether the Army Council agree in principle in order that these details may be ascertained.\n\nApart from the treatment of the New Territory works it appears that, under the second proviso to the Hong Kong Defence Contribution Ordinance, 1901 (as amended) the Hong Kong Government are entitled to deduct from the gross revenue from the waterworks an allowance in respect of capital expenditure met from revenue upon these undertakings. This proviso was added to the Ordinance by Ordinance No. 45 of 1911, the draft of which was concurred in by the War Office and the Treasury, and Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister is advised that the second proviso is not limited in its operation to the productive undertakings referred to in the first proviso. He would be glad to learn that the Army Council agree to a deduction being made in future, i.e., for a period of 50 years from 1932, in respect of the capital expenditure met from revenue on extensions and new constructions of waterworks since 1896, at the rate of 4 per cent. in respect of expenditure before 1915 and at the rate of 6 per cent. in respect of expenditure from and after 1915.\n\nThere remains for consideration the exemption conferred by Ordinance 14 of 1927, of sums sufficient to provide for the service of so much of the Public Works Loan of 1927 as was used for expenditure on waterworks.\n\nSir Philip Cunliffe-Lister considers that such deductions are justifiable, following the precedent of the River and Harbour Improvements in the Straits Settlements in 1906, when it was agreed that the revenues raised to meet the cost of this undertaking should be exempted from military contribution. In both cases, the effect of the expenditure is to increase the revenue of the Colony, and Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister considers that it would be only fair that the cost of ensuring that increased revenue should be deducted from it. In the circumstances he does not see his way to suggest to the Government of Hong Kong that Section 15 of the Ordinance in question should be repealed.\n\n* C. 82756/31 [Nos. 11 and 12].\n\nH. Treatment of Profits on the Sale of Securities. The Government of Hong Kong, like most Colonial Governments, periodically invests surplus revenue and later sells the investments as money is required. On such sales, profits or losses may be realized, according as the investments have appreciated or depreciated, and, in the case of sterling investments made by the Hong Kong Government, according to changes in the sterling value of the Hong Kong dollar. The accounting treatment of such profits or losses has varied from time to time, but the present practice is that such investments are valued annually, and the book profit or loss is shown as revenue or expenditure in the accounts of the Colony. The Army Council will appreciate that although changes in the value of investments due either to general appreciation or depreciation or to exchange differences tend to cancel out in the long run, they do not generally cancel out within any period of twelve months, and if during that period there has been a considerable depreciation of the Hong Kong dollar, a large book profit may be shown which will probably later be compensated by a book loss when the exchange moves in the opposite direction. If therefore the Colonial Government were expected to pay military contribution on the revenue represented by such book profits in years when such profits accrue, while not being entitled to deduct book losses in estimating the revenue in years when such losses accrue, the result would clearly be to impose an inequitable burden on the Colony.\n\nSir Philip Cunliffe-Lister therefore considers that the fair way of treating these transactions would be on a net receipts basis, and the best practical way of doing so would appear to be, while including book profits of the nature described in the revenue for purposes of assessment, to allow a deduction from that revenue in respect of similar book losses. Alternatively the transactions could be wholly excluded in the calculation of military contribution.\n\nA further consideration arises, however, in this connexion. The Hong Kong Government has obtained a considerable revenue in past years from land sales. In some Colonies, such revenue is treated separately from the general revenue of the Colony, and is invested in a separate fund. Land sales are not included in Hong Kong revenue for the purpose of assessment of military contribution; if the proceeds of such sales had been isolated and invested in a separate fund, Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister considers that the income of such a fund should logically have been exempted from assessment, and he has no doubt that the Army Council would have agreed. In fact, the revenue from land sales, which has amounted since 1896 to approximately $24,450,000, very considerably exceeds the amount of the investments at present held by the Hong Kong Government. Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister therefore considers that these investments could reasonably be regarded as having been wholly made out of the proceeds of land sales, and that income from them might reasonably be regarded as wholly exempt from military contribution. He would be glad to know whether the Army Council agree.\n\nIn this, as in the matter of the treatment as a separate undertaking of the New Territory waterworks and of the deduction of an allowance on capital expenditure on waterworks met from revenue, Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister considers that the Hong Kong Government could very well have made out a case for concessions many years ago. He does not now wish to put forward any retrospective claims, but he would suggest that the Army Council should take that fact into consideration. He would accordingly urge that the proposals now submitted for calculating the Hong Kong military contribution may be considered in a sympathetic and accommodating spirit. In this connexion he desires to draw the attention of the Army Council to the view expressed by Lord Haliburton, who acted as Chairman of the Interdepartmental Committee of 1895. In a memorandum dated the 8th of June, 1899, he included the following expression of opinion: \"If we wish to preserve the contributions, we should now, having established our right after great controversy, exercise it with very great moderation, and should meet the Colonies with every concession that is consistent with the preservation of the contributions.\" Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister feels no doubt that it will be possible to reach agreement on all these questions if they are considered in the spirit of that quotation.\n\nA copy of this letter has been sent to the Treasury for the information of the Lords Commissioners.\n\nI am, &c.,\n\nH. R. COWELL.\n\n71", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-553-9 Empire Air Mail Services- participation of Hong Kong in proposed development 11-3-1935 - 21-5-1935.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 564633, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-576-10 Estimates 1940 6-10-1939 - 22-10-1940", "page_number": 216, "title": "CO129-576-10 Estimates 1940 6-10-1939 - 22-10-1940", "content_text": "# HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.\n\n171\n\nI will conclude, as I began, with an assurance that the responsible elements of the Chinese community are prepared to assist in every way they can in finding a solution to the urgent and special financial problems with which the Colony is faced.\n\nNumerous methods of raising revenue alternative to Income Tax have already been suggested, and in their consideration the Chinese business community desires to be not critical but constructive. No scheme will be attacked only on the ground that it inflicts hardship or strain on any portion of the community. But the opposition to the institution of anything in the nature of a tax on income or profits, which I now have formally to record, arises mainly from the firm conviction that the disturbing effect of its introduction and the confusion attendant on its administration will, by doing incalculable harm to business interests, defeat the object which it is obviously the desire of the Government to attain. (Applause).\n\n**HON. MR. LO MAN-KAM.** - Your Excellency, - My Honourable friend, the Financial Secretary, in his illuminating \"Memorandum on the Financial Position 1938, 1939 and the Estimates for 1940-1941\", to which I shall have occasion to refer again, remarks: -\n\n\"As last year, the revenue for 1940-1941 has been estimated generally on the assumption that the economic activity of the Colony will be maintained at not far short of its present level. This may prove to be over optimistic, especially since the outbreak of the war, but the whole outlook is at present so uncertain that no other firm basis for estimating the revenue presents itself.\"\n\nWith the inevitable dislocations of trade caused by the war, and by the various measures dictated by Imperial war economy, and with new taxation under the proposed War Budget, I confess to a strong feeling that the Financial Secretary's fear that the assumption on which the revenue position is based may be over optimistic will, unhappily, prove only too true. I wish, therefore, to state that, in assenting, as a member of the Select Committee, to the Budget now before the Council, I have paid due regard to the Financial Secretary's statement in this Council on the 12th October, 1939 that the programme of Public Works Extraordinary and also the many items of special expenditure appearing in the individual Heads of Estimates, although approved by this Council and the Secretary of State, would not be automatically carried out if the revenue position did not justify the expenditure.\n\nThe above, Sir, is all that I have to say on the General Budget, except to renew a plea which has already been made by me in the last two successive Budget Debates in this Council. The plea, Sir, is that Government may be kind enough to make a substantial grant for providing charitable and medical relief to the Chinese on account of the Sino-Japanese conflict.\n\nAs I have previously pointed out, such relief is in a humanitarian cause which transcends any consideration of mere \"profit and loss\".\n\n237", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-576-10 Estimates 1940 6-10-1939 - 22-10-1940.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 564789, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-576-10 Estimates 1940 6-10-1939 - 22-10-1940", "page_number": 372, "title": "CO129-576-10 Estimates 1940 6-10-1939 - 22-10-1940", "content_text": "## PROSPECTIVE REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE OF 1940/1941.\n\n7. The net result, if the revised estimates of revenue and expenditure are realized, will be to increase the surplus of assets at 31st December, 1939, to $13,627,526. As explained in paragraph 14 below it is anticipated that the whole of this will then have been advanced against Loan Account.\n\n### Revenue\n\n8. As last year, the revenue for 1940/1941, which is put at $49,861,470, has been estimated generally on the assumption that the economic activity of the Colony will be maintained at not far short of its present level. This may prove to be over-optimistic, especially since the outbreak of war, but the whole outlook is at present so uncertain that no other firm basis for estimating the revenue presents itself. Account has been taken of increased yields due to the higher assessment and of certain other increased receipts, e.g. royalties from the Tramway Co., but no allowance is made for possible increases of taxation on the lines laid down by the Taxation Committee, which it may be necessary to impose if conditions worsen.\n\n9. The variations in the estimates for 1940/1941 of the principal items of revenue compared with the 1939 estimates are shown in Table IV.\n\n| ITEM | 1939 APPROVED ESTIMATE | 1939 REVISED ESTIMATE | 1940-41 ESTIMATE |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| Import duty on Liquor | 1,500,000 | 1,750,000 | 2,100,000 |\n| Motor Spirit | 1,700,000 | 900,000 | 1,250,000 |\n| Tobacco | 4,600,000 | 5,900,000 | 7,000,000 |\n| Duty on locally manufactured Liquor | 1,250,000 | 1,450,000 | 1,750,000 |\n| Assessed Taxes (rates) | 6,212,000 | 6,800,000 | ... |\n| Estate Duty | 303,100 | 1,250,000 | 1,250,000 |\n| Stamp Duties | 1,500,000 | 2,300,000 | 2,400,000 |\n| Water Consumption & Meter Rents | 3,000,000 | 2,096,000 | 2,785,000 |\n| Post Office | 2,927,000 | 3,138,000 | ... |\n| Kowloon-Canton Railway | 3,995,500 | 982,790 | 1,148,400 |\n| Land Sales | 1,589,704* | 2,170,000* | 1,250,000 |\n\n*Inclusive of $839,704 transferred from the Government House and City Development Fund.\n\n(i) Assessed Taxes (Rates); allowance is made for the increase in the valuation for 1939/40.\n\n(ii) Kowloon-Canton Railway; the revenue is estimated on the basis of the present working of the line.\n\n### Expenditure\n\n10. Expenditure for 1940/1941 is estimated as follows:-\n| Category | Amount |\n| --- | --- |\n| Recurrent Expenditure | $44,521,304 |\n| Public Works Extraordinary | $2,188,324 |\n| Special Expenditure | $3,478,550 |\n| Total | $50,188,178 |", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-576-10 Estimates 1940 6-10-1939 - 22-10-1940.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 568898, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-582-7 Taxation 6-6-1939 - 5-2-1940", "page_number": 74, "title": "CO129-582-7 Taxation 6-6-1939 - 5-2-1940", "content_text": "HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.\n\n171\n\nI will conclude, as I began, with an assurance that the responsible elements of the Chinese community are prepared to assist in every way they can in finding a solution to the urgent and special financial problems with which the Colony is faced.\n\nNumerous methods of raising revenue alternative to Income Tax have already been suggested, and in their consideration the Chinese business community desires to be not critical but constructive. No scheme will be attacked only on the ground that it inflicts hardship or strain on any portion of the community. But the opposition to the institution of anything in the nature of a tax on income or profits, which I now have formally to record, arises mainly from the firm conviction that the disturbing effect of its introduction and the confusion attendant on its administration will, by doing incalculable harm to business interests, defeat the object which it is obviously the desire of the Government to attain. (Applause).\n\nHON. MR. LO MAN-KAM.—Your Excellency,—My Honourable friend, the Financial Secretary, in his illuminating \"Memorandum on the Financial Position 1938, 1939 and the Estimates for 1940-1941\", to which I shall have occasion to refer again, remarks:—\n\n\"As last year, the revenue for 1940-1941 has been estimated generally on the assumption that the economic activity of the Colony will be maintained at not far short of its present level. This may prove to be over optimistic, especially since the outbreak of the war, but the whole outlook is at present so uncertain that no other firm basis for estimating the revenue presents itself.\"\n\nWith the inevitable dislocations of trade caused by the war, and by the various measures dictated by Imperial war economy, and with new taxation under the proposed War Budget, I confess to a strong feeling that the Financial Secretary's fear that the assumption on which the revenue position is based may be over optimistic will, unhappily, prove only too true. I wish, therefore, to state that, in assenting, as a member of the Select Committee, to the Budget now before the Council, I have paid due regard to the Financial Secretary's statement in this Council on the 12th October, 1939 that the programme of Public Works Extraordinary and also the many items of special expenditure appearing in the individual Heads of Estimates, although approved by this Council and the Secretary of State, would not be automatically carried out if the revenue position did not justify the expenditure.\n\nThe above, Sir, is all that I have to say on the General Budget, except to renew a plea which has already been made by me in the last two successive Budget Debates in this Council. The plea, Sir, is that Government may be kind enough to make a substantial grant for providing charitable and medical relief to the Chinese on account of the Sino-Japanese conflict.\n\nAs I have previously pointed out, such relief is in a humanitarian cause which transcends any consideration of mere \"profit and loss\".\n\n74", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-582-7 Taxation 6-6-1939 - 5-2-1940.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 569774, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-584-2 Estimates 1941-2 21-2-1941 - 11-6-1941", "page_number": 46, "title": "CO129-584-2 Estimates 1941-2 21-2-1941 - 11-6-1941", "content_text": "Complaints of a more serious nature have been made against this and other departments and I do not think I am exaggerating when I say that if more is not heard, it is because the people of Hongkong are so inured to the many failings of Government that they have come to regard them almost as part and parcel of the system, to be borne with resignation.\n\nThere is perhaps one other reason why one does not hear more.\n\nPublic Feeling\n\nThe Press is the usual vent for public feeling, but newspapers being subject to our very strict laws of libel, to the misfortune of the public in such a case as this, are not unnaturally careful, sometimes over-careful, as to what they publish. Sir, were these laws relaxed, and were there any assurance that the airing of complaints and charges which were not mere groundless and wicked rumours would result in something being done, the correspondence columns of our dailies would be full of the most interesting disclosures and revelations.\n\nAs things are, one cannot expect this, but today there are few people in Hong-kong who either do not know or have not heard reports of matters which have already reached even Government's remote ears, and which cry for investigation. Stories are circulating regarding the maladministration in departments whose importance is vital at the present time; it is the common belief that bribery and graft are rife; and the head of a department has been credited with the practice of nepotism in its ugliest form.\n\nSuch a state of affairs one has grown accustomed to associate with some Latin or Balkan States, with what justification I care not. That it should be permitted to exist in the Government of a British Colony is surely matter calling for the most searching inquiry. I suggest, Sir, that Government emulate the dictators in one regard, and take measures to purge its ranks. (Applause).\n\nGLOOMY PICTURE\n\nHon. Mr Shields on Need For Economy\n\nSHIPS FOR NAVY\n\nThe Hon. Mr A. L. Shields said: Sir, In the Budget now before us we have the estimated revenue of $56,786,000, the highest on record, but, nevertheless, the estimated deficit is $3,856,715, a matter of grave concern for this Council and the Public.\n\nThere are, however, some rays of hope in this gloomy picture, first that the recent and very necessary War Expenditure may be reduced and finally disappear, second that actual Revenue for the past three years has greatly exceeded the forecast and also the very heavy expense for emergency food reserves has been written off and should not prove to be a total loss.\n\nI wish to thank His Excellency for agreeing to omit or reduce several items of expenditure in the draft Estimates as suggested by the Unofficial Members of this Council sitting in Select Committee.\n\nI refer particularly to the proposed new Block at Police Headquarters at $800,000, which can probably be built for considerably less when the cost of building materials comes down to normal. This question of cost of building also applies to the proposed Infectious Diseases Hospital at $1,900,000 of which it was proposed to provide $500,000 in 1941/2 leaving a liability of $1,400,000 on an uncompleted building for the following year with a contract placed at present high prices.\n\nGovernment estimates of cost are apt to be largely exceeded owing to \"unforeseen circumstances\" and to changes found necessary as work proceeds. The postponement of the Hospital contract may perhaps enable unanimity to be reached on what is really required, a subject about which, rumour has it, there is some difference of opinion.\n\nIf the Hospital is an urgent necessity can it not be built quickly in isolated blocks on the lines of the huts in St John's Place? These appear to a layman to be much more suitable as children with say, Mumps or Measles, would not be under the same roof with Cholera or Small-pox patients.\n\nThere are, I feel sure, several items under Public Works Extraordinary on which further economies can be effected and I hope the Hon. Director of Public Works will do his best.\n\nI understand that at least one of my colleagues will speak on the subject of nightsoil removal being undertaken by a Government Department at a cost of $384,000 for coolies only, an item which once incurred will be recurrent.\n\nThis is a costly experiment at a time when War Expenditure is a heavy drain on our resources and one which I understand will meantime carry on the present system owing to the inability to provide improved receptacles. I sincerely hope the measure will be postponed until we can afford it.\n\nVessels for Admiralty\n\nI am not happy about the provision $4,700,000 for vessels to be presented to the Admiralty. This was authorised last year but no expenditure is anticipated for the financial period ending March 31 this year although the Imperial Government is in urgent need of destroyers or escort vessels for convoys.\n\nThe answer is, I understand, difficulty or delay in getting steel and special equipment which has to come from Home.\n\nCan we not help the cause more quickly and more efficiently by building standard ships which are also urgently required?\n\nWe may be celebrating a victorious peace before these special vessels are in commission whereas freighters will be in demand long after the war is over.\n\nMeantime, the liability for $4,700,000 remains in our commitments and is a large enough sum to influence any inquiry into the necessity for increased taxation.\n\nThe Hon. Financial Secretary's remarks, when introducing the Budget, raising the bogey of Income Tax came as a shock after the agreements reached last year.\n\nWar Taxation Revenue exceeded the estimated figures and the Finance Committee voted all supplementary expenditure for Defence. The Budget, since its introduction, has come within sight of being balanced.\n\nIf further War expenditure is required this Colony will not grudge it, but let it be raised within the framework of the existing Tax Scheme by revising the rates of tax.\n\nIncome Tax Proposals\n\nThe War Taxation Committee has been reconstituted under the pretext of an unbalanced Budget and we can only await the result of its deliberations but I believe any proposal to introduce Income Tax for ordinary revenue purposes will meet with even more opposition than did the suggested Income Tax to find money to assist in the prosecution of the War.\n\nThe items of expenditure which have been cut in the Estimates now before us might well have been pushed through if we had Income Tax, by the simple expedient of increasing the rate. In spite of the wish of the Secretary of State for the Colonies that development, Social Services, etc. should not be curtailed in wartime we have to face hard facts.\n\nWe must keep a tight rein on expenditure by Government Departments on their pet schemes which may endanger the solvency of the Colony at a time when we need some dollars in the till and some untapped sources of taxation to meet further calls for defence and I hope offence.\n\nThe lack of support for the last Government Loan should be a warning. The Public is deeply concerned over the high cost of Government, Pensions, etc. and about the carefree way in which Government spends its money.\n\nVICE AND CRIME\n\nVigorous Action Urged By Hon. Mr Tam\n\nNIGHTSOIL REMOVAL\n\nThe Hon. Mr W. N. Thomas Tam said: Sir, The Hon. Financial Secretary, in his speech introducing the Draft Estimates for the coming fiscal year, stressed the advisability of steering a middle course between ultra-conservatism and radical change.\n\nWith this \"golden mean of practicality,\" it is difficult to disagree; but while the Hon. Financial Secretary has adopted this praiseworthy policy in deciding what matters his Budget should cover, he would follow no middle course when it comes to estimating Revenue and Expenditure.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-584-2 Estimates 1941-2 21-2-1941 - 11-6-1941.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 570065, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-584-2 Estimates 1941-2 21-2-1941 - 11-6-1941", "page_number": 337, "title": "CO129-584-2 Estimates 1941-2 21-2-1941 - 11-6-1941", "content_text": "402\n\n14\n\nProvision for the grants in aid to (a) the Alice Memorial and Affiliated Hospitals, (b) the War Memorial Nursing Home, and (c) the Tung Wah and Associated Hospitals is now made under Head 16, Medical Department, instead of under this Head. The amounts remain unchanged except in the case of the Tung Wah and Associated Hospitals.\n\nHEAD 6A. DEFENCE, VOLUNTEER DEFENCE CORPS.\n\nThe increased strength of the Corps resulting from the war and the Compulsory Service Ordinance and the intensified training which is now being undergone have necessitated many supplementary votes under this Head of Expenditure during the current financial year. In estimating for 1941-42 it is assumed that these factors will continue to operate and the large increases shown under Personal Emoluments and various other sub-heads (e.g. Sub-heads 6, 9, 13, 17, 18 and 19) as compared with 1940-41 need no further explanation. Other small increases are accounted for by the increased accommodation now being provided at St. John's Place and existing Headquarters. The items shown under Special Expenditure are either replacements or additional equipment required on account of the increased strength and training.\n\nSince this abnormally large expenditure is a more or less direct result of the war it is proposed to debit, at the end of the financial year 1941-42, the amount of actual expenditure in excess of $150,000 to Head 32, War Expenditure, B., Extraordinary Local Defence, Sub-head 2, Military. The amount which it is provisionally estimated will be so debited is $494,091. $150,000 represents the approximate average annual actual expenditure on the Volunteer Defence Corps for the years 1934-38, i.e. for the five years preceding the war.\n\nHEAD 6B. DEFENCE, HONG KONG NAVAL VOLUNTEER FORCE.\n\nAs in the case of the Volunteer Defence Corps the additional expenditure under this Head is attributable to the expansion of the Force and increased activities arising out of the war. The pay and allowances of the mobilized members of the Force are of course a direct charge to Head 32, War Expenditure, B., Extraordinary Local Defence, Sub-head 1, Naval. It is also proposed to debit to this Sub-head, at the end of the financial year 1941-42, the amount of actual expenditure under Head 6B in excess of $40,000. The latter sum represents the approximate average annual actual expenditure on the Naval Volunteer Force for the years 1935-38, i.e. for the four years preceding the war. The Force was first established in 1935.\n\nHEAD 6C. DEFENCE, AIR RAID PRECAUTIONS.\n\nNumerous supplementary votes have been taken under this Head during the current financial year on account of the increased strength of the Corps of Air Raid Wardens and more public demand for instruction in Air Raid Precautions measures, and the provision made under Other Charges for 1941-42 is based on the assumption that these conditions will continue.\n\nSpecial Expenditure.\n\nA programme for civilian defence was explained to the Finance Committee at the time of the consideration of Finance Message No. 6 of 1939. That programme has been speeded up in 1940-41 and will be continued in 1941-42. For convenience of administration the provision for \"Fire Appliances\" has been transferred in 1941-42 to Head 10, Fire Brigade, the provision for \"Medical Stores\" and \"Equipment for St. John Ambulance Brigade Reserve\" to Head 16, Medical Department, and the provision for \"Lighting devices for Government Buildings\" and \"Fire Protection for Government Buildings\" to Head 30, Public Works Extraordinary.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-584-2 Estimates 1941-2 21-2-1941 - 11-6-1941.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 580115, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-593-2 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45. Includes 32 photographs depicting-... 10-1-1945 - 20-1-1946", "page_number": 24, "title": "CO129-593-2 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45. Includes 32 photographs depicting-... 10-1-1945 - 20-1-1946", "content_text": "There are several matters outstanding on this file and I apologise for the delay in sending it forward.\n\nThe fact that Hong Kong is now in our hands again makes it necessary, I think, to reconsider our plans for the establishment of a Committee to represent the University. Mr. Sloss, the Vice Chancellor and a strong supporter of an enlarged University capable of being regarded as an expression of British culture in the Far East is (or very soon will be) on his way home from internment. No doubt others of his colleagues on the staff of the University will be with him, and it will probably be agreed that, in these circumstances, it would be inappropriate for a Committee to be set up until Mr. Sloss can be consulted and take part in its deliberations.\n\nThis might, however, mean delay in taking steps towards the rehabilitation of the University for two or three months and the question arises, therefore, whether any work could usefully be done in the meanwhile in estimating, and possibly collecting the supplies and equipment which will be needed before the University can re-open.\n\nI do not know whether such work could suitably be undertaken by a potential Registrar, but we have received an application from a Mr. John Wilson in this connection (183). It was suggested (I think at the meeting held on the 29th of December last, although it is not so recorded at (9)) that it would probably be necessary to appoint at least one full-time officer to undertake the details of planning for the restoration of the University, and that such an officer might act as Secretary to the proposed Committee and later become Registrar of the University. (It will be recollected that Lt. Davis, now Chief Printer in the Hong Kong Planning Unit, was at one time proposed for this post).\n\nThe position in regard to Mr. Wilson is that Mr. Thomson sent him an interim reply to his letter, a copy of which is behind 18B, and we referred to the Vice Chancellor of Edinburgh University for an opinion on his suitability for the post in mind. The Vice Chancellor's reply is at (35).\n\nI am not sure that, in the new circumstances, we should be justified in holding out to Mr. Wilson the prospect of becoming Registrar in Hong Kong University until we know the position as regards the present Registrar. Nevertheless, we might take up the reference suggested by the Vice Chancellor at the end of his letter (35) and consider whether there is anyone who meanwhile could be looking into the question of supplies and equipment.\n\nWith regard to Sir Andrew Caldicott's letter at (28) Mr. Gent may like (a) to invite him to have an informal discussion on the points raised in it, with himself and Mr. Cox, or (b) to write to Sir A. Caldicott saying that his arguments have been carefully studied but that, in view of the changes which have taken place since our original proposal to establish a Committee, and as it is hoped that the Vice Chancellor and other members of the staff of the University will soon be in this country, it seems best that the matter should be left in suspense until it can be discussed with himself, Mr. Sloss and members of the Colonial Office.\n\nI submit two alternative drafts.\n\nPage 22\n\n6. 9.45.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-593-2 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45. Includes 32 photographs depicting-... 10-1-1945 - 20-1-1946.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 580326, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-593-3 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45 12-1-1946 - 27-10-1946", "page_number": 17, "title": "CO129-593-3 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45 12-1-1946 - 27-10-1946", "content_text": "The day was one of leave when the 8/. returned PR. MinBahu. 17 which that Staff will wish to discuss the draft with M.Zayd during any absence. 23.8. Taken 1 T.R.\n\nThe Secretary of State discussed the Report with Mr. Sloss and myself the day before yesterday. His instructions were that a further memorandum should be prepared to assist him in reaching a decision and to accompany his letter to Mr. Bevin and the proposed approach to the Treasury, bringing out more clearly than is brought out in the Report (a) the probable size of the University's student body and the proportions in which it is estimated that this is likely to be derived from China and the Colony respectively; (b) the proportions in which the capital and recurrent expenditure involved should properly be derived respectively from funds within the Secretary of State's sphere (either Hong Kong revenue or C.D.W. funds) and from a Treasury grant in which the interests of the Foreign Office rather than the Colonial Office will be more directly affected. Under (b) the Secretary of State would also welcome any comment on, or amplification of, the financial sections of the Report.\n\nIn view of Mr. Lloyd's and Miss Ruston's absence on leave until the 16th, together with Mr. Sloss's absence in Paris until the same date, the Secretary of State preferred to postpone further action on the matter until Mr. Lloyd's return when he would like it to be taken up again with him at once.\n\nMr. Sloss will submit written data on which (a) can be based, and he is willing to assist in estimating (b). Perhaps Mr. Lloyd, Mr. Caine, Miss Ruston and I could meet, with Mr. Sloss, as soon as possible after the 16th to settle the lines of the memorandum? Copies of the Report have now arrived from the printer and I suggest (i) that in the meantime the draft of the Secretary of State's letter thanking the outside members of the Committee (second draft on the file) might be re-submitted forthwith, (ii) that copies of the Report should be sent to members, who will be wondering if it has been printed and received, and (iii) that the copies for Sir Mark Young (A in Miss Ruston's minute of 20/8) should also go out now by air bag; those for the recipients listed at B in Miss Ruston's minute should no doubt wait until the Report has been sent to Mr. Bevin. In the meantime the Secretary of State agreed that I should mention to Sir Humphrey Prideaux-Brune that...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-593-3 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45 12-1-1946 - 27-10-1946.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 583530, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-597-2 Estimates 1949 1-3-1948 - 14-7-1949", "page_number": 226, "title": "CO129-597-2 Estimates 1949 1-3-1948 - 14-7-1949", "content_text": "## 2 \n\n226 \n\ntoo much on the continued rapid expansion of the Colony's trade. Moreover, it was only possible to include in the Estimates a token sum in respect of receipts from the Earnings and Profits Tax as the Appropriation Bill was passed by the Legislature before the standard rate of the new tax had been fixed. In actual fact, the decline in Hong Kong's trade with China was offset by increased transit trade with other countries in the Far East, and receipts under nearly every Head of Revenue exceeded the estimate. Factors which contributed to this result were increases in a wide range of licence fees and the continued rise in the population which was reflected in larger receipts from import duties. \n\nExpenditure has been revised to a figure of $120,071,359 as compared with the original estimate of $109,834,355, but it may, of course, be necessary to revise this figure further if the allowance which has been made for expenditure in London during the last few months of the financial year proves to be wide of the mark. This increase in expenditure is wholly due to the payment of arrears of salary to the Public Service in accordance with the recommendations of the Salaries Commission. To meet this, Finance Committee recently approved the issue of Special Warrants for $12,500,000. But for the payment of these arrears and the fact that many members of the Service are already being paid at the new rates, the recurrent expenditure for the year would have been slightly below the estimate. This under expenditure is chiefly due to savings under Personal Emoluments as a number of vacancies still remain unfilled. \n\nThe excess of assets over liabilities at 31st March, 1948, based on the revised Estimates is $30,562,300. \n\n**Financial Year 1948/49** \n\nas follows: \n\nThe position at the 31st March, 1948, is estimated \n\n| Item | Amount |\n| --- | --- |\n| Estimated surplus brought forward from 1947/48 | $30,562,300 |\n| Estimated revenue 1948/49 | $150,847,950 |\n| Estimated expenditure 1948/49 | $149,005,007 |\n| Estimated surplus | $1,842,943 |\n| Total surplus carried forward to 1949/50 | $32,405,243 |\n\n## PART II - MAIN ASPECTS OF THE 1948/49 BUDGET \n\n### REVENUE \n\nThe Estimates of Revenue are based on the revised Estimates for 1947/48 and assume the same basis of taxation. Allowance has been made for a possible falling off in trade during the year, of which indications are already apparent. The estimating of revenue always presents considerable difficulties, particularly in so far as items such as import duties and earnings and profits tax are concerned. \n\nNumerous adjustments, rebates and re-assessments are always made, and it is frequently quite fortuitous that certain receipts are brought to account during a particular financial year. \n\nDuties. The estimate of $40,050,000 is $2,150,000 more than the original estimate for 1947/48 but $11,950,000 less than", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-597-2 Estimates 1949 1-3-1948 - 14-7-1949.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 596934, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-623-8 Estimates of Expenditure- includes a report for the year ending March 1951 1-12-1949 - 31-3-1951", "page_number": 251, "title": "CO129-623-8 Estimates of Expenditure- includes a report for the year ending March 1951 1-12-1949 - 31-3-1951", "content_text": "361\n\n48\n\n# HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL\n\nEstimating revenue in these uncertain times is an unenviable task. A few sources of revenue can be estimated with reasonable accuracy, but some of the more important are liable to the most violent fluctuations from year to year, according to political and other developments. For example, receipts from duties in the last four years have varied over a range of more than $29 million but it is noteworthy that in 1948/49 when there were no windfalls our estimate did not leave much cause for complaint. We must base our estimates of receipts from such duties on probable local consumption. It is certainly not justifiable to gamble on windfalls which may or may not occur as a result of temporary unstable conditions elsewhere. Similarly, in the case of Airport revenue, we cannot pretend to foresee accurately what the future may hold. All that we know is that the air traffic has dropped for the moment to one sixth of the level last August, and we have to decide on a figure which we consider has a reasonable chance of being realized.\n\nA careful review of all the possibilities has led to the conclusion that it would be unwise to count for the coming year on a revenue of more than $192 million on the present basis of taxation. This is greatly below the figure which we expect to realize for the present year, but it is $28 million more than we reasonably expected to receive when the present year opened, leaving of course the grant from His Majesty's Government out of account. We have been lucky so far, but it would be unwise to disregard altogether certain factors which seem to serve as a warning against being too optimistic. I am told that sales of goods during the Chinese New Year Festival were not as satisfactory as in previous years. There seemed indeed to be an air of caution abroad, and money was not being spent as lavishly as in the past. Then the fact that almost the whole of the godown space in the Colony is taken up, and that the banks are forced to refuse to finance further imports unless they are furnished with evidence that storage space will be available, must give rise to a certain degree of concern. I repeat, therefore, that an estimate of more than $192 million on the present basis of taxation would in my view be imprudent.\n\nIncidentally this figure includes a sum of $250,000 in respect of a new tax on electric signs, draft by-laws in respect of which are now under the consideration of the Urban Council. The proposal is to license neon and other electric signs. Up to 20 square feet the fee will be $100 per annum. Above this size a further fee of $100 for each additional 10 square feet will become due.\n\nOnce again, in the final review of the estimates for the coming year, I was fortunate enough to have the assistance of the Unofficial Members of this Council sitting as an Estimates Committee, and I should like to express my thanks for all the assistance which they have so freely given me. The fact that", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-623-8 Estimates of Expenditure- includes a report for the year ending March 1951 1-12-1949 - 31-3-1951.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 } ]