636115-1897-Shipping-Charges-Commission — Page 1

THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 5TH JUNE, 1897.

GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.--No. 234.

The following Commission issued by His Excellency the Governor in Council is published.

by Command,

J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, Colonial Secretary.

[L.S.]

Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 5th June, 1897.

COMMISSION BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR.

WILLIAM ROBINSON,

Governor.

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Whereas it is expedient that a Commission be appointed to enquire generally into the charges levied by the Government on Shipping frequenting the waters of the Colony, and the items of expendi-.

ture or other charges on the Revenue of the Colony incurred by the Government in the interests or

on behalf of the said Shipping and with special reference to the following questions:-

པ

1. What sources of Revenue as detailed in the Estimates come under the heading of “Charges

on Shipping" ?

2. What items of Expenditure as detailed in the Estimates are incurred on behalf of Shipping?

3. Whether the original expenditure on buildings connected with--

(a) The Harbour Department:

(b) The Water Police;

(c) The Observatory ;

was incurred on behalf of Shipping? And whether interest on such original cost and a Sinking Fund to repay the same within a fixed term of years is or is not a legitimate annual charge on Shipping? And, if it is, what rate of interest should be charged, what term of years fixed and what annual sum appropriated to a Sinking Fund?

4. Whether the original expenditure connected with :---

(a) Building and furnishing with apparatus the various Lighthouses, including the Gap

Rock Lighthouse.

(b) Furnishing the apparatus at the Observatory.

(e) Constructing the Launches and Boats belonging to the Harbour Department, the Water

Police and other Governinent Departments.

(d) Constructing the Causeway Bay Harbour of Refuge.

was incurred on behalf of Shipping? And whether interest on such capital sums thus expended and a Sinking Fund to repay the same within fixed terms of years, is or is not a legitimate annual charge on Shipping? And if it is, what rate of Interest should be charged, what Terms of Years fixed and what annual sum appropriated to a Sinking Fund?

5. Whether the original expenditure on the Harbour Dredger and the Hospital Hulk Hygeia was incurred on behalf of Shipping and whether interest on such original cost and a Sinking Fund to repay the same within a fixed term of years together with the annual expenditure in connection therewith is or is not a legitimate annual charge on Shipping? and if it is, what rate of Interest should be charged, what Terms of Years fixed and what annual sum appropriated to a Sinking Fund and annual expenditure?

6. What proportion, if any, of the expenditure incurred by the Colony on behalf of the Military Contribution, and of Barracks Services "contribution should be assigned to Shipping?

7. What proportion, if any, of the loss resulting to the Colony from the absence of Crown Reuts and Assessed Taxes on Lands in the Colony under Naval and Military occupation, should be assigned to Shipping?

8. How the expenditure of the Colony connected with the Shipping frequenting Hongkong

should in future be met ?

Now therefore I, Sir WILLIAM ROBINSON, Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Colony of Hongkong and its Dependencies and Vice-Admiral of the same, in Executive Council assembled, do hereby under the powers vested in ine by Ordinance 27 of 1886 entitled The Commissioners Powers Ordinance, 1886 appoint you :-

1. Sir JOHN WORRELL CARRINGTON, Knight C.M.G., Chief Justice of Hongkong;

2. The Honourable THOMAS SERCOMBE SMITH, Colonial Treasurer, a member of the Execu-

tive and Legislative Councils ;

3. The Honourable Dr. Ho KAI, a member of the Legislative Council;

4. JOHN THURBURN, Esq., Manager of the Mercantile Bank of India ;

5. HERBERT SMITH, Esq., of the firm of Messrs. BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE, Merchant;

to be a Commission for the purpose of instituting, making and conducting such enquiry. And I do hereby appoint you, Sir Joux WORRELL CARRINGTON, to be the Chairman of such Commission. And I