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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 7тп DECEMBER, 1895.
The large increase in the cost of the Sanitary Department appears alarming at first sight, but admits of easy explanation. It is on account of the additional staff required for the New Central Market and Sheep and Pig Depôts as well as for the cost of lighting the former ($7,000) for which no provision was made in the Estimates of 1895. Against this increase must be set the additional revenue derived from the new market and depôts. The increase in the Medical Department is accounted for by the appointment of a Medical Officer of Health who is borne on the medical establishment.
As a compensation for this additional expenditure various economies have been effected in other directions, notably in the Colonial Secretary's Office, the Registrar General's Department, the Magistracy, the Police, the Fire Brigade, and under Miscellaneous Services. Numerous offices have still to be dealt with on the lines recommended by the Retrenchment Committee.
In addition to the reduction of establishments, which has already been effected, the salaries of the Treasury staff have been re-adjusted in such a manner as to secure a saving of $2,246. Reductions have also been made in the Post Office, Stamp Office, and the Supreme Court Office.
From this statement you will gather that no favourable opportunity for effecting retrenchment has been lost, and you may rely on me to curtail expenditure, so far as is practicable, as occasion offers in the future.
And now, gentlemen, having dealt with the Appropriation Bill for 1896, I have to ask you to vote the sum required to defray the Charges of the coming year. If there are any items in regard to which further information is desired, it will be forthcoming in Finance Committee or when the Council is in Committee on the Bill.
I will now make a few general remarks on the condition of the Colony. When I addressed you on a similar occasion last year, it was my painful duty to refer to a dismal succession of reverses and misfortunes. We were then only just recovering from the shock of a great disaster, and were but beginning to recognize the absolute necessity of a large measure of sanitary reform. To-day I have to announce to you a great improvement in these matters. The resumption of Taipingshan was perhaps one of the largest works ever undertaken by the Government of this Colony. Thanks to the efficiency and tact of the Board of Arbitrators all claims arising under that head have been amicably and speedily settled, the Crown has entered into possession, and the "Improvement Scheme," approved by this Council and by the Secretary of State, is being carried into effect. As I anticipated, the cost of resumption has amounted to $821,000. Of this sum $386,000 has been defrayed from balances in hand, and the remainder has been borrowed from Loan and other Government monies in the custody of the Crown Agents, interest being paid at the same rate as the money would earn by temporary investments at home. This course has been considered more economical than, and therefore preferable to, raising a further loan or to an overdraft on the local Banks, supposing such an arrangement to have been practicable.
As regards the liquidation of the outstanding balance of $435,000 on Taipingshan Account, I am glad to state that the receipts up to date are exceedingly satisfactory. The revenue for 1895 will be about $2,363,000 and the expenditure about $2,143,000, so that I have reason to expect a surplus of revenue over expenditure at the end of the present year of some $220,000. If this forecast is correct, there will be a pro tanto reduction of our indebtedness, and the year 1896 should begin with a debit balance on this account of $215,000 only.
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