647689-1893-Assessor-s-Report-1893-94- — Page 2

THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 22ND JULY, 1893.

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12. The Village Rolls throughout the Colony have been carefully revised, and the houses wholly re-numbered. I take this opportunity to thank the Honourable the Director of Public Works for the valuable assistance rendered me by Mr. KING, the Land Bailiff, in obtaining squatters' names, and in the identification of houses where the numbers had been obliterated, or where from other causes difficulties arose.

As the Village Lists are now more complete than has been the case previously, I have the honour to suggest that an Annual Valuation of the outlying districts is not necessary. If arrangements could be made for the Land Bailiff to supply me with a periodical return, half-yearly or yearly, of all changes in ownership which come under his observation, together with a list of new dwellings, &c. and those pulled down or removed, a general revision of the country districts, excepting the more important places, such as Shau Ki Wan, Aberdeen, Hung Hom and Yau-ma-ti once in three or five years, or even less frequently, would be quite sufficient.

13. I annex Table "A" giving a comparison of the Valuations of 1892-93 and 1893-94 for the City of Victoria, the amount increased or decreased in each district, and the net decrease; Table "B" giving similar comparisons for the Hill District, Hongkong Villages, Kowloon Point and Kowloon Villages; Table "C" a summary for the whole Colony.

14. I venture to express the opinion that the result of the year's work as shewn above cannot be considered other than gratifying. It certainly proves that "the Colony as a whole is progressing."

15. Mr. LAU-HI-To, my late Interpreter, died from Beri-beri on 3rd December last, and his place has been efficiently filled by Mr. IP YUK PUI, who is employed temporarily. The Clerk to Assessor, Mr. CH'AN PUI, continues to give satisfaction.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

The Honourable N. G. MITCHELL-Innes,

Colonial Treasurer.

No.

DISTRICT.

Name.

Table A.

CITY OF VICTORIA.

ARTHUR CHAPMAN,

Assessor.

VALUATION VALUATION

1892-93.

1893-94.

INCREASE.

DECREASE.

1 Kennedy Town,

$

17,225

$

18,940

1,715

2

Shek Tong Tsui, .

109,110

113,964

4,854

$

Sai Ying Pun,

637,115

640,770

3,655

4

Tai Ping Shan,

333,855

325,810

⠀

8,045

5

Sheung Wan,

418,345

412,830

5,515

Chung Wan,

1,288,080

1,278,005

10,075

7

Ha Wan,.......

148,270

143,815

4,455

8

Wan Tsai,

114,395

112,440

1,955

9

Bowrington,.

43,210

42,710

500

10

So Kon Po,

57,565

56,125

1,440

$ 3,167,170

$ 3,145,409

$

10,224

31,985

DEDUCT INCREASE,

TOTAL DECREASE,..

$

10,224

21,761

ARTHUR CHAPMAN,

Assessor.