THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 26TH NOVEMBER, 1879. 717
Now, gentlemen, with respect to the Estimates which I propose to lay upon the table, it has been hitherto my practice to submit from time to time the details of the Estimates to the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council, so that in fact the Finance Committee had before them the applications, more or less numerous, for increase of pay, the various applications of the Surveyor General for the expenditure of public money, and the applications of the officers who have the spending of money in other departments. But instead of pursuing that course this year I have, under instructions from the Secretary of State, adopted the course I am now taking, which is that of laying the Estimates before you on my own responsibility, and then, after the statement I make to-day, and to-day's pro- ceedings close, the Council will be able to adjourn when the Finance Committee can go through the Estimates, and then, at a reasonable time, the Council will meet and deal with the Appropriation Ordinance embodying the Estimates.
The revenue that my honourable friend the Acting Colonial Treasurer, Mr. TONNOCHY, anticipates for the year 1880 is based upon the actual receipts which he finds recorded in his books for the first nine months of 1879. My Honourable friend arrives at the conclusion that our revenue will reach the figure of $1,017,956. You will notice that under the head of taxes there is a falling-off. This is to be accounted for by the fact that under the head of Stamps I estimate for $115,000 only and under the head of Police assessment, Water rate, Lighting rate, and Fire Brigade rate, I anticipate receiving a smaller sum than was actually received in the year 1878. But, as you are no doubt aware, the falling off in the house tax arises from the fact, not that the Colony is less prosperous, not that we have fewer houses--for even in spite of the fire that destroyed 366 houses in December 1878 we have more houses at this moment than we had at any other period in the history of the colony-but it arises from the fact that last year I took the responsibility of reducing the rate from twelve per cent, to ten per cent. When I referred in my financial statement last year to the possibility of a reduction in taxation I drew your attention to the fact that there was a great difference between reducing such a tax as that levied on the native junk trade and reducing the house-tax, inasmuch as I stated that the former would require a legislative enactment, which it would be very difficult to go back upon, whereas the Governor in Executive Council is bound to review every year the question of the house-tax, and determine what should be the rate for the ensuing year. Therefore the reduction in that rate for the current year was not constituted a permanent reduction. I may inform the Council that an important proposal has been submitted to me by three gentlemen,-my Honourable friend the senior unofficial member (Mr. RYRIE), and two of the officers of the Government suggesting that water tanks be erected along the side of the hill overlooking the town to provide a supply of water for the extinction of fires. A de- putation waited upon me and expressed, on behalf of the community, an earnest desire that the views of that Committee should be carried out. I have reported that to the Secretary of State. The estimate for the proposed scheme amounts to $50,000, and if I am called upon to expend that sum for this purpose I think I may appeal to you, and the whole community that for getting that sum-or $30,000 at all events-I would be fully justified in asking the householders to contribute, and therefore it would be my duty next month, when I have to consider this question of the house rates, if Her Majesty's Gov- ernment approve of the expenditure, to re-impose the two per cent. to get the money to pay for that which is practically a fire brigade service, and of course affects, more than any other, the actual house- holders. At the present time you won't find this $50,000 included in the Estimates, because it requires the sanction of the Secretary of State; and you will see that the Colonial Treasurer has estimated the house-rates at the lower rate of ten and not twelve per cent.
There is a change, under the head of Postage. The amount of expenditure has increased and the receipts have also increased. On that subject it is only necessary to remind you that for some time past-for a year or two--there has been a question, which has not been discussed at this Council table, but has been discussed in another form, as to how far the Postal revenue is correctly stated on the Estimates. I entertain a decided opinion that we should deal with postal revenue as with everything else, that the Postmaster should include in his estimate of expenditure all the money expended, and in his estimate of receipts the gross receipts. However, he entertained a different opinion and handed in figures of a different character. This occurred during my absence in Japan. Mr. MARSH referred these figures back to him, pointing out what was the practice elsewhere, and what he himself, with his experience as Auditor General, thought was the proper one to be followed. On returning to the Colony, I therefore placed before the Treasurer the figures which the Audit Office had resolved upon on a careful investigation of the whole subject, which were the figures showing the gross receipts and gross expenditure.
The total estimated expenditure is $964,355, and as the estimated revenue is $1,017,956, the estimated surplus on the transactions of the year 1880 is $53,601. The most important change is that under the head of Police. Now the question of the Police Force in this Colony has engaged the attention of the Government more than once. We have had of late years two Committees or Commis- sions sitting upon the subject. I appointed a Committee presided over by my lamented friend, Mr. MAY, to investigate the question of Police and crime in the Colony. I had previously taken the responsibility, I think in August, or September, 1878, of giving instructions to Mr. DEANE, the Captain Superintendent, to strengthen the night force, and I pointed out the desirability of having the night duties of the force increased thirty-three per cent. The Committee I appointed
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