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SOIT
OIT.
THE HONGKONG
Government Gazette.
Published by Authority.
No. 46.
VICTORIA, SATURDAY, 16TH NOVEMBER, 1878.
VOL. XXIV.
MEETING OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
The following Report, extracted from the Daily Press, is published for general information.
A meeting of the Legislative Council was held on Monday, the 11th November. There were present:-
His Excellency Governor POPE HENNESSY, C.M.G.
Honourable F. SNOWDEN, (Acting Chief Justice). Honourable C. MAY, (Acting Colonial Secretary).
Honourable G. PHILLIPPO, (Attorney General).
Honourable P. RYRIE.
Honourable W. KESWICK.
Honourable H. Lowcock.
Honourable T. C. HAYLLAR, Q.C.
THE ESTIMATES.
His EXCELLENC` Gentleman, Lacoupicu So much of time recenti in a Financial Statement that in laying before you to-day the stimates for 1879, I will confine myself to merely telling you the Treasurer's Estimate of thi Expenditure and Revenue, with perhaps one or two remarks. My Honourable friend Mr. PRICE is unfortunately not here to-day owing to illness, but I hold in my hand the Estimate of Revenue, which amounts to $998,636. That Estimate is exclusive of a sum of about we will say $6,000, which we will obtain under Ordinance 10 of 1867, but which is no longer included under the head of General Revenue, but will be used for the purposes of that Act. If that sum had been included, as in former years, our Estimate of Revenue would be over $1,000,000. I have further to tell you Mr. PRICE very properly estimated the Revenue from the Opium Farm at $132,000, the sum received for it ́in 1878, whereas you are doubtless aware we will actually receive, I hope, a considerably larger sum for the Opium Farm in 1879. I am not at this moment quite in a position to say what increase is anticipated, but I am certain from the offers sent in we will receive a larger sum than the sum received this year; but in preparing this Estimate, Mr. PRICE very properly places the Opium Farm simply at the present figure. Then there is put down a sum of $26,500 for the Spirit Revenue, and you are also aware it is extremely likely we shall receive a good deal more than that, if, with your consent, I establish a Spirit Farm. So far for the Revenue. The Expenditure is estimated at $932,286; in other words, you will see our Revenue is in excess of the Expenditure. You will have all the details before you when the Estimates are printed, and then at the next meeting we can enter fully into discussion on the various details. On this occasion, simply reading the Bill a first time, I suppose we will have no discussion, though on my part I shall offer no objection to any discussion any member may choose to originate. But at the present time I may say our Revenue is in excess of our Expenditure, and considerably in excess for next year, so that in considering the Estimates in detail you will bear in mind what I said on the last occasion, that it may be possible for us to do something in the way of remission of taxation, and on that I wish you to consider before the next meeting two questions. First, I would put before you the question whether we might not remove the licence on native junks. The Revenue from that source is $20,000. The next question will be the reduction of our house tax. of course, aware that any reduction of the house tax would be really made by the Governor in Executive Council, that is, it will be my duty next month to fix the rate for next year. At present it is twelve per cent. I hope to be able to reduce it, but whatever is fixed I would like to have your approval. As to the licence on junks, that is in a different position. If we sweep away the licence we shall have to sweep away those portions of the Ordinance imposing the licence on junks, and having done that it is not likely it would be re-imposed. On the order hand, if we reduce the house tax and in years to come any deficiency occurs, which I hope may not be the case, the tax can be increased if necessary be the Governor in Executive Council. Therefore it will be for you to consider and inform me what course you think ought to be taken with However that may be, the regard to these two items. It is possible also your experience may suggest some other items. Estimates I hold in my hand will be printed and distributed, and then we shall have an opportunity of going more fully with them. I should like to meet again this week if convenient.
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