710294-1868-VOTES-AND-PROCEEDINGS-OF-THE-LEGISLATIVE-COUNCIL-OF-HONGKONG-NO-5-OF-1868-SATURDAY-3RD-OCTOBER-1868 — Page 5

THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 17TH OCTOBER, 1868.

Appendix D.

399

be proved interested in drawing a Revenue from Gambling Licenses, whereas none of us can have the slightest possible interest in the matter beyond our desire in discharge of a duty to the Public to choose the least objectionable evil, whilst personally I prefer to raise by increased taxation whatever additional Revenue, may be wanted for purposes that cannot be dispensed with.

26. I have only to add before quitting this subject that current ideas as to the abstraction of large sums from regular commerce by either losses or gains at the new play Houses have little or no real foundation. The probability is that in former times there was quite as much play as at present, whilst whatever be the profits now they are acquired by men of substance engaged in general trade and are only so much added to their commercial capital. The Fees paid to the Colony are also destined to aid rather than impede progress unless they be unwisely expended.

27. The other new Branch of Revenue, viz. that derived from Stamps, has been estimated at $100,000, but I apprehend that the receipts from this source may fall short of even that limited amount. The Return which I lay on the table shews that the alteration effected by the recent Ordinance, No. 7 of this year, has hitherto not materially affected receipts from Stamps' but the general stagnation of trade has obviously an unfavorable effect on Revenue derived from the number and amount of business transactions. As however the Ordinance appears to work at present with as little inconvenience to the commercial Com- munity as can be expected from a Law imposing a new tax, I am unwilling to expand its operation so long as the finances of the Colony do not require such aid more imperatively than at present.

28. I shall not detain you longer with details affecting the Revenue side of the proposed Estimates except by calling attention to a slight diminution in the receipts expected from the Harbor Department. This arises from the lower scale of fees exacted now under the Harbor Ordinance of 1866, and not from any expected decrease in the number of Vessels frequenting the Port. It never has been the desire of Government to make a surplus Revenue from that source, and the success of the Ordinance in removing from the Colony the most dangerous characters, and Pirates, permits now some relaxation of the restrictions hitherto maintained over the movements of Native Craft in the waters of the Colony.

29. Turning now to the Expenditure side you will find that notwithstanding the efficiency of every Department is provided for more effectually in the Esti- mates before you, than had ever before been contemplated, there would appear to be a decrease on your estimated Expenditure, $828,000 for 1869, as compared with that originally proposed for this year, viz. $894,000.

30. On Public Works and Buildings it is proposed to expend no less than $155,500 as compared with the $65,500 which H. M. Government finally sanc- tioned for the current year, which latter amount however will probably be exceeded.

31. The expenditure on Roads, Streets and Bridges, however, is diminished from $105,000 to $69,000, but includes once more $23,000 for the Road to the Gap, which has already appeared more than once on your Estimates, but never A similar been carried through, owing to want of funds available at the time. observation applies to the proposed reclamation of ground near Bowrington, for which the same vote is proposed as in former years, viz. $10,000.

32. It would however be most inconvenient, if I were to attempt to explain now every item of Expenditure. It is very desirable you should have the fullest explanations on each, but the details could not be compressed within the reason- able limits of an address such as this.

33. I invite attention, however, to some entirely new items, such as that of $15,000 for good conduct pay and special services of the Police. Till my efforts to obtain a superior class of European Police shall be more successful, than hitherto, I object to an indiscriminate raising of the salaries of the different classes, though as you will perceive, a considerable addition has been made in that way also. "I prefer holding out special inducements for learning Chinese and rewards for such services as may exhibit unusual intelligence and activity.

34. The Government has at least learned by the experiment recently insti-