•87
No. 5.
HONGKONG.
REPORT BY THE COLONIAL TREASURER ON THE ASSESSMENT OF MUNICIPAL TAXES IN HONGKONG FOR THE YEAR 1885-86, AND THE INCREASE OF THE POLICE RATE.
Presented to the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Governor.
(1.)
The system of entrusting the valuation of house property to two officers who have other duties to perform has been abandoned, and replaced by that of appoint- ing a trained valuer sent out from home, who, when not engaged in valuing, is a Clerk of Works in the Public Works Department. This change has effected an increase in the total valuation of property in the Colony of about seven per cent., which, however, includes new buildings and improvements.
The total for 1885-86, is
77
};
1884, was
Increase,.....
..$2,565,544 2,404,302
.$ 161,242
Of this, however, it is possible that an amount not exceeding $20,000 may be struck off on appeals which are still pending,
The year for rating purposes has been made July 1st to June 30th, so as to allow of the valuation being carried out in the cool season, instead of, as heretofore, being made at the very hottest season of the year.
It was found that the charge of 74 per cent. as a Police Rate did not meet the mere current charges of the Police Force, without allowing anything for pensions, rent, and up-keep of Stations, or for the new Stations which are so urgently needed. The expenditure on the Police Force during 1884, was
whilst the collection of Police Rates, was
Deficiency,..
$216,562 172,617
$ 43,945
It was therefore decided to increase the Police Rate in Victoria, from 7 to 83 per cent., and in the villages, from 5 to 6 per cent. This increase should yield an additional Revenue, as follows:-
In Victoria, of....
In the Villages, of........
Total,...
.$39,385
3,541
$42,926
A copy of the Notification by which this was effected is attached.
Hongkong, September 1st, 1885.
A. LISTER, Treasurer.
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