Sessional_Paper_1900 — Page 268

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REVENUE, AND EXPENDITURE.

I attach a statement of Revenue and Expenditure (Appendix No. XIX) on account of the New Territory up to 31st December last, which has been drawn up by the Treasurer.

The total expenditure for 1899 amounted to, approximately, $233,000. Of this amount a sum of over $47,000 was expended on account of the Police Establish- ment whilst Public Works were responsible for about $112,000, chiefly for roads and Police Stations.

Three new launches are being constructed, and a sum of $31,875 has been expended on account of them. When they are finished no outlay for the construction of launches will be necessary for some time and a large saving will be effected under Transport" which is responsible for a sum of $12,114. Some of the other items are also non-recurring, such as, Matsheds $3,964; Furniture, &c. $1,381, while the expenses of the Survey will, no doubt, be very much larger during this and next years.

Very little revenue was collected during last year, as it was deemed advisable to push forward the work of land registration before commencing to collect Crown

rent.

The Revenue for this year from all sources has been estimated at $100,000, including arrears for 1899, while it is roughly calculated that the Expenditure, exclusive of Public Works, Extraordinary, will be about $175,000, $150,000 of which, in round figures, will be required for the Police Establishment.

The expenditure on account of Public Works will amount to about $80,000, most of which will be expended on Police Stations, the Táipó Road and the Survey.

LEGISLATION.

By the Governor's Proclamation of the 8th day of April. 1899, (See Appendix No. XX) it was directed that from the 17th day of that month all laws and Ordi- nances which should be at that time in force in the Colony of Hongkong should take effect in the New Territory also, and should remain in force there until they should be altered or repealed by legislative enactment.

Ac-

It was found expedient, however, to exempt the New Territory from the operation of certain Ordinances owing to local conditions and variations. cordingly an Ordinance (No. 10 of 1899) was passed by which the New Territory was duly exempted from the operation of a number of Ordinances, a list of which was furnished in a schedule attached to the Bill, and which will be found in Appendix No. XXI.

In addition to the framing a list of Ordinances confined in their operation to the old limits of the Colony, it was found necessary to pass certain new laws to be enforced in the New Territory only.

Three of these laws were passed during 1899. The first, No. 11 of 1899, was entitled "An Ordinance relating to Local Communities and Tribunals," and was passed on April 18th. Reference has already been made, to the Committees appointed under this Ordinance.

The second law passed for the New Territory, No. 12 of 1899, was entitled "An Ordinance to provide for the Better Regulation of the New Territories." This law entrusted the Governor-in-Council with the power of making rules for the farming out or licensing of the right to sell dutiable articles or any other commo- dity whatever; and to make rules for the levying, collection and custody of all revenue obtained from the New Territory.

The third law, No. 40 of 1899, was entitled "An Ordinance to provide for the summoning of Chinese before the Registrar General." This law was unanimously passed at the sitting of Legislative Council held on December 28th. The object of this measure is to secure the attendance of the people so that full explanations of Government measures may be given to them and so that the Government may learn from the people what their views may be regarding any proposed measure, and what objections they may have to urge when matters do not appear to be working smoothly. No enquiry under the Ordinance can be held except by direction of the Governor.