Sessional_Paper_1900 — Page 47

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Empire for these sanguinary murders, and the gross violation of the universal inviolability of Diplomatic Missions.

The present effect of this position upon Hongkong is to increase its income. Large numbers of transports have passed through the Port bearing Troops of all Nations, and money has been spent. Considerable sums have been sent down from China to be invested under the ægis of British security in the Colony, and the godowns are taxed to their utmost capacity for the storage of merchandise. But it must be remembered that this apparent plethora of business is caused to a great extent by the unreadiness of Chinese buyers to take delivery in consequence of the uncertainty of the trade conditions in the interior, and we must look forward to a possible diminution in the volume of trade during the ensuing year. I regret to say that during the present year we have again been visited by a serious epidemic of plague, the number of cases up to the present being 1,065, and the number of deaths 1,007, or 94.5%. I have directed that returns similar to those of last year shall be prepared in the hope that ultimately the comparison of returns may afford some clue to the conditions especially favourable to this scourge. I can vouch for the activity of the Sani- tary Board, but so far nothing that has been done appears to affect the high death rate of those stricken with the disease. The systematic killing of rats has been actively carried out and this year up to the present 40,500 have been destroyed. It is possible that this may account for the diminution of the number of cases as compared with last year.

The condition of the New Territory is satisfactory and the people now realize the bene- fits of effective protection of life and property. The collection of Land Revenue has been delayed owing to the necessity of having an accurate Survey of the land occupied, and the determination of rights of occupancy, on which subject many conflicting claims have been entered. The Survey is being rapidly carried out by a staff of surveyors, lent by the Indian Government, and the Land Court has been established, which will begin its operations in November. The Main Road projected for easy access to the New Territory in all weathers has now been completed to deep water in Mirs Bay, north of Shatin, and will be pushed for- ward to Táipó Hü during the coming year.

The estimated Revenue for 1901 is $3,909,349.00 and the estimated expenditure $3,994,270.29 making a deficit of $84,921.29. These figures do not include an estimated surplus in hand at the end of the current year of $846,507.00.

Having regard to the great uncertainty of the China trade in the immediate future it is desirable to have a substantial balance in hand and in considering the Public Works E- traordinary submitted in the Estimates, it must be further borne in mind that a large expen diture on Sanitary Works may become necessary. I therefore invite you to scrutinise carefully the Public Works Extraordinary that will be submitted to you. In the meantime plaus of all these works have been prepared and will accompany the Estimates when sub- mitted to the Secretary of State, so that no time shall be lost in carrying out the Works finally approved by him. I am happy to inform you that the plans of the Law Courts have been finally approved and the foundations are being proceeded with, and the long deferred Jubilee Road round Mount Davis will be undertaken by private contractors without delay. The extensive public and private works now in progress or projected, involving the expen diture of many millions of dollars may, however, exhaust the available supply of labour and modify our estimate of the time in which proposed public works may be completed.

The following Bills will be submitted to you :-

A Bill entitled An Ordinance to apply a sum not exceeding Three million Three hundred and Eighty thousand One hundred and Thirty-four Dollars and Twenty-nine Cents to the Public Service of the Year 1901.

A Bill entitled An Ordinance to consolidate and amend the Laws relating to the

Post Office.

A Bill entitled An Ordinance to provide more effectual means to ensure the obser

vance, by those in charge of certain steam launches, of reasonable precautions against piracy and robbery.

A Bill entitled An Ordinance to amend the Law with respect to the Jurisdiction exerciseable in cases relating to the Receipt or Possession of Stolen Property. A Bill entitled An Ordinance to extend the operation of such of the Laws of this Colony as are not at present in force in the New Territories to a certain portion of such New Territories.

A Bill entitled An Ordinance to further amend The Raw Opium Ordinance, 1887. A Bill entitled An Ordinance to amend the Widows and Orphans Persion Fund

Ordinance, 1900.

I commend them to your careful consideration, and I earnestly hope that the shadow of disturbance that now broods over the Far East may pass away after such a settlement as will insure to all men security for person and property, when peaceably pursuing their lawful avocations,