Sessional_Paper_1901 — Page 576

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In 1899 the

most notable feature is the increase in cases during the year. ber of cases for the New Territory was 155 with an aggregate of 271 rsons. Of those cases only 23 were dealt with in the New Territory 1900 the total number of cases had increased to 586 involving 802 Dersons. Of these no fewer than 283 cases involving 393 accused persons ed in the New Territory, while 303 cases comprising 409 accused persons, ed in Victoria.

e increase is due partly to the more complete development of the Police ation, and partly to the greater readiness with which the inhabitants seek >tection of the Police by laying complaints before them.

y far the largest item in the list of offences is that of unlawful possession of

with which altogether 222 persons were charged.

LEGISLATION.

During the year 1900 the following Ordinances were passed in connection with New Territory:-

No. 8.-An Ordinance to facilitate the hearing, determination, and settlement of l claims in the New Territories, to establish a Land Court, and for other pur-

es.

No. 18.-Re-enacting Ordinance No. 8 with certain amendments suggested by Secretary of State.

:0. 30.—An Ordinance to extend the operation of such of the laws of this yas are not at present in force in the New Territories to a certain portion of 'erritories.

ecessity for this Legislation was clearly set forth by the Attorney General MAN) in the objects and reasons attached to those Bills. (See Appendix

REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE.

tach a statement of Revenue and Expenditure (Appendix No. 10) on account ew Territory, which has been drawn up by the Acting Treasurer.

total expenditure for 1900 was $243,361.66, exclusive of the sums ex- n the Police Establishment. Of this amount a sum of $58,196.25 was the construction of stean-launches, and a sum of $13,200 on the charter les required whilst the new launches were being built. A sum of $15,880 expended on Maxim guns with which it was deemed advisable to equip ce Stations. Public Works in the New Territory, including the cost of the

were responsible for an expenditure of $143,436.33.

;

expenditure on the Police Establishment in the New Territory amounted 292.48. I attach a detailed statement of this expenditure with which I 1 furnished by the Captain Superintendent of Police. (See Appendix No.

'evenue collected amounted only to $17,530.75.

sum is certainly small when compared with the expenditure, but the in connection with the land settlement, to which reference has been his and previous reports, have hitherto rendered it impossible to make a y collection of crown rents. The work of the Survey and of the Land progressing satisfactorily, though the rate of progress has necessarily what slow. When the survey is completed and rent rolls have been in accordance with it, the holders of land will have no means of evading ent of crown rent for their holdings, which will yield a good yearly revenue. e remembered that most of the money already expended on account of the itory has been devoted to works of a permanent nature which cannot fail 'ts development. The cost of the civil administration has not been large, e expenditure on account of the Police has been high, as it has been › maintain a strong force of Police in the interests of the peace and good nly of the New Territory but also of the Colony generally. It is hoped long it may be found possible to reduce the present large Police expend- ugh the New Territory does not pay its way at the present time, t at all improbable that it will do so in the near future. Any one who aclined to take a pessimistic view of its prospects should bear in mind t when Hongkong itself, which has become so prosperous, first came ich rule, there were not a few people who prophesied that the Colony e a failure, and as a matter of fact it had to receive assistance from ol Exchequer fo» «^me years.