September 19; 1904.]
first readings moved the withdrawal of the original Amendment Bill. He said-It was laid for the first time before the Council on 20th February. A new Bill has been circulated, which it is considered will enable us to go forward at once,
the A8
matter W85 very fully discussed before the Council. While affording the Opium Farmer proper protection the new Bill preserves the trade in compounds of opium, such as opium wines and pills, and also preserves the export trade.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
PUBLIC SERVICE VOTE.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY moved the first reading of a Bill entitled an Ordinance to apply a sum not exceeding five million eight hundred and forty-five thousand four hundred and seventy dollars to the Public Service of the year 1905. He said-Sir, in connection with this Bill I beg to lay on the table the Estimates for 1905, a Memorandum explanatory of the Estimates of Revenue, a Memorandum ex. planatory of the Estimates of Expenditure, a Financial Statement in connection with the Estimates, and an Abstract showing the differences between the expenditure in 1904 and 1905, which I trust will be of some use to members studying the Estimates.
In the original Estimates for the current year a surplus of $76,959 was estimated.
The Revised Estimate of Ordinary Revenue (that is Revenue exclusive of Land Sales) for the year 1904 exceeds the original estimate by $55,083.
The
It is necessary here to point out that in the original Estimate a sum of $87,000 was entered twice by mistake. The original Estimate should therefore be reduced by that sum and the real excess is $142,083. The revised Estimate of ordinary expenditure, thanks principally to the high rate of exchange that has prevailed throughout the year and to some economies, is less than the original estimate by $166,248. Land sales are expected to realise $100,00 | more than the Estimate, but the expenditure on Public Works Extraordinary is estimated to exceed the original estimate by $260,944. result is that an additional surplus of 860,387, making a total of $137,346, is anticipated, which with arrears for 1901 less the balance of labilities of $62,711 with which we entered upon the year,
will give a balance of assets on 31st December of $207,635. Turning to the Esti- mates for 1905, the Estimate of ordinary revenue exceeds the revised Estimate for current year by $435,220. The Memorandum explanatory of the Revenue shows the increases. The Estimate of ordinary expenditure for 1905 exceeds the revised Estimate for current year by $268,191 The principal items of increase are shown in a recapitulation of the Estimates of expenditure, which may be of use to members. The Departmen's to which the principal new appointments have been added are the Treasury, Botanical, Education. Medical, Police, and Sanitary Departments. The Estimated Ordinary Revenue for 1905 exceeds the Estimated Ordinary Expenditure by $1,338.719. Land sales are expected to realise $500,000, while Public Works Extra- ordinary are estimated at the largest figure in the history of the Colony-$1,815,300, leaving an estimated surplus of $23,419. These figures I think are very satisfactory. I may mention that it is just possible that some of the items of revenue may not be realised, and should such a contingency arise the Government will bring before the Council methods in which it can be dealt with.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL seconded. HIS EXCELLENCY-Possibly as this is the first time daring my administration the Estimates have been introduced hou, members might like to hear a few words, from me with regard to them. The Estimates this year are practically obligatory Estimates, that is to say it has not been possible, even if it had been considered desirable, to start on any new policy or to make any considerable changes in the expenditure of the Departments. It is practi- cally a Public Works Estimate. We have entered into a large number of important opera- tions, into contracts with these operations, and have to carry them through. The principal ones are Waterworks. For these works we propose to spend $800,000 out of a total of $1,815,310, that is to say 44 per cent. of the Public Works Extra-
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
per
203
..100,000
255,800
Total
$.800,300
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of 8700 in aid of the vote Land Court, New Territory, Other Charges, for pur chase, refloating and repair of houseboat for use of Land Court Départment as an Office in the - New Territory.
RIDER MAINS.
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $30,052, for the following items on account of the Rider Mains Work, chargeable to Advance Account:→
ordinary vote. The other works to which we are | Tytam Tuk Scheme committed are the Bacteriological Laboratory, the Harbour Office, the Law Courts, the Western Market and the Post Office, all of which are in hand. For these $490,000 out of $1,815,310 | NEW TERRITORÝ LAND COUBT DEPARTMENT. áre required, that is to say 26 cent.; and again for resumption-the necessity for which cannot be questioned for the improvement of the sanitary condition of the town-we have estimated for $150, 00 or 8 per cent. of the total. Practically these are all continuation surpluses, and the new surpluses which are numbered 4, 8, 11, 12, 14 and 16 on the last pages of the Estimate, are comparatively small works. The result of this compulsorily large vote on Public Works is that for the Public Works this year the department, Re- current and Extraordinary, we shall spend 81 per cent. of the estimated revenue. defence against external aggres- sion-that is for military purposes-we spend 19 per cent. For maintenance of law and order. 12, 17 and 18, we spend 13 per cent. On 11, 6 and 19, we spend 11; for the Post Office. 5 per cent,; for public instruction. 14 and 15, 3 per cent.; and on general administration-3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 20, 21 and 22-in all 9 per cent. I think these figures must be of some interest as exemplifying that this is largely a Public Works Department Estimate, and that it is not one of contracts into which we can alter if we so
gone
For
desire. Certainly on the large expenditure on the water, which improves the sanitary con- ditions. I do not think any alteration would be desirable. (Applause.)
Hon. R. SHEWAN-Sir. I have only one remark, though it is not usual I know to criticise the Estimates on the first reading; but in order that the Director of Public Works may come prepared at the second reading I should like to know if he really expects the money put down to be spent? On a previous occasion the D. P. W. admitted that he never expected to spend the money.
HIS EXCELLENCY
was understood to say that doubtless the Hon. Director of Public Works would be able to satisfy the Council on that point.
The motion was agreed to. The Council adjourned sine die,
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
A meeting of the Finance Committee was held after the Council-the Colonial Secretary, Hon. F. H. May, C.M.G., presiding. The following votes were passed
|
FORESTRY LICENCE CLERK,
The Governor recommended the Council to rote a sum of $195 in aid of the vote Botanical and Afforestation Department, Personal Emolu- ments, being salary for a Forestry Licence Clerk, New Territory, from 5th August to 31st December, 1904.
PUBLIC WORKS.
The Governor recommended the Council to rote a sum of $300,300,, in aid of the Public Works Recurrent and Public Works Extra- ordinary, for the following items:--
PUBLIC WORKS RECURRENT. Maintenance of telegraphs * 3,500) Maintenance of telegraphs
New Territory Maintenance of Praya wall
and piers
2,500
1,500
Maintenance of Roads and
Bridges in New Territory... 2,000 Maintenance of Sewers,
Nullahs, &c. ... Miscellaneous Services Drainage Works, Miscel-
laneous ... Maintenance of Water-works,
City and Hill District Maintenance of Water-works,
Kowloon
2,000
4,000
9,000
16,000
4,000
-$
PUBLIC WORKS EXTRAORDINARY,
Disinfecting Station, Kow-
loon
··
Gunpowder Depot, Green
. $13,800
40,000
Island Harbour Office... Law Courts Market, Western Road across King's Park Water-works :-Ïytam Bye-
wash Reservoir
... 17,000
51,000
22,000 5,000
7,000
-PERSONAL EMOLUMENTS. Assistant Engineer, at £360 per annum— Salary from 5th March to 16th April, 1904
..§ 228.65 Full Salary from 17th April to 31st
December...
2,913.36
*
+4
Overseer, at £180 per annum-- Salary from 26th February to 12th April, 1904
...$.124.76 Full Salary from 13th April to 31st
December
1,478.87
Clerk-from 26th July to 25th October, 1904, at $960 per annum
from 26th October to 31st December, at $1,200 per annum
***
$3,142.01
1,603.63
$ 240.00
219.35
459.35
Total Personal Emoluments........$ 5,204.99
OTHER CHARGES,
Conveyance Allowances, $244 per annum- Assistant Engineer from 17th April
to 31st December, 1904 Overseer from 13th April to 31st
December
..$ 172.15
Estimated Cost of No. 1 Rider-Main
District Labour and Material Service Connections to every house
in No. 1 District Incidental Expenses
Total, Other Charges...
Total,
PRAYA EAST RECLAMATION.
174.86
. 15,000.00
9,000.00 500.00
24,847.01
$30,052,00
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $24,893, of which $16,892.05 is a re-vote of an unexpended balance of the vote Public Works Extraordinary, (24) Praya East Reclamation, for raising the carriageway and the footpaths from Arsenal Street to Jardine's Bazaar, Praya East, chargeable to Advance Account.
TELEGRAMS.
The Governor recommended the Council to rote a sum of $1,500 in aid of the vote for Telegraph Service-telegrams sent and received by Government-under Miscellaneous Services.
FIRE BRIGADE,
The Governor recommended the Council to vot a sum of $4,700 in aid of the vote Fire Brigade, Other Charges, for repairs to engines, hose, &c., gratuities.
This was all the business.
SUPREME COURT.
Saturday, 10th September.
BEFORE HIs Honour T. SERCOMBE SMITH (PuisnĖ JUDGE.)
AN INSULT.
Chan Sih Sam sued Wong Po Ting and an- other for $140, being money paid to defendants by plaintiff for the purpose of securing a passage ticket to London,” which defendant failed to 44,500 secure.
Mr. F. X. d'Almada e Castro appeared for the plaintiff, but defendant was unrepresented. After evidence was led, His Honour gave judgment for defendant with costs.
During the examination of the defendant he referred to England as the “Red-haired country.” The Puisme Judge held that the phrase was insulting and fined defendant $5.
HUSBAND'S LIABILITY.
K. H. Mahomed sued. A. H. Tavares (of the Victoria Hairdressing Saloon) and his wife for
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