September 28, 1908.]
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. previous year, and is increasing. Looking at the returns Í find that the exports to China from Hongkong were in 1901, 121; million dollars; in 1995,
121 million dollars.
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revolver on when cocasions the weapon appeared to me to be more decorative than needful, replied in answer to my query that he considered a revolver was not a thing one wanted very often, but when one did want it one wanted it very in 196, 124 million dollars, and in 1907, 1451 badly. That is how I feel in regard to the million dollars. Then we read of the estab- question of a quarantine station. Its cost was lishment of new factories at Canton and the formerly variously estimated at about $70,000 development of mining, all of which should but we secured the buildings for $3.000, and bring increased business to Hongkong, and with the expenditure of a sam of $8,500 this trade is increasing. The silk orop of 1907 was year, and of a sum given in the estimates, $7,500 a record one, and the increase in importa to put them in proper repair, and provide police (cottons, kerosene, machinery and paper) showed quarters andfencing, we shall, I hope, have a quar an increase of 41 million taels. The Kowloon rantine station capable of holding 1600 persons Commissioner reports in the same sense. Jank well fenced in and isolated and in the very site trade shows a net increase of twenty per cent. selected for such a purpose at an aggregate cost in spite of many special drawbacks in 1907. He, of $19,000. I think the Council may be con- too, anticipstes a brighter ditlook, and reports gratulated on the bargain. A sum of $21,400 an increase of revenue which is the second is provided for the resumption of a road leading best record. The idoress of imports from Queen's Road East to Praya East. This and exports from Hougkong is pat at 10 is in connection with a scheme proposed by million taels, and the tonnage of Chinese Government for rebuilding an extended area vessels is larger than In any year since in this direction, which will be a very grost 1893, and duties are larger than any for improvement from a sanitary point of view, and nine years except 1901. The will provide a new access to the Prays in a
prospects of the orops in India
are, I RE told, direction where it is very much needed. If good, and if no unforeseen "contretemps" occurs, Government had refused to co-operate, the whole India may again enter the silver market as scheme, which is a valuable one, would have fallen purchaser, and the exchange may improve. through, and the prevent insanitary crowding The orisis in Amerios which sugurated this would have been perpetuated by new buildings. ways of depression which has troubled the The matter therefore was urgent. The new waters even of the Far East, appears to have works undertaken are few and not costly, passed, and the outlook is promising. I be Necessity exists to provide the Land Office at godowns of Shanghai and Hongkong Taipo with offices and a safe place for the which A year ago were fall of aa. storage of a mass of records which are irreplace-saleable goods are now for the most part empty, able and very valuable. The cost is estimated and business man are looking for openings. at $10,000. No 2 Police station is inadequate Money is plentifa', and investors only want to its requirements, and a'joining native houses encouragement to embark oa new veatures. have had to be hired at considerable annual oost All this is no doubt the roseate view, and we to Government and great inconvenience to the can all find arguments to meet every hopeful police, Honourable members may recollect that forecast. I pretend to no commercial acumen, there is attached to this station a yard space and and I bave no export knowledge of the in- a number of small out-houses, and it appeared trioste causes upon which the riss and fall of to me that by the demolition of these and the the commercial barometer depends, but I joining up of the house to its neighbour believe that optimism is batter for human a cheap and effectual means of meeting the nature than pessimism, and is more likely to requirements will be effected. The cost is beget prosperity, so I give you my optimistio estimated at $13,000. A short stretch of road forecast and you can criticise it if you will, near Victoria Gap to open up some new resid- at your leisure. (Laughter and Appĺsure). ential sights will cost $4,300 and a similar sum is required for the constraction of a stair cas) from the ball room at Government House for the convenience of guests on occasions such as the King's birthday ball. This will save the annually recurring cost of constracting a temporary bamboo stairway, and will by a permanent and artistic addition to the fiae house which the Colony boasts as Government House. An additional room is urgently required at Queen's College at a cost of $8,000, and $2,000 is set down for a market at Aberdeen which is much required and will be remunerative. The total estimate for Public Works Extraordinary stands at $1,042.600, and the estimate of expenditure thus exceeds the estimate of revenue by $72,170. It is however, certain that we cannot again have a fall of 4d in the rate of exchange, which has been the main cause of the deficit this year. And we may, I think, anticipate with reasonable confidence the usual surplus of revenue over expenditure to cover the small excess. Should it, however, be otherwise, and this sum of $72,170 De Chargeable to the accumulated reserves, it would result in our balance at the end of 1909 being $886,956, and since more than this sum of $72,000 will have been spent on the typhoon refuge (which it was proposed to charge in part against the reserves; a proposal approved by the Secretary of State) the small excess of ex- penditure over revenue is defensible. I think it is more especially so when I tell you that the estimates of revenus have been framed on the basis of the results of a year of extreme depression in trade.
THE OUTLOOK, I trust that in this matter W8 h ve touched low water mark, and that the year 1969 will prove to be a year of revival of trade and return of prosperity: la such matters I believe that the wish is the father to the fact as well as to the thought. I have read with pleasure the hopeful anticipations ex pressed by the Chairman of the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank in this connection, and they do not stand alone. I observe that in the Im- perial Maritime Customs Commissioner at Canton's report, the trade of Canton in 1907, both exports and imports, was better than in any
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THE EVIDENCE ORDINANCE.
The ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the First reading of a Bill entitle lj An Ordinance to erlead a certain definition (a the Imperial Act styled the Evidence (Colpaial St1tates) Act
1907.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the bill was read a first tims.
REGULATION OF THEATRES. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the First reading of a Bill entitled An Ordinance for regulating Theatres and other places of pub'ic resort.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY Sɔconded, and the bill was read a first time.
HIS EXCELLENCY-Conpoil will now adjour a until the 8th October, when we will take the second reading of the appropriation bill.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
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A meeting of the Finance Committee was then held, the COLONIAL SECRETARY presiding. The following votes were passed :—
SANITARY DEPARTMENT.
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of Five hundred and twenty-five dollars ($525) in aid of the vote, Sanitary De- partment, Other Charges, for the following items:-
Language study allowance..... Head stones
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Total
244
$ 75 450
$525
The Governor recommended the Conncil to vote a sum of three thousand six hundred and sixty-three dollars ($3,663) in aid of the vote, Education, Other Charges, Grants, Principal Grants under Grant Code,
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of three thousand dollars ($3,000) in aid of the vote, Harbour Master's Department, E.-3tes mlaunches, Other Charges, Repairs,
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of One hundred and fifty_Dollars ($150) in aid of the vote, Botanical and Forestry Department, Other Charges, Library.
vote a sum of Five hundred Dollars (850 The Governor recommanded the Cou
aid of the vote, Police and Prison Departme Engines and Plant. B-Fire Brigade, Other Charges, Repairs
vote sum of One hundred Dollars ($100) in The Governor recommended thẳ Council to aid of the vote, Observatory, Other, Uharges, Laboratory Expenses:
vote a sum of Bix hundred and thirty, Long, The Governor recommended the Council Goy
Dollars ($634) in aid of the vote, Pabllo Works) Extraordinary, Miscellaneous, Compensation för the resumption of certain Lots-in Damarontion District No. 183,
vote a sum of Five hundred and ninety-four The Governor recommended the Council to
Dollars (3594) in aid of the vote," Harbotir Master's Department, A-Harbɔur Offičs, Other Charges, Life Saving Apparātus.
The Governor recommended the Counsť tó votes sum of sight thousand dollars ($8,030) in aid of the vots, Miscellaneous Berriom, Printing and Binding.
vote sum of Three hundred and two dollars The Governor recommended the Connell to
ordiary, Miscellaneous, Compensation for ($30%) in aid of the vote, Publio Works Extra- .
resumption of Lot No 3,212 in Sárvoy District IV, New Territories.
The Governor recommended the Council tò, votes sum of One hundred Dollars ($100) in aid of the vote, Medical Departments, À Repairs to Linnoh. Staf. Other Charges, Health Officer of Port,
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vote a sum of Six thousand eight hundred
The Governor_recommended the Council to
Dollars ($6,80 ) in aid of the vote, Pablie Works, Recurrent, for the following items :—
'Buildi g'. Maintenance of Buildings,
Communications Maintenance of Telegraphs in New Maintenancy of Telegraphs, .
Territories,
Total ...
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$3,000
3,000
...800
$8,800
The Governor recommended the Council to
of the vote, Colonial Secretary's Dapartment votes sum of One hundred dollars (9103) in sid
and Legislature. Other Charges, Newspapers, Periodicals, &o.
THE CHARTERED BANK DIVIDEND.
India, Australia and China on Sept. 24th, re- ceived a telegram from the L ndon office a 'vising that an interim dividend has been declared for the past half year to 30th June, 1908, at 18 por
cent. p.a. free of income tax.
The local offioa of the Chartered Bank of
Cholera has caused a stir in army circle", says a Mauila paper, causing the death of an enlisted man in the 28th Infantry and a delay of there days in the departure of the of the transport "Sheri- dad for the United States. The "Sheridan ' is Bow in quarantine at Mariveles because Frank Gilbert, a former soldier, developed cholera on the way down the bay and was removed from the ship as soon as she arrived at Márivales, Private Christian, Company 1, 26th Infantry, died at the division hospital on Monday evening, hating been removed to that place from the Cartel de Espana where he was seisel with the disease after spending the better part of the day in Pasay and the surrounding country.
wedding which attracted no little was celebrated at St Joseph's Reman Churob, on September 23rd, the cont Mass Aida Maria Alves The ceremon parties being Mr. Carlos Augusto da Bỗ
conducted by the Rev. A“ foletti, bridesmaids were Miss Lola Guitiorn and Miss Leonor da Rɔsı (sister), bridegroom was supported by Mr J; L- Alves (uacle of the bride) and Prof Emil 1 berg (ancle of the bridegroom); was afterwards held at which Alves proposed the health - married couple,'
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