29th Nor.
Tue speech of H.E. the Governor of Hongkong, Sir William Robinson, K.C. ING., on the re-assembling of the Legislative Council on the 16th instant, is, in its straightforward and businesslike character, a strong contrast to those of some of his predecessors in the government of this impulsive colony. He the Council and explaining "a state of affairs, so far as finance is concerned, which cannot be considered entirely satisfactory." It would hardly interest our readers to give all the details of the income and expenditure of the colony in 1892 presented by the Governor, but we find that the. actual receipts are $2,067,216, and the total expenilitire, ordinary and extraordinary, $2,365,000, leaving a deficit of $297,784. On' the other hand. the ordinary' revenue as distinct from receipts is $1,997,216, and the ordinary, over to his view, and when these altera-expenditure $1,782,000, showing a sur-; tions and additions are made, the ques-plus of $215,216. But it has hitherto tion, we read, may be considered as been the custom to pay the December finally settled. Sir William does not charges for Establishments, and other devote very much space to the general expenditure incurred towards the close financial condition of the colony, but is jof the year, from the votes for the not without hope for the future, a hope following year; so that, as the Governor justly based on the unique geographical remarks, "the position of the colony position of Hongkong, and the indus-in regard to its finances has never in trious character of its population.. He recent years been as correctly presented also hopes that the International Mone-to honourable members as it might tary Conference "will decide on some have been." This is uow to be cor-sort of bimetallism, which -will at all rected, and thus the apparent surplus; events give a fixity of value to silver is reduced by $100,000. The opium coin and thi little vague. we arrears, too, that have been collected questions of polities he touches; the are a casual receipt and not revenue, question of preferential duties in favour and when they are deducted, the esti-of Chinese junks on the Canton River, mated surplus is $65,216. which has been "satisfactorily settled—The estimates for 1893 show at least for the present and the ques-Revenue $1,906,396 tion of the new Telegraph Convention, Ordinary expenditure $1,899,611 whose ratification Mr. O'Conor will do all that he possibly can to prevent.
Possible surplus: $6,785 The importance of the Volunteer Force In these circumstances the colony is pointed out; for "if it were to must effect a loan, or stop all extra-cease to exist it is possible that the ordinary public works, Some of these imperial government might insist upon will be directly, some only indirectly, some pectiniary contribution in lien of remunerative, and if they are stopped, it it;" and it is proposed, if 150 men will only add to their cost when they are have joined it in writing by the 31st of taken up again, as they must be. They December next, to set it firmly on its must not be stopped, and a loan must legs by means of a specific grant of be effected. 'I'he Governor dismisses about $10,000 for the initial cost, and the proposals to raise the money by $13,000 for its annual maintenance. overdrafts from the Bank or by sale of The appropriation this year for the Crown lands, and adds that the Se-Shanghai Volunteers, a very much retary of State has sanctioned a loan larger body, is ''is. 7,000. of £200,000, to be raised by Inscribed Phe Governor's account of the pro-Stock, and not by Debentures. Accordgress of education in Hongkong.is ingly a Loan Ordinance will be brought decidedly satisfactory, but he owns that in, and the estimate of ordinary ex-much remains to be done in respect to penditure given above includes the sum elementary education, there being some of $40,000 for interest on the loan and 20,000 children who attend no school other charges. whatever, "It is my desire," he says, Coming to the possibilities of retreuch-"in the interests of the general comment, the Governor finds that the Civil munity to encourage voluntary edu-Service is over officered, that salaries cational enterprise, and to extend in in the Clerical service are capable of every direction the grant-in-aid system." reduction, and that the cost of the Police We hope that before long our Municipal ig extremely heavy. Under the last Council will bring forward a scheme for head considerable savings may be effect-the elementary education of the thoued by extending the term of service sands of Chinese children in the settle-which qualifies Indian and Chinese ments, a step which would incidentally constables for pensions. In the Clerical do a great deal to reconcile the native service the Governor proposes to employ authorities to our continued control Portuguese and Chinese instead of here. Sir William is able to congratu-Englishmen, "by which ultimately late the colony on the small amount of saving of between $25,000 and $30,000 serious crime coming before the Courts. a year will be effected. In the 'Phe tonnage returns, he tells theConucil, Civil Service a similar saving will are very satisfactory; and' though the be effected by the abolition and amal-action of Australia, Canada, and the gamation of appointments, and reduction United States has banished for ever the salaries. mamies in the Police golden of emigration, the figures ins by laying before the members of will save some $15,000, making in all joy the first ten months of 1892 are fully a prospective saving of at least $65,000 ten per cent. anger than for the same "Not only has the Colonial Office at rear. period last year. "In recording the free-om of the colony this year from storms home sent out a new Gaol Superinten- and pestilences, the Governor makes a dent for whom Hongkong has not the very feeling allusion to the loss of the east necessity, but it has also for some Bokhara. He mentions the probability time been insisting on the colony's that the Marine Lot holders and others building a new gaol, at a costof$600,000.: interested in the Praya Reclamation Sir William Robinson has pointed out' will have to come upon the government, that all the necessary alterations can for assistance, and that he is anxious be made to the existing gaol at a cost to facilitate in every way the com-of only $250,000; and he has succeeded in bringing the Secretary of State pletion of the reclamation. He. closes a thoroughly sensible speech by the
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.