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“...061 less than were anticipated when the Estimates
were drawn up, of which the deficit on land sales accounted for
$230,642.
The expenditure for the year was $5,586,138, exclusive of
public works extraordinary; inclusive of that item, but exclusive
of expenditure on Railway Construction (Loan Account) it was
$6,573,341, or $816,138 more than the total expenditure for 1907.
The principal cause of this increase of expenditure in spite of
a falling revenue, was the loss due to the fall in exchange value
of the dollar. The Estimates of 1907 had been calculated on a
basis of 2s. for sterling salaries, and 2.9. Id. for other items, while
the Estimates for 1908 were calculated at Is. 9d. only. The
expenditure of the year exceeded the estimate by $394,810, due,
inter alia, to a still further fall in exchange, to heavy damages
caused by typhoons, and to the purchase of a dredger for the con-
struction of a refuge for small craft.
The decrease of $123,683 in the revenue, and the excess of
$394,810 in...”
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“...power is supplied by gas
engines, and is transmitted throughout the yard electrically.
Fisheries.
A considerable proportion of the boat population of Hong Kong
supports itself by deep-sea fishing, in which pursuit a large num-
ber of junks are engaged. The villages of Aberdeen, Stanley,
Shaukiwan, and many others in the New Territories are largely
dependent upon this industry for their prosperity. Fresh-water
fish is imported from Canton and the West River. There are
oyster beds of considerable value in Deep Bay.
Forestry and Agriculture.
Forestry work has consisted (1) in the formation of 400 acres of
pine plantations in continuation of the harbour belt now extend-
ing some seven miles from Lai-chi-kok towards Lyeemum, (2) the
continuation of afforesting the catchment areas of Tytam, Pok-
fulam, and Kowloon reservoirs, (3) the replanting of felled areas
at Aberdeen and Mount Kellett, (4) the extension of the avenues
of shade trees in Kowloon, (5) the care of existing plantations.
The year...”
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“...12
COLONIAL REPORTS ANNUAL.
Land Grants and General Value of Land.
The net amount received from sales of Crown land and pier
rights, after deducting expenses of the sales, was $69,358, a
decrease of- $92,101 on the previous year, and $218,481 less than
the average amount received for each of the past five years. Of
this amount $14,665 was received in respect of sales of pier rights
and the right of extending existing piers; $7,078 was received in
respect of sales of Crown land in the New Territories, and the
balance from sales of new lots of Crown land and grants of exten-
sion to existing lots in the Island of Hong Kong and Old Kowloon.
The chief items were for an extension to a soy factory at West
Point (inland lot No. 1,300), and for a renewal of the lease of the
Dairy Farm Company's premises in Wyndham Street for a period
of 75 years, the existing lease of which is about to expire.
The considerable decrease in revenue from sales of Crown land
may be partly attributed-to the fact that...”
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“...22
COLONIAL REPORTS ANNUAL.
XII.GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.
The assessment made in July, 1907, for tlie year 1907-8 was
adopted for the year 1908-9, the difference in rateable value
being the result of interim-assessments and appeals. The rate-
able value of the whole Colony increased by 0*93 per cent. In
the City of Victoria, the Hill District, Shaukiwan, the Hong
Kong villages, Mongkoktsui, and the Kowloon villages there was
an increase ranging from 0"84 per cent, to 2'92 per cent. In
Kowloon Point and Yaumati there was a decrease of 1'21 per cent,
and 1*45 per cent, respectively. New Kowloon showed an in-
crease of'0*77 per cent. Notices of appeal were given against
the assessments of 249 tenements with an aggregate rateable value
of $452,180. The Court ordered reductions amounting to
$36,195.
Throughout the year negotiations were in progress between this
Government and the Chinese authorities, both at Canton and at
Peking, on the subject of the loss and inconvenience caused by
the depreciation...”
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