8
12.
Under Other Charges net increases are shown in the vote for Christmas trees $5,000, compost production $2,000, daily rated staff $9,100, fuel, light and power $1,500, incidental expenses $1,000, maintenance of forest areas $5,000, running expenses of vehicles $5,000, stores and equipment $12,000, subsistence allowances $2,5000, travelling expenses, $20,500, and uniforms $2,500, arising from the increased activities of the Department generally. New votes have been created for livestock disease control and quarantine measures $150,000, of which $110,000 represents transfers from existing votes, and plant pest control measures $10,000, formerly included in the vote for agricultural services.
Special Expenditure items provide for a continuation of projects already in hand, replacements of vehicles and sundry revotes.
13.
HEAD 3 - AUDIT DEPARTMENT
Estimate 1955/56
$627,500
Revised estimate 1954/55
530,000
Approved estimate 1954/55
620,250
Actual expenditure 1953/54
557,836
1954/55 1955/56 Difference
Permanent staff
59
59
14.
The only establishment changes are the substitution of 2 G.C.S. Clerks for 2 Temporary Clerks. The increase of $17,354 in the vote for Personal Emoluments arises from normal increments and salaries revision.
15.
Under Other Charges, the only changes are an increase of $3,396 in respect of the Colony's share of the cost of the Oversea Audit Department (formerly the Colonial Audit Department) in London, and a decrease of $13,500 in respect of rent of offices, consequent upon the removal of the Department to the new Government Offices.
HEAD 4. BROADCASTING DEPARTMENT
P
Estimate 1955/56
$1,443,200
Revised estimate 1954/55
772,000
Approved estimate 1954/55
757,325
Actual expenditure 1953/54
657,607
1954/55 1955/56 Difference
Permanent staff
Supernumerary staff
30
1
30
1
16.
The only change in the establishment is an additional Woman Confidential Assistant Class II in place of a post of Woman Assistant deleted. This change, together with normal increments and salaries revision, accounts for the increase of $5,995 in the vote for Personal Emoluments.
17.
Under Other Charges, a new subhead has been created for Cable and Wireless Charges, formerly provided for in a block vote under Head 19, Miscellaneous Services. The increase of $26,200 for Copyright fees and royalties is mainly in respect of revised charges by Reuters approved during the year.
Provision of $2,000 is included under Special Expenditure to enable a reference library to be provided in Radio Hong Kong.
18.