HONGKONG.
MEMORANDUM ON THE DRAFT ESTIMATES FOR 1903.
Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Governor.
GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE.
The only item calling for remark is the special vote for new furniture for Mountain Lodge, the Governor's new Peak residence. The vote will, of course, be
non-recurrent.
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE.
Assistant Porter.The small additional expense entailed by this extra appoint- ment is recommended.
Mail Messenger.—Correspondence between Government Offices and Tái Pó was formerly carried by coolies who carried provisions. This system proved un- satisfactory and the appointment of a Mail Messenger is recommended.
Three Messengers—Increase of Salary.—Rendered necessary by the fact that the service of Messengers could not be retained for less.
Water Coolie. -Increase due to the same cause.
TREASURY,
(1.) Eighth Clerk.-Departmental promotions consequent on the promotion of the 5th Clerk to the C. S. O. (sanctioned in C. O. D.) necessitated the engage- ment of a new Clerk as 8th Clerk. The Treasurer recommended that the initial salary of this Clerk should be $480.
(2.) Two Temporary Clerks. These Clerks have been employed since 1901 in connection with the collection of revenue from the New Territory. They were previously paid out of the vote "Miscellaneous Services: Expenses of the New Territory."
(3.) Printing Coolie.-The increase of $1 monthly is justified by the increase of work and the state of the labour market. The increase was made in March, 1902, and has during this year been paid out of the unexpended balance on Trea- sury votes.
POST OFFICE.
50-7.10.02.
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(1.) Swatow: Assistant.-Recommended in 0. A. G.'s despatch No. for salary of $360 per annum: but it is now found that $240 rising by increments to $360 will be sufficient. The officer will earn his first increment next year.
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(2.) Hankow: 2 Postmen. By a clerical slip the salary of $48 per annum was mentioned in the O. A. G.'s despatch No. 4 (approved in C.O.D.), instead of $96, which is the salary attaching to the post.
REGISTRAR GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT.
(1.) Translator.Mr. LI KIN CHING has only passed as 2nd class Trans- lator, salary $960 to $1,200 by $60 biennially. It rests with him to qualify as 1st class Translator and so become entitled to the full salary of the post. This he will probably do in 1903.
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835
No. 02
47 1902