tion), and a like sum for curative plague sera; the purchase of animals, including horses, he estimates at $1,000; a sum of $500 will be necessary to purchase certain additional apparatus for the preparation of virus, vaccines and sera, owing to the fact that Dr. HUNTER was not informed, until two or three days before leaving England, that he would be expected to make these preparations on a large scale, and he had at that time ordered all the apparatus which he had considered sufficient. These various sums,
therefore, have been inserted in the draft Estimates.
}
MAGISTRACY,
(1.) Office Furniture, etc. Previous votes insufficient. (2.) Cost of Winesses, etc.)
The increase of $300 under these heads combined is balanced by expunging the vote for Post Mortem Examinations, etc., which has not been drawn upon at all for several years past.
SANITARY DEPARTMENT.
(1.) Sanitary Commissioner. (a.) Allowance for House-rent. (b.) Conveyance Allowance.These items have been inserted provisionally. Should a Sanitary Commissioner be appointed he would, unless granted these allowances, be much worse off than the Principal Civil Medical Officer, who has free quarters.
(2.) Five Senior Inspectors of Nuisances.-The increment drawn by these officers as shown in the 1902 Estimates is triennial: but in their agreements an annual increment was granted by the Secretary of State.
(3.) 1st class Inspectors: 3rd class Inspectors: Foreman of Street Cleansers: Interpreter, Veterinary Staff: Watchman, Slaughter House, Kowloon. The increment of $60 a year in the case of all these officers was sanctioned as from the 1st January, 1901, after the Estimates for 1902 had been drafted. Hence the 1902 Estimates do not show the first increment as they should do, and the 1903 Estimates show two increments.
(4.) Foreman, Disinfecting Staff.—The increase of salary was granted for the reason that the Foreman could not be retained at $30 a month.
MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES.
(1.) Loss in Exchange on Family Remittances.—Mr. DYER BALL is the only beneficiary and he is on leave in England.
(2.) Bungalows Committee, for Caretakers.- A mistake in this year's Estimates: the Caretaker's wage is $8 a month.
(3.) Interest.—Increase is chiefly due to the augmentation of the Widows and Orphans' Pension Fund (section 5 of Ordinance 15 of 1900).
(4.) College of Medicine for Chinese. Of the sum of $5,000 voted for the current year, half is for the Government Dispensary at Wantsai. A sum of $2,500 has therefore been transferred to the Estimates of the Medical Department. (5.) Expenses of the New Territory.-Transferred to other votes, thus:-
Land Court, New Territory.
4 Rent Roll Clerks at $300 each
Police Department.
839
$1,200
2 Telephone Clerks at Ts'imshátsui Police Station at
$40 each
816
Treasury.
2 Temporary Clerks at $312 each
Assessor's Office.
Numbering Houses (Other Charges)
624
2,000
$4,640