HONGKONG.
No. 34
MEMORANDUM ON THE ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR 1904.
Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Governor.
[Note. Rate of Exchange is taken at 1s. 8d. instead of 1s. 10. for Sterling salaries and payments and 1s. 8d. for Exchange Compensation in 1903 Estimates.]
1903
GOVERNOR.
OTHER CHARGES.
New Furniture for Government House and Peak Residence.—-The sum of $8,000 (non-recurrent) has been provided for the purchase of new furniture for Government House and Mountain Lodge. The expenditure of this sum will obviate the necessity of periodically moving furniture from one house to the other, which causes excessive wear and tear. Carpets, curtains and other articles of furniture require renewal. Deterioration is rapid in this climate, especially on the Peak.
The vote for Incidental Expenses has been separated from the Furniture vote and has been increased from $1,200 to $1,500. It has been underestimated in recent years.
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S DEPARTMENT AND LEGISLATURE.
PERSONAL EMOLUMENTS.
Assistant Colonial Secretary.—The first increment of this post is provided for in anticipation of the holder of the substantive appointment being no longer required for the Land Court which is expected to finish its work in the middle of next year.
OTHER CHARGES.
Advertisement.-Advertisements of military gun-practices have hitherto been paid for out of this vote. In future the cost will be defrayed by the Military Authorities, hence the decrease of $135.
TREASURY.
OTHER CHARGES.
The vote for Office Furniture, Conveyance for collecting Village Rates in Hongkong and Kowloon, and Incidental Expenses, has been split up into three separate votes. The increase is rendered necessary by the expenses of collection of rates in the villages of New Kowloon.
Sub-Department.--Assessor of Rates.
PERSONAL EMOLUMENTS.
The Interpreter has not yet passed the examination prescribed for 3rd Class Interpreters, and, therefore, does not draw the salary of Interpreters attached to that class. Throughout the Estimates the posts that are on the Interpretation Depart- ment and which it is intended eventually to fill with qualified Interpreters, are distinguished by the letters I. D. and the class.
OTHER CHARGES.
The decrease of $1,800 in connection with the numbering of houses in the New Territory is due to the fact that the actual numbering is now completed, and only a small amount of supervision as regards changes, new buildings, &c., will be required.