519
stables on dollar pay having been promoted in consequence of vacancies due partly to promotions of their predecessors some of whose salaries were fixed in Sterling or in Dollars or vice verså. There is no increase in the Establishment.
17 Boatmen.-It has proved impossible to secure and retain men for $8 a month and it was necessary in April last to raise their pay to $9.
OTHER CHARGES.
Incidentals Expenses.-The reduction of $444 represents $72 Allowance to Boatmen at Cheung Chow now shown separately under Personal Emoluments, and $372 for wages of Coolies as explained in Mr. Már's despatch No. 206 of 16th May, 1904, and approved by the Secretary of State in despatch No. 198 of 27th June.
Rent of Police Stations.-The increase is $240 for rent of house to accom- modate the increased Chinese Detective Staff, but may not be required when the additional storey for the Central Station is completed or if there is room in the temporary accommodation provided during such addition: and $50 for taxes on house next to No. 2 Police Station.
VICTORIA GAOL.
PERSONAL EMOLUMENTS.
6 Temporary Guards.-Owing to crowding of Gaol two Store rooms had to be converted into Dormitories to accommodate prisoners and these extra Guards were added to the Staff in consequence. They are provided for next year in anticipation of similar crowding.
4 Cooks at $96.-The increase of $1 a month to 2 cooks was found to be necessary, $7 a month being insufficient.
SANITARY DEPARTMENT.
PERSONAL EMOLUMENTS.
Watchman, Kwai Chung.—This is the revival of an appointment which existed up to 1900. It has been found necessary so as to ensure that the refuse from the dust boats is taken to the appointed place on shore and not deposited in the sea between Hongkong and Cheung Sha Wan.
Sanitary Inspector acting as Overseer to Cemeteries.-It was recommended by the Sanitary Board that this Overseer should be accorded this altered status and the salary attaching to it on condition that he devotes his whole time to the work, At present he is also Cathedral Verger, a position he will relinquish.
3 Sextons, Sai Yu Shek Cemetery and Rent Allowance. This staff is necessary but was everlooked by the Sanitary Department when the Cemetery was selected in May, 1903. Their wages have been paid this year out of lapsing salaries.
Engineers and Attendants for Bath-houses.-They are required for the Bath- houses in Cross Street and Pound Lane and for the supervision of the Disinfecting Tanks erected as a result of the plague experiment of Sir HENRY BLAKE in 1903. Their wages have this year been paid out of "Coolie Labour" not having been estimated for.
OTHER CHARGES.
Cemetery Incidental Expenses.-The increase is provided to meet cost of lay- ing out Sai Yu Shek Cemetery declared a burial place by Government Notification of 22nd May, 1903, and cost of putting existing cemeteries in better order. vote may be reconsidered for 1906.
The
Incidental Expenses. The reduction in round figures represents the sums of which the item has been relieved by separate provision being made.
Latrine at Wanchai Gap Road.—A ventilating shaft with electric exhaust fan was installed to obviate complaints from the public, which had been frequent, of disagreeable smells in the vicinity of the latrine.