698
Harbour Office-Special Expenditure.
Fairway Lights and Buoys.-This apparatus which was designed by Trinity House is required for the better lighting of the fairway leading to the Western Entrance to the Harbour.
JUDICIAL AND LEGAL DEPARTMENTS.
A.-Supreme Court.
PERSONAL EMOLUMENTS.
Interpreter, I. D. 3rd Class, appointed to understudy the present interpre- ters, so that his services may be available when an interpreter goes upon leave or retires.
OTHER CHARGES.
Law Reports, Contribution towards printing, &c.-There are at present no authorised reports of judgments and arguments in important cases. A sum of $2,100 is therefore provided for the following expenses:
Editing Law Reports,
Printing Do.
Shorthand Writer,
$600
$600
$900
B.-Magistracy.
PERSONAL EMOLUMENTS.
2nd to 5th Clerks, Shroff and Ushers-Opportunity was taken of the vacancy. simultaneously, of the posts of 2nd and 3rd Clerks and Shroff, occasioned by retirement and dismissals, to introduce the Grading Scheme into the Departinent en bloc. These changes in salaries together with the abolition of the allowance of $288 to the Coroner's Clerk and Interpreter whose duties are distributed among the Clerical Staff, effect a saving of $263 in 1906.
Chinese and Hindustani Interpreter.—This Interpreter, through lack of know- ledge of the Chinese character, has not passed the examination prescribed in the Interpretation Scheme. He speaks 2 Chinese Dialects besides Hindustani, and is reported to be a good Interpreter. It is proposed to give him $1,200, the maxi- mum of a 2nd class Interpreter.
2 Messengers at $96.-It is no longer possible to get reliable men at $84 owing to the general rise in wages of the coolie class. It is proposed to increase the pay of these 2 messengers to $96 each per annum.
Interpreter, I. D. 3rd Class.-Vide remarks on similar post under Supreme.
Court.
D.-Land Registry Office.
PERSONAL EMOLUMENTS.
Clerk and Translator.-Though the present incumbent of the post is drawing $720 per annum, $960 is placed on the Estimates, as it is expected that by 1906 he will have passed the prescribed examination.
Clerk for New Territory work in Hongkong.-The maximum pay of the pre- sent scale having been reached, this clerk is placed in Class VII as approved in C. O. D. No. 196 of 27th May, 1903.