!
PUBLIC MONEY VOTES
FINANCE COMMITTEE PASS ITEMS EXCEEDING $1,300,000.
"HÖN. MR. BRAGA'S, QUESTIONS REGARDING RETRENCHMENT REPORT,
Volos exceeding 21.300.000 were approved at a meeting of the Pinance Committee held yesterday at the Conseil Chamber. The Hon. Mr. W. T. Southern presided:-
In the course of the meeting, the Hon. My..J. P. Braga ex- prossed a very strong desire to see the recommendations of the Retrenchment Committee published at an carly" date. The Colonial Secretary stated that the report would be published as soon us the necessary approval came from the Secretary of State.
11
SHORTAGE OF GOVERNMENT QUARTERS.
There were present at 152 unest-
ing-
The Hon. Colonial Secretary, Mr. W. T. Southern, CLC Chair
The Hon. Colonial Treasurer, Mr. Edwin Taylor,
The Hon. Mr. H. 2. Creasy, 6.B.E. (Director of Public Works "The A. Sir Henry Pollock, Kt,
K.C..
The Hon. Mr. W. E. L. Shenton, The Hon. Mr. R. H. Katewall, C.M.G., LL.3.
The Hon. Mr. J. P. Braga.
The Hon. Mr. T'so een Wan, O.B.E, LL.D.
The Hon. Mr. C. G. S. Mnekio.
The Han, Mr., J. J. Patersoil,
The Hon. Mr. Chat Tsun Xin. Mr. R. A. C. North (Deputy Clerk of Councils).
How Long
HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1931.
The bupplementary vote approved Owing to the rebuilding of the previously proved to be insufficient Back printing shop a cortain to most the extra cost of provisions amount of work which would ordi- Towing to an unexpected-increase-in-uary benadertaken by the Gaol
the number of prisoners during the has had to be given to the Govern..... last three months of the year.
ent printor and in consequenNCO Hong Kong Water Account the above vote will require supple.
menting to the extent of $4,000, Ordinances Regulations and
(meters). Provision and fixing of meters.
Provision made in
Estimmtes... $36.00
Provision matte by.
Supplementary vote......
70,000
860,000
of
Total.....$100,000 Supplementary expenditure $135,000 for the provision of matora has already been approved this year, of which 870,000 was for Hong Kong. The expenditure of a fur- ther sum of 800,000 has been ap proved by the Finance Committes and by the Secretary of State for this revenue service which has pro- duced this year over $1,000,000 ás agninat the estimate of 8850,000. A formal vote for the amount is now requested.
ग
Police Force: Passages..... .846,400- Provision made in Estimates $150,000,
Hon. Mr. Braga: We have heard that so very often. Here the uai
Qying to lower rate of exchange. cial year is closing and still we are Fleft where we were several months passages for a number of police and to the necessity of providing
ago while the Retrenchment Com-officers invalided and dismissed i
mitteo's report is going to be pub. which could not be foreseen when the 3031 Estimates were being lished.
framed, a Supplementary Vote of $45,400 is requested. Hong Kong Port
Sir Henry Pollock Could you tell ne, sr, how long is it since the Retrenchment Committee published their report!
Somewhere in
The Chairman: the middle of the year,
The Hoti, Mr. Bragh: shouldi like to see it published at an early
date.
Hon. Mr. Paterson: Ihould like Fohow when it will be published.
be in Shanghai, (Laughter.)-
Hon. Mr. Mackie: Most of the items are regarding exchange.
The Chairman: Do you accept the vote?,
As the outset, the Colonial Seere.because I should like to arrange tui tary apologised for the latenens of the details, but added that he felt members would appreciate that it vas an effort to bring in to dri meeting, as far am was possible, all the expenditure up to Decentber and the Government were not able to get the details out as quickly na they would have liked,
Water Meters.
An ions for $90,000 for the pro- vision and fixing of meters was the subject of some discussion. The Hon. Mr. Braga wanted to know if the Chairman could state what proportion exactly was' the number of water meters installed in Hong Kong and. Kowloon. He said it was almost unfair for him to put the question without notice, but he
asked the question merele to as
in what pregresa or development has been made on the Peniwala n compared to Hong Kong.
Hon. Mr. Braga: I have alternative
Rgarding the matter of real allow
ances to senior officers in which a vote for $32.00 was requested em Hon. Mr. Mackie observed that
|
Works. Ferry Piers (Western). Refund due to extension of time of contract Provision made in
Estimates Provision made by
supplementary vote 12,000
...$20,000"
Total.....$32,000-
1
88,000
The ontract period plus an agreed extension of one month was exceeded by five months and two days and a deduction from the Bnal Mccount of $10,098.57 was made as provided for in the coptruct.
Upon representations being made by the contractor, Government a proved a further extension of time in which to complete the work and the amount of the fine was reduced
it seemed rather remarkable, that $0.028.57. A refund of $8,000 in in a vote for $0,000, as much a4 200,000 was under-estimated.
The Colonial Treasurer. It was estimated at a higher figure than that but was ent down by the The Esti Estimates Committee. mites for 1932 hail been put in ab. $110,000,
Hon. Mr. Paterson: Is that the method of getting the estimates through. (Laughter.)
The Colonial Treasurer: It was] hoped that there would be some retrenchment,
The Chairman replied that, he could not give details offhand. The
Hon. Mr. Shruton: Is there a Hon. Mr. Brara then aid he shortage of Government, houses i thought the Council arul the com-
The Chairman: There is a great munity would be glad to see what shortage, The more Government the ratio of installation at hogats the less money will be re- Kowloon as compared to Hongquired.
אייי
rents?
The Chairman: No.
The vote was then approved.
Kenz. The Chairmann stabed- thas Hon. Mr. Shenton: The vole is a short statement would be laid on not necessitated by increase in the table at the next meeting..
Regarding na item of $150,000 for "Transport of Government Ser Tanty, the Hen, Mr, Shenton in quired, whether the sim was requir- ed because of the increased cost of petrol and oil. It anemed to be à very heavy sum to, be underinsti- mated.
therefore due to the contractor for which a vote is requested,
Pansions,
"
Civil Pensions...
$200,000 Provision made in Estimates $700,000.
As:
estimated and. a vote for only 8408,100' in focossary. Final Agurva for the year are not yet available but so far as can be seen this sum will cover the oxcoss.
The following rates are quited for information.
is estimated to meet requirements May to the end of 1901.. Importa
Hypotheticnt
18. Bd. & Treasury
Tredgren Rate..
Reports
$200
Provision made in Estiustice $5,000..
January This vote was slightly under February estimated and a further sunr of $900
March
1/0 5/8
Rato. 1/2.94
11 3/9
1/1,04
11 3/16
1/1.70
April
1/- 11
1/2.40-
1/9.
4 June
11/16
1/1.00
and Exports Diler: Purchase of Raw Opium, etc, Provision made in Estimaton $550,000.
$101,17 October
July August -September1
November
* 1/
1/3.40%
1/9.98
-179,04-
114
1/3.42
1/31
1/4.06
December 1/4 0/16
1/3.28
Sapple-
Provided meniary
Department,
33
Yute Te
יד
in exchange.
The deficiency is due to the fall
The vote is already ex
ceeded by
22. chests of" opium
perived in Deccimber. which cost 4,000
Rapers "per chest (R.1 18. did.)--0,734
14,559.00
at $118. 4./16... 141,00.17 Freight and insurance, ete., on above 34 chests
His Excellency thu
Estimates, quired..
Governor & 138,210 (876,535
Culet Service......
Soulor Clerien
and Accounting Stuff
566,221
53,875
334,113
16, 780-
2,107.00
Colonial Secr tary's Office Secretariat for,
32,400
10,338
Total...$157,771.75
Chinese Affairs 14,959 Treasury
S.V. (921) Audit Department 63,11- District Office,
North Harbour Depart-
ment
1,783-
46,955
5,801
8,935
10:577 1.005
29,300
"A Supplementary vote is requir-
ed. Laporta and Exports Office: Statistical Branch, Print- ing of Reports. Printing of Hong Kong Trade and Shipping Returns "for Oc- tober, 1931 Provision made in Estimates $7,000,
2580
The amount of 8550 is required to meet the cost of printing Hong Kong Trade and Shipping Returne for the month of October, 1931. The cast of printing the 1830 October Trade and Shipping Returns, 8558, was not paid for until January. 1921, and this has caused an ex- eces on the vote.
Petrol, Oil etc., for Police."
cara and cycles
$2,500 Provision made in Estimates $5,000...
of petrol this vote has now become Owing to the increase in the prioù
exhausted, and a further sum of 2,500 will be required to meet pay- ments to the end of this year. Share of Home Expenditure.
448,207
·S.V. (3,021)
Royal Observatory Supreme Court... Attorney General Crown Solicitor's
Office Offcini Receivor'e
Office .... Land Registry.... Police Farca Prison Depart
ment
Public Works De-
partment Volunteer Defence
Corps
€1,072 4,110 180,384′′ 15,375
.40,776 3,547
9,427 5,021 40,000
159,769 90,000
1,050,900 251,000
47,875 3,953.
18,453
• 26,35-4 2,180,582
32,100 *4,300*
90,000,504 $409,100
S.V. (84,569). Sundry Charitable
Allow- anges and Persions (a)- rendy allocatari)
.,,$3,000 Provision made in Eatimates': $15,675.
موسم
Exchange Buctuation $707 The sterling allowanery and pen. Provision made in Estimatessions included in this vote were $7,000.
This sub-head of expenditure is
provided for on the basis of An
The sterling pensions which epi- use the greater part of this service werg provided for on the basis of exchange rate of la. ddiṣ81. the rate fell considerably below this figure for ten months of the year lit becomes necessary to ask for
supplementary vote for $200,000 to
excess is due to the fall in ex- becomes necessary to ask for a sup meet expenditure to the end of 1881. change.
plementary vote, for $3,000 to meet Politi: Pensions ........ .....$68,000
The above is to be met from sav-expónditure to the end of 1931. Proviso made in Estimatesings under Conveyance Allowance Rent Allowances, European $75,000.
Transport and Travelling. Dredging Foreshores. To meet cost of repairs to Nos. 1
and 2 Grub Dredgers....87,000 || $60,000. Provision made in Estimates $20,000.
306 under local control and under exchange fate of a. 4d. 81. As instruction, was estimated at 468 the rate fell considerably below this ier the current year, the estimates Bgure for tob months of the year it being based on a 1/4d. dollar. The
The sterling pensions which.com prise the greater part of thin bervice were provided for on the basis of exchange rate of 1s. 4d. 81. As the raste Tell considerably below this
igare for ten months of the year it, becomes necessary to ask for a Expplementary vote for $68,000 to The items which came up for one expenditure to the end of 1957. eideration yesterity were as folidowa' and Orphans' Pen
The Hon. Colonial "Secretary: lowa:-- Transport for Government servants
1.
menns passagem,
Retrenchment Committee's
Esport.
I would The Hon. Mr. Bragu: like to take this item together with
the items for $39,000; for rent allow. ances to senior oficers. These two items bring me back to the question, which I have often raised in the Council and in this committee, of sterling sularied officers
Ver8:13
dollar-paid servants in the Govern- ment service. I should like to know to what extent dollar paid men are granted any passage allowance at all; I think the sooner the com- mittes or the members of the Coun cil are placed in possession of the Retrenchment "Committee's report, the bettor they will be able to judge the expensive policy of employing sterling paid officers for the unior brunch of the Government service. I express the opinion now that the Retrenchment Committee's report very much 'overdue furadi
feel.
The Chairman; I'm afraid you are out of order. We cannot die- cuss the policy of the Retrenchment Committec.
VOTES IN DETAIL,
Police For all Stores....$1,300
sions
This sum de required to meet the cost of repairs to No. 1 and No. dredgers amounting to 85,500 and
There is $3,535, respectively.
Polien Force: Incidental Ex-
81,700
Sub-ordinate Officers 88,500 Provision made in "Estimates:
The amount required for this ser- vice was underestimated and a fur-. ther sum of 48,500 will be necessary to meet expenditure to the end of 1931.
Kent Allowances.
Allowances
Sénior
Oficers
$32,000 Provision made in 'Estimates: $90,000.
balance on the vote of 82,005, 390,000円 With the approval of the Finance Provision trade in Estimates Committee the work has already! $10,800,
been put in hand in order that the Rent Provision made in Estimates 88,000.
The sterling pensions included in dredgers may be available early in Owing to the lower rate of ex this vote were provided for on the 1932. change and increase in cost of basis of exchange rate of 1. 4d. atores, the vote will be extended $1. As the rate fell considerably $1,300. The above is to be mes below this figure for ten months of from savings under expenses.of anti-the year it becomes necessary to piracy guards.
ask for a supplementary vote for $20,000 to meet expenditure to the 800 cnd of 1081.
Crown Agents Commission.....$3,000 Provision made in Estimates $20,000.
Police Forer: Bent of Sta
tiona
.
Erovision made in Estimates $5,780.
A supplementary vote of 800 is requested to pay rent of reated The estimate for this service was stations to the end of this year.based on an exchange rate of a Through the transposing of figures, 4d-81, and owing to the lower ex #sum of 88,750) instead of $3,870 change ruling during the current was inadvertently inserted" in the year supplementary vote for 1031 Estimates. The above is to | $3,000 is necessary.
be met from savings under Identi- Transportation Allowances, fication of Criminals.
Transport of Government
$150,000 Servants.... Provision made in Estimates $300,000,
Prisons Department: Photo-
graphy, Provision made in Estí-
A000
mates Provisión made by
Supplementary vote... 730
dental expenses
$1,650
$50
$200+
Hop. Mr. Braga: With great spect, air, I beg to disagree. We are called upon here, meeting after meeting, to vote, cums of hundreds of thousands of dollars, well know ing that the Retrenchment Com mittee, appointed to, bring in soma saving, have completed their report. These items are now. before tho Finance Committee and from that point of view I again submit, with great respect, that it is a matter of policy to see the report. Some members of the Council here, by from savings under rent of guar- virtue of their positione, have come
ters for Indian warders.
penses Provising made." in "Estimates .........$5,000
Provision made by
Supplementary Vote. 2,000-
Total $7,000
Owing to an under-estimate of the amount required to cover expendi ture a further excoss of $1,750 has been incurred on this vote. A sup plementary vote for this sum és therefore requested.
The amount required for this ser- vice was underestimated 'and a fur- ther sum of $38,000 will be aeces- sary to meet expenditure to the end of 1931.
Stationery, Other Services $20,000 Provision unde in Estimates: 27,000.
Stationery requirements under this head were underestimated and in addition the fali in exchange aus ings under Expenses of Anti-Piracy considerably increased the expendi-
ture in dollars.
The above is to be met from 8ay-
Guards.
27
Five Lakás for Salaries..
Personal Emoluments
Provision made
in Estitutea, 1931
$6,360,50M
Provision made in Supplemen tary Voto ...... 4,332
Total $6,305, 1-48
$409,100
The original indent for stationery was greatly reduced causing delay in despatch and consequently delay in the receipt of the goods. "In the meantime heavy local purchases had to be mode. A quarter's sup- ply to carry over to 1032 is in band,
A further vote for $20,000 is necessary to cover expenditure to the end of 1931; A corresponding saving under sub-head 47 Station. ery, Prison Department will be effected,
$4,000,
This vote has proved insuficient largely as a result of the low rate of exchange and in a smaller do- gree, under-estimating. A aapple- mentary vote for 8150,000 is requir The supplementary vote approved ed to meet expenditure to the end previously proved to be insufficient of 1931. owing to an unexpected increase in Newspapers and Periodicals...$1,900 the number of prisoners. The bove is to be met from savings under
Provision made in Estimates
Provision was mado in the
Kowloon-Canton Railway: materials for repairs and renewal.
$8,500.
Estimates for the payment of ster-
30, Tools and Plant Prisons Department:
The greater portion of the exling salaries on the basis of 31-16: Inci-
E-4-8-1 Plant
$2,201 penditure is for sterling subscrip- 1d By a resolution of Council
Provision made ja Estimates : tions and tho fall in the rate of dated January 20, 1931, it was ap-` Provision made in Estimates exchange has caused an excess over proved that sterling salaries of $2,100.
The eout of one hydraulic trans the Estimates. A further vote of Government servants whilst serving This is to meet Crown Agrate $1,000 is necessary to cover require in the Colony should be paid as to fer pit jack ordered through the Hayments. The excess over the Estimates is due to the fall in ex-
ments to the end of 1031.
half at the rate of 18. 8d. to the Crown Agente was estimated' at dollar and ns to the other half £80 plus 10 per cent. for freight. $3,100 The above in to be met Government Gazette change,
Provision made in Estimates at the prevailing Treasury rate. The actual charges o... worked out wita modified by resolu- at £120 16я, 2d, which together with $5,000.
tion of Council anted Octo- the lower exchange gave an excess Owing to the greatly increased her 1, 1031, affording an from of $1,200.18; 20 yards of V.I.R. pize of the Government Gazelle July 1, 1931, some measure of relief wire at a cost of $1,000 had to be this rear the provision in the Esti to officers with families at home. purchased for the new air compres- mates has proved insufficient and Even so it was estimated that the sor and motor, expenditure which, a further sum of $3,100 is required extra cost would amount to $700,000 was unforeseen when the 18 esti- to meet expenditure to the end of more than provided in themates were framed
to a knowledge of the recommendo- sions of the committbe, while other Prisons Department: Subsist- members are perfectly in the dark. ence of prisoners"
Here we have before us votos total- ling over a million dollars and wo are still very much in 'the dark as to what the Retrenchment Com.. mittee has recommended,
The Chairman:. Subject to the approval of the Secretary of State, the report will be published.
Provision made in
Estimates.§100,000 Provision made by Supplementary
vote
47,000
Total...8147,000
.23,000
J
1931. J. Miscellaneous Papers 24,000 Provision made in Estimates $11,000.
Thin
Estimates, Vacancies in offices and
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