Subordinates in the Police Court, _ and for the increased cost of provisions required for the prisoners confined in Victoria Gaol,
an item which rose from £681.6.9 in 1854 to £1077.5.1/2, the charge for the past year, chiefly owing to the augmented price of both the necessaries of life. The contract expires in May next.
The cost of conveying Criminals to Peng Chau and Ting Kau has also become much greater during the past year than during the previous time.
2. Under Pensions, Retired Allowances and Gratuities the increase has been £483.9.6, being to old and infirm Officers, to those whose Office was abolished, and a grant to the widow of another officer who died during the past year.
...
2975
5. The most principal increase is under Public Works, viz., £3654.1.9, being, as already remarked, principally on account of works undertaken and partly completed during last year, but already estimated for as far back as 1845 and 1846.
During the past year a great improvement has taken place in the Public Roads and Streets, the sale Lots required a great number of additional attention and labor on the part of the Surveyor-General. The "roads necessary" for "the new localities" seem to have been contracted for, and in part commenced. Some of the old Streets will require to be finished in a style similar to the others, and the Native quarter, the Jai Sing Shan and Lower area,