164
Yam. I obleri
9.
2
There remains the sum of $641,171 asked for by Mr
Winslow. It is beyond my competence to criticise the details which make up this estimate, nor is it possible for anyone to do so without more detailed information
than appears in Enclosure 3. It strikes me however,
as a somewhat liberal one. There is not, I think any
earthwork to peak of which should not be properly charge- able to Maintenance. The items $43,000 for Kooloon
station yard, and $288,000 for station are very heavy
and I feel some doubt as to whether it is necessary to
incur this large expenditure all at once, and until the
traffic shews a considerable expansion, I suggest that
they may very possibly be spread over at least two years
and provided in the "Public Works Extraordinary" Programme. Locos and C.W.rolling stock amount to $265,500. Two new
engines are urgently required and have already been sanc-
tioned, as also eight coaches now under erection, but I
trust that the General Manager will be able to defer the
remainder for a short time. The third loco is desired
(in par:4) on the grounds of an expected great increase
in traffic, but in para:9 it is anticipated that the traf-
fic receipts this year will be decreased by the unsettled
state of China. Mr Severn points out that the estimates
already provide $15,000 for this service. I have already
recorded my opinion locally that the expenditure of
$60,000 (par.7.) on the Manager's house is not at present
justified, and that a house allowance of $75 p.m. should
be granted. I am not quite clear that the site on Crown land
marked A (Encl.7. of Desp.96) (in the area enclosed in blue)
would not be suitable. In any case since it is represented
that this sum is a remunerative instrument upon which in-
terest will be paid in the form of rent it hardly appears
(4)