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MESSAGE TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
W. PEEL,
Governor.
No. 14.
His Excellency the Governor has the honour to present for the consideration of the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council the items (Nos. 131 to 139 of 1931) of supplementary expenditure set out below.
By His Excellency's Command,
W. T. SOUTHorn,
Colonial Secretary.
Dated the 15th day of December, 1931.
Items the cost of which can be met wholly or in part by Savings from other sub-heads of the head are marked with an asterisk (*). The source and extent of the Savings will be found in the explanation of the individual items.
$
5,000.00
Brought forward..............
5,000.00
$
49.00
160
* 132.-14, Royal Observatory:-14, Subscription towards cost of printing Results of International Upper Air Research...........
Provision made in Estimates (page 35 sub-head 14)...$
£10 a year is subscribed to the International Upper Air Research Committee towards the cost of printing results. This was estimated for at $1 = 1s. 3d. payment was made at $1 11d. The vote is in deficit $48.70.
The above is to be met from savings under Meteorological Telegrams (1931 Estimates page 35 sub-head 7).
(C.S.O. 3162/27).
133.-18, Crown Solicitor:-4, Legal Expenses
2,039.00
Provision made in Estimates (page 41 sub-head 4) ...$
2,000
In two recent magisterial appeals judgment was given for the appell- ants, with costs.
The costs in such appeals, viz.-Mak Fan and others (appellants) and Chui Nam P.C.C. 261 (respondent)-Miscellaneous Proceeding No. 42 of 1931-and Lau Wing Sang (appellant) and the Hon. Inspector General of Police (respondent)--Miscellaneous Proceeding No. 44 of 1931-have been taxed and allowed at $2,518.05 and $1,186.60, respectively, making a total of $3,704.65. The unexpended balance of the vote for 'Legal Expenses ' is $1,665.90, hence a supplementary vote of $2,039.00 has become necessary. An accurate forecast of legal expenses for any year is impossible.
(C.S.O. 4 in 173/31).
134.-14, Royal Observatory:-12, Maintenance of Magnetographs...$
Provision made in Estimates (page 35 sub-head 12). $
=
900
Indents for stores from England were estimated at $1 1s. 3d. but were paid for at rates ranging from $1 11 d. to $1-1s. 1d. Economies were effected but not sufficient to meet the difference and the vote is now $21.74 overspent. The sum of $150 asked for is to meet this deficit and to provide funds for the necessary Crown Agents and local purchases till the end of the year.
150.00
MEMORANDA EXPLAINING THE ITEMS.
Estimates, 1931.
* 131.-31, Public Works Extraordinary :-53, Waterworks, Distribut- ing Water Mains. To meet expenditure to the end of the year
Provision made in Estimates (page 94 sub-head 53)...$ 15,000
Owing to the rapid development of the district and consequent demand for metered services, the vote is practically exhausted and a supplementary amount of $5,000 is requested to meet expenditure to the end of the year.
In many instances large blocks of property have been completed at considerable distances from a Government main but water supplies have had to be provided without delay to enable the property to be let.
The greater portion of the sum provided under this vote has been expended on cast iron pipes which, owing to the drop in exchange, cost-
in dollars-very much more than previously.
The above is to be met from savings under Kowloon City Service Reservoir (1931 Estimates page 95 sub-head 74).
(C.S.O. 22 in 173/31).
(C.S.O. 16 in 173/31).
* 135.-30, Public Works Recurrent:-26, Item 2, Maintenance of Taipo Waterworks......
$
300.00
Provision made in Estimates (page 92 sub-head 26
item 1)
700
Owing to development at Taipo Market more money than was anti- cipated has had to be spent on the Taipo supply main.
The above is to be met from savings under Maintenance of Fanling Waterworks (1931 Estimates page 92 sub-head 26 item 1).
(C.S.O. 3241/21).
Carried forward...........
5,000.00
Carried forward...........
$
7,538.00
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