186
4
Brought forward..............
At present when tests are to be carried out the Assistant Government Marine Surveyor, Yaumati has to borrow a Tachometer for the purpose.
Original Estimate £15 at Exch. 1/4
=
Revised cost including Freight etc. £16.10d. at Exch. 1/-
=
$225 330
Difference
$105
The above is to be met from savings under Training Expenses of G.M.S. in England (1931 Estimates page 28 sub-head 22), (C.S.O. 7 in 215/31.)
14,817.00
26.-23, Police Force:-26, Rent of Police Married Quarters
840.00
Provision made in Estimates (page 46 sub-head 26) ..$
6,000
Brought forward....... 29.-11, Post Office and Wireless, (B)-Wireless :-Other Charges. Special Expenditure. Bicycles
In order to enable the staff of messengers of the Radio Branch to cope with the increase of traffic which is now nearly double what it was a year ago and to effect speedy delivery of the messages, it is considered necessary that the messengers be provided with bicycles. No provision was made in the Estimates for this expenditure.
Radio receipts in 1930 amounted to $432,000. $238,000 had been collected. (C.S.O. 2861/22.)
Up to 30th April, 1931
30.-32, Kowloon-Canton Railway :-1, Personal Emoluments....
Provision made in Estimates (page 97 sub-head 1)...$ Provision made by Supplementary Vote (Message
No. 1 item No. 3)
$
16,587.00
500.00
7,732.00
Total..
362,776
2,100
$ 364,876
It is requested that a Supplementary Vote for $840 be approved to pay rent (@ $120 per month) for one Flat in East Point Terrace for the period June to December, 1931.
The Flat is required to accommodate a married Sub-Inspector of Police who has been seconded for Mui Tsai duties, and who was formerly accommodated in police quarters. (C.S.O. 2709/31.)
* 27.-27, Botanical and Forestry Department:-9, Library. Part cost. of 3 vols, of "Pritzel's Iconum Botanicarum Index"
Provision made in Estimates (page 69).............
.$ 150
This publication was to be issued at the rate of 2 volumes a year; volumes I and II were received in 1928, and volumes III, IV and V have arrived this year unexpectedly, costing £13.10.0 or $295. Of this there is a sum of $85 remaining on the library vote and the balance of $210 is now required.
The above is to be met from savings under sub-head 7 Forestry Reserve, Taipo Kau (1931 Estimates page 69). (C.S.O. 2 in 173/31.)
**
28. 26, Sanitary Department:-22, Rat Poison, Rat Traps, &c.
Provision made in Estimates (page 65 sub-head 22) ...$
2,300
The provision made in Estimates assumed that the Sterling require- ments (which amount, under this Sub-head, to some £130) could be purchased at $1 = 1/4.
The sum now asked for represents approximately the difference between the estimated rate and the actual rate of exchange today, and should suffice for the full year
The above is to be met from savings under 2 Motor Cars and 2 Motor Vans (1931 Estimates page 66 sub-head 37). (C.S.O. 24 in 173/31).
210.00
720.00
The Secretary of State for the Colonies has approved of the salary of the post of Manager and Chief Engineer, Kowloon Canton Railway being increased from £1,500 per annum to the rate of £1,400-£50-£1,600 per annum, and also that the present holder Mr. R. Baker be permitted to draw salary at the rate of £1,550 per annum from 7th July, 1931.
Provision in the current estimates was made at the old rate viz. £1,500 at exchange 1/4. While on leave from 28th March, 1931, Mr. Baker will draw his salary from the Crown Agents, the sterling payment being shown in the Crown Agents account at the current rate of exchange approximately 114d, also from 7th July 1931 the salary will be at the increased rate of £1,550 per annum.
A supplementary vote of $7,732 is therefore required. (C.S.O. 1 in 32 in 3240/29.)
31.-32, Kowloon-Canton Railway :--Other Charges. 8, Conveyance allowance to Railway
Provision made in Estimates (page 97, sub-head 8)......$
188.00
435
Owing to an oversight no provision was made for the conveyance allowances payable to the Manager and Chief Engineer of the Railway during the absence on leave of Mr. Baker who holds both posts. At the same time a revised scale of allowances has been introduced as from April 1st, 1931, involving a total increase of $84 per annum over the approved scale. The sum actually provided in respect of these allowances is $241 and a further sum of $188 is required to make up the deficiency. (C.S.O. 6 in 626/23.)
32.-30, Public Works Recurrent :-6, Item 3, Hong Kong Water Account (Meters). Provision and fixing of meters
50,000.00
Provision made in Estimates (page 90 sub-head 6
item 3)
$ 35,000
Carried forward..............
16,587.00
Numerous applications for new metered services are being received on account of rapid development especially on Praya East Reclamation.
Carried forward
75,007.00
187