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share of the subsidy to the Empire air mail scheme and the other the Colony's share of the subsidy to the Hong Kong-Penang Service. The Colony's share in the subsidy to Empire air mail services was originally fixed at £5,000, but was reduced to £4,166. 13s. 4d. so that the total charge on the Colony's finances, including Military Contribution payable in respect of the revenue raised to meet the payment would not exceed £5,000, The payment in respect of the subsidy to the Hong Kong-Penang service is £5,000, but with no abatement on account of Military Contribution.
Post Office Staff establishment has been increased by one Class VI clerk, to provide for the establishment of a Post Office at Stanley which will be necessary when the new Gaol opens and four postmen for rural deliveries. The duty of postal deliveries in rural districts has hitherto devolved on the Police, an arrangement which is not considered satisfactory.
B. Fireless.
The vacant post of assistant Traffic Superintendent has not been filled pending a decision regarding the future of the Colony's wireless services.
Head 9. Imports and Exports Department.
The continued decline in the sales of opium has made possible a reduction in the expenses of the Government Opium Shops.
The post of Senior Revenue Officer, which has been left
in abeyance since 1930 is restored, it being felt that possibili- ties of promotion and therefore incentive, for Revenue Officers, are at present too restricted.
The Hong Kong Governments' credit balance in the opium account at Singapore is now exhausted, and therefore the cost of boiling and packing opium in tubes, previously deducted from the