941
13.
In order to show more accurately the cost of each
Department, rent of public telephones has been charged to the
Departments concerned instead of to sub-head 41. $6,800 remains
under this sub-head to provide the rent of the Government telephone
exchange and cost of the Government directories. The total amount
provided under Departmental heads for rent of public telephones is
$15,905, the considerable increase in this item being almost
entirely due to the number of telephones required by the Queen
Mary Hospital and the New Gaol. The provision of telephones for
these two buildings has, however, been very carefully considered
and has been kept down to the minimum necessary for efficient
administration.
Similarly, the provision for purchase and upkeep of
typewriters has been split up between the departments concerned.
Provision for the purchase of new typewriters, where necessary,
will be found as an item of Special Expenditure under the depart-
mental heads concerned, whilst upkeep is charged to the Incidental
expenses of each department.
Head 32. Public Works Department.
Apart from the reduction of $19,000 on sub-head 7,
Electric Fans and Light, due to the splitting up of this vote
departmentally, there is a net reduction of $26,778 in Other
Charges.
Under Special Expenditure provision is made for a Radio
Diffusion Instrument, for the purpose of establishing a "wired
wireless" service, which, it is hoped, will be a source of revenue.
Climatic conditions in Hong Kong being generally unfavourable to
successful wireless reception by private receiving sets, it is
thought that a radio diffusion service will receive an adequate
measure of public support.
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