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A European Marine Supervisor who will be in charge of the launch and will look after the flying boat side generally has also been provided. Six extra Grounds- men have been provided as the present staff of two is totally inadequate to keep the landing area in good condition.
3. The time has now arrived when an additional Assistant Superintendent of Aerodrome has become necessary.
Work has increased to such an extent that the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent have to work in shifts, and the depar- ture of the existing Assistant Superintendent on leave early in 1938 renders the additional appointment imperative.
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4. Under Other Charges the vote Flying Fees for Staff' has had to be increased in view of the appointment of a new Assistant Superintendent of Aerodrome. Equipment for Aeronautical Inspection Department " has been transferred from Special Expenditure as it appears likely that this vote will be recurrent for some years. Several Sub-heads have been amalgamated and a new item Upkeep of Motor Boats " appears with the provision of launches,
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Head 11-Royal Observatory.
The increase in the figure for the Royal Observatory is accounted for by the provision of an up to date Balloon Theodolite for upper air observations at Kai Tak and by the renovation of the existing Anemograph at the Observatory in order that wind velocities up to 200 miles per hour may be recorded. Recent tests have shown that wind velocities of more than 125 miles per hour are not accurately recorded. It is necessary to increase the staff by one Class V Computer for duty at Kai Tak Aerodrome in connection with weather forecasting for aviation.
Head 12-Fire Brigade.
1. A reduction in the total for Personal Emoluments under this Head is due to the retirement of the Superintendent of the Fire Brigade. Provision has been made for filling the vacancy by promotion. The title and post of Fourth Officer have been substituted by an additional Station Officer. By re-organization of work the number of Assistant Station Officers has been reduced by one. Two posts for Class VIB Telephone Clerks have been abolished with the centralization of the Kowloon Fire Brigade, the holders of these posts having been transferred to the Queen Mary Hospital for duty as telephone clerks. With the disposal of No. 3 Fire Float, it has been possible to dispense with one Class III Engineer and one Class II Seaman. It has been found necessary to provide one extra sailmaker. Some- what higher scales of salary have been allotted to the posts of Mechanical Engineer and Assistant Mechanical Engineer in view of the responsible duties per- formed by these officers.
2. An increase in the total for Other Charges is largely caused by the rent payable for the new Fire Station which combines the Old Mong Kok and Shan- shuipo Stations.
Incidentally, the new Fire Station provides two additional married quarters and saves two European rent allowances. More replacements of hose, heavier repairs to Motor Engines and Plant and higher prices account for the remainder of the increase.
The new
3. Two items of Special Expenditure call for special mention. ambulance is to replace an existing Albion Ambulance which is worn out and is con- stantly under repair. The provision of a Motor Turntable Fire Engine Chassis is in one respect something of an economy. Hitherto there have been used in Kow- leon a steel fire-escape, purchased in 1934, mounted on a chassis purchased in 1922, and a Merryweather Fire Engine purchased in 1915. The 1922 chassis has recently proved unequal to the strain of the heavy steel ladders and has had to be put out of commission as unsafe. It is now proposed to purchase a new chassis which
will carry these ladders as well as a fire pump. If this proposal is approved, it will be unnecessary to replace the 1915 Merryweather Fire Engine which would otherwise have to be replaced at an estimated cost of $50,000 in another year.
4. The usual provision is made for the progressive replacement of underground hydrants by pedestal hydrants. Two sets of apparatus for chemical fire fighting in Kowloon, at present without such appliances, have been included.
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Head 13 Supreme Court.
1. A redistribution of the staff of this department involving some changes of status and title has been made under this Head, but no increase is made in the total establishment.
2. An increase has been made in the Library vote for the purchase of some essential new books over and above normal requirements, A safe is being provided
for the use of the Puisne Judge.
Head 14-Attorney General.
Provision has been made under this Head for one temporary stenographer who has been recruited in connection with the revision of the Laws and Ordinances of Hong Kong now in progress.
Head 15-Crown Solicitor.
The only changes under this Head are those due to the introduction of the new scales of salaries applicable to members of the Colonial Legal Service and to the substitution of a fixed salary of £1.350 for the Crown Solicitor in place of the old scale of £1,150 to £1,400 by £50 annually.
Head 16-Official Receiver.
The scale of salary of £1,000 to £1,150 by £50 annually with Residential Allowance has been approved for the new holder of the post of Official Receiver in place of the former scale of £1,000 to £1,200 by £50 annually without allowance.
Head 17-Land Office.
The Land Officer has been provided with a stenographer on the usual scale to enable him to deal with the great amount of routine matter connected with the preparation of Crown leases.
Head 18-Magistracy, Hong Kong.
It has been decided to make the necessary provision under this Head for a third court at the Central Magistracy to cope with the progressively increasing number of cases. Two Class VIB clerks, one messenger, and one coolie additional have accordingly been included, and extra provision has been made under Electric Fans and Light and Uniform for Messengers. The change will it is hoped come into effect on the 1st July, 1938, and the increases have been calculated only on a six months basis with the exception of the two Class VIB clerks, who will be taken on the establishment as from 1st January, 1938, owing to increased clerical work in connection with committal cases.
Head 19--Magistracy, Kowloon.
Provision has been made under this Head for one additional Class VIB Clerk in view of the increase in the number of cases, especially committal cases.
Head 20-Police Force.
1. Personal Emoluments under this Head remain almost unchanged despite many changes. Three new Probationers are to be recruited to fill vacancies and anticipated vacancies in the administrative staff, there being a net increase of one post. Two additional Class VIB clerks have been provided to meet deficiencies of staff in the Traffic Office, Kowloon, and in No. 2 Police Station, respectively.
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