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within the Empire will be carried by air at ordinary rates.
A beginning has already been made elsewhere and we expect
that the system will be extended to Hong Kong early next year.
Under Imports and Exports Department will be found.
provision for the payment of a personal allowance, already
approved by the Finance Committee and by the Secretary of
State, to Mr. H. A. Taylor in recognition of the value of his services to the Colony; also, for the salary of an Assistant
Monopoly Analyst. The title is somewhat misleading, since
the opium monopoly, whatever may have been the case in the
past, is now of little importance. On the other hand, the
control of liquor and tobacco, both very important sources of
revenue, requires technical knowledge not usually possessed
by a purely administrative officer. More important still,
there is the menace of the traffic in dangerous drugs.
The
The Finance Committee has agreed to this appointment
and steps are being taken to recruit a suitable officer.
I should perhaps say a word about the two large
items of Special Expenditure under Harbour Department.
new launch is of course required by the Sanitary Department
for towing refuse lighters. The present S.D.2 is quite unseaworthy and cannot economically be repaired. The diaphone for Waglan will replace the existing apparatus which is out of
date and cannot satisfactorily be kept in repair; it is regarded as essential for the safety of shipping approaching
Hong Kong.
Air Services show a large increase, inevitable
when we consider the sudden ind rapid growth of Services
using the Air Port.
Provision will be found under Public Works
Extraordinary for the construction of a third court at the
Central Magistracy.
The number of cases heard at this