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C. BROADCASTING,
123. Broadcasting expenditure has hitherto been voted as a block grant to the Broadcasting Committee under Miscellaneous Services but in future an itemised budget will be presented as in the case of other Government Departments. The running of this service will continue to be carried out with the advice of the Broad- casting Committee.
HEAD 22. PRISONS.
Other Charges.
124. The decrease in Other Charges is mainly attributable to a decrease of $70,000 in the cost of subsistence of prisoners consequent upon the abandonment of the system of contracting by ration and the substitution of contracts for bulk supplies. There is also a saving of $5,500 on fuel as a result of the new system of supplying firewood from Government plantations.
Special Expenditure.
125. These printing machines are to replace two out of date machines one of which was purchased in 1913 and the other in 1922.
Personal Emoluments,
126. The prison at Stanley depends largely on its electrical plant for efficient functioning and the effects of a breakdown would be serious. In these circumstances approval was obtained from the Secretary of State for the creation of a post of Electrical Technician and the necessary provision is included accordingly.
127. Two new posts of Linotype Machine Operators are included. There are four Linotype Machines.
HEAD 24. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND WATER WORKS. 128. (omparison with 1938 is affected (i) by the expenditure on the Water Department being now shown separately in Section B of the Head; and (ii) by the removal of the Stores Department from the Public Works Department to a separate Head No. 29, After allowing for this division, however, there are few variations in Other Charges or Personal Emoluments calling for special mention.
.1.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
Special Expenditure.
129. Provision is made in Sub-heads 19 and 20 for replacements and addi- tions to keep the Government fleet of motor vehicles up to date. It is also proposed to provide in Sub-head 24 for a universal woodworking machine to facilitate repairs to motor vehicles.
B. WATER WORKS,
130. Salaries and other departmental expenditure are shown here; mainten· ance charges and contribution to the Renewals Fund are shown under Head 25B; and Appendix VIII contains comprehensive statements of estimated revenue and expenditure on water account with other relevant financial statements in pursuance of the policy as regards water finance set out in Sessional Paper No. 10 of 1938.
The acquisition of additional office equipment is provided for in anticipation of a larger number of accounts on the abolition of free allowances. Expenditure, sub-heads 8-10).
(Special
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131. Under Personal Emoluments provision is made for the salary of the Water Engineer on the new scale now approved for Assistant Director of Public Works.
HEAD 25. PUBLIC WORKS RECURRENT.
.1. PUBLIC WORKS (GENERAL).
132. Larger provision has been made under all Sub-heads than has been thought possible during the immediately preceding years, when financial stringency enforced almost dangerous economies in maintenance.
133. The practice of sub-dividing the Estimates provision under the several categories of works between the four geographical divisions of Hong Kong, Kow- loon, New Kowloon and New Territories, has been abandoned. Particulars both of actual and proposed expenditure in the several areas will, however, be available to Honourable Members if they wish to see them.
B. WATER WORKS.
134. As already mentioned this includes the first contribution of $399,907 to the Renewals and Improvements Fund.
135.
HEAD 27. SANITARY DEPARTMENT.
Special Expenditure.
SUB-HEAD 38.—Several of the S.D. lorries are very old and uneconomical Provision is made to replace three next year. No expenditure will be incurred except on recommendation of the Government Mechanical Engineer.
10 run.
136. SUB-HEAD 39.-It is proposed to take over the conservancy of Shaukiwan in 1939 and two junks will be required for this work. The existing conservancy con- tract has proved unsatisfactory.
187. SUB-HEAD 40. To replace a Refuse Barge which was wrecked and lost this year,
HEAD 29. STORES DEPARTMENT,
138. As stated in Part I of this Memo the Stores Department which was formerly shown under Public Works Department has been established as a separate department anl is now shown separately for the first time.
Other Charges.
1. GENERAL.
139. SUB-HEAD 4. Reference has already been made to the policy of supply- ing all Government departments with firewood from Government plantations. Pro- vision is included to cover costs of distribution.
C. SAND MONOPOLY.
140. SUB-HEAD 22.—Expenditure in the collection of sand has not previously been shown in the Estimates but has been charged to a suspense account and only the net revenue shown in the ordinary accounts. In future the gross receipts will be credited to revenue and expenditure will be duly authorised under this Head. penses estimated at $100,000 are provided for accordingly,
D.
UÑALLOCATED STORES.
Ex-
141. Sub-head 25 is a new item in pursuance of the new accounting system prescribed by the Secretary of State and set out in Sessional Paper No. 9 of 1938.
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