406
18
£50 annually. No other increases in salary scales are at present proposed as a result of this change though there have been some alterations of titles. For some time past, however, the Brigade has been sadly understaffed in senior ranks and with the acquirement of more Stations and equipment and the training of the Auxiliary Fire Service it is proposed to recruit two more Station Officers and one Assistant Mechanical Engineer, all on the salary scale £260 to £350 by 5 of £10 and 2 of £20. Four additional Firemen have been recruited during 1940 and they now appear in the Estimates for 1941-42.
HEAD 11A, HARBOUR DEPARTMENT.
The increased cost of materials and especially of coal and oil fuel accounts for most of the increases under Other Charges.
SUB-HEAD S.-Although provision for a new Lighthouse Tender is made under Special Expenditure (Sub-head 21) it is impossible to say in present circumstances whether the new vessel will be built; hence a sum sufficient to cover the hiring of private tugs for the full year is provided. In 1940-41 provision for only part of the year was made in the Estimates and it has been necessary to make additional provision by supplementary vote.
Special Expenditure.
SUB-HEAD 21. A new Lighthouse Tender was approved in 1939 at an estimated cost of $400,000 of which $160,000 was expected to be spent in 1939 and $240,000 in 1940-41. Owing to the war the building of this vessel has not been proceeded with; the cost is now estimated at approximately $600,000 and this sum is tentatively provided in the Estimates for 1941-42.
SUB-HEAD 22.—Provision is made for a new motor boat for the Police Depart- ment for patrol duties in the Tsun Wan district. This motor boat should have been built this year from funds provided under the Sub-head "Two new
new Police Motor Boats" in the 1940-41 Estimates, but the amount provided proved to be insufficient for two vessels and it was decided to defer the building of one of them.
SUB-HEAD 29.—A new launch is required to facilitate the work of the Stores Department and reduce expenditure incurred in the hire of launches for the trans- portation of Government stores.
HEAD 11B. AIR SERVICES.
Special Expenditure.
SUB-HEAD 13.—Provision is made for the replacement of an old ambulance which was new in 1922 and which it is now uneconomical to maintain.
SUB-HEAD 14.-With the advent of larger and heavier airliners it is considered that some mechanical means for the purpose of manoeuvering them should be provided.
Personal Emoluments.
Certain small increases in the Airport Ground Staff and one additional Tele- graphist, Class V, are considered necessary to deal with the growth in night traffic. A twenty-four hours service now has to be maintained at the Airport.
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