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Motor Drivers have been abolished. Sevon Office Attendants and one Coolie have been regraded from the grade of Messengers. With the opening of new schools it has been necessary to increase the menial staff and 32 new posts of Coolies and six new posts of Amahs are shown. The only other establishment change is the addition of four posts of Mistresses. These were authorized during 1950 to enable additional classes to be opened in the junior schools because of the inability of the King George V School to absorb pupils from the lower schools. These new classes will ensure that school-children can be taught up to the age of eleven in the junior schools. The result of these establishment changes is a reduction of $48,436 in personal emoluments.
With the increase of the number of Government schools it has been necessary to make additional provision for recurrent expenditure which is higher by $252,274. This increase is chiefly due to the provision of 102,000 for Lecturers' allowances, the major portionof which will be spent in the new Higher Chinese Studies evening classes which it is hoped will eventually be self-supporting from receipts from fees. An extra $56,900 is required for University scholarships consequent on the recent increase in fees at the University of Hong Kong. An extra $35,470 is needed for Subsistence allowances to uncertificated Teachers in training and an additional $34,070 for stores and equipment for the expansion of classes and schools next year.
Special Expenditure totals $348,060 compared with *315,000 last year but $81,000 of this total represents a re-vote.
The net increase on the Head is $236,888.
Head 10. Essential Services Corps.
A. Essential Services Corps.
Estimate 1951/52.
Revised Estimate 1950/51. Approved Estimate 1950/51. Actual Expenditure 1949/50.
€ 81,039 191,450 185,851
The duties of Commissioner of the Essential
Services Corps have now been taken over by a Cadet Officer Class II transferred for this purpose. Consequently the former non-pensionable post of Commissioner has been abolished. It has also been possible to abolish one Enrolment Officer and four temporary Clerks. As a result, personal emoluments show a decrease of $18,032.
Recurrent expenditure shows an apparent increase of 13,220 but this is accounted for by the inclusion of $14,400 for the rent of offices occupied by this department which was formerly paid from a Medical Department vote.
There is no provision for Special Expenditure items in 1950/51 and a reduction of 100,000 is therefore made.
Expenditure under the Head is reduced by the considerable amount of $104,812.
B. Civil Defence Planning Office.
Estimate 1951/52.
Revised Estimate 1950/51. Approved Estimate 1950/51. Actual Expendituro 1949/50.
$ 70,909
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