Q 156
3. Cost of Office. As the Survey Office forms part of the Public Works Department and is accommodated in the same building, the charges for numerous items such as lighting, heating, electric fans, etc., cannot be stated. Omitting these items the statement of costs is as follows:-
Salaries, $110,724.95 Conveyance Allowances, 7,891.11 Wages for coolies, 18,172.88 Rent for coolies, 4,085.59 Land Survey Contingencies, 47.57 Transport and Travelling Expenses, 2,539.57 Survey of Colony, 3,488.26 Incidental Expenses General, 289.17 Rent Allowances, 3,954.62 Total $146,143.72much
4. European Staff:-This staff has become very depleted. The vacancies, mention of which was made in the Survey Report for 1925, have not been filled. It is proposed to fill two vacancies as early as possible.
Mr. Plascott whose agreement had terminated left the service on the 19th of March.
Mr. Lambert was seconded to the Crown Lands Office until he went on leave at the end of February and his services were not available for any period during the year.
Mr. Douglas was away on leave for more than 4 months.
Mr. Angwin was absent for nine months, also on leave.
Mr. Womack went on leave at the end of October, sometime after Mr. Douglas' return.
In addition one officer was dismissed and another has tendered his resignation which will further reduce the staff, so it is feared, unless some of these vacancies are filled at an early date the survey work of the Colony, the arrears of which were being overtaken, will again fall behind.
5. Chinese Surveyors.-This staff has been augmented by the promotion of two computers to the rank of Apprentice Surveyors and the engagement of an additional new computer. Two European senior Surveyors superintend the work, one being in charge in Hong Kong and the other in Kowloon and New Kowloon,