Q 117
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, $110,040.57 * Conveyance Allowances, 8,179.63 * Wages for Coolies, 13,571.45 Rent for Coolies, 4,104.00 Land Survey Contingencies, Transport and Travelling Expenses 3,089.69 Survey of Colony, 4,952.87 Incidental Expenses "General", 495.58 * Rent Allowances, 8,473.65 Total $152,907.44*Includes Coolies employed by Crown Lands Office.
4. European Staff:-The vacancies to which reference was made in the report for last year had not been filled at the end of 1927. In February 1928 Messrs. Gandy & DeVille joined the staff, both having passed through the probationary training course, as prescribed, of six months at Southampton during 1927.
Mr. E. B. Lambert returned from leave at the end of December and was again seconded to the Crown Lands Office.
Mr. Womack also returned from leave in August.
Mr. B. H. C. Hallowes left on long leave in February 1928.
5. Chinese Surveyors :-It is proposed to augment the staff by the addition of 2 1st grade and 2 2nd grade surveyors. The work of the Chinese staff has been very satisfactory and the whole of the officers concerned work well under European supervision. The 1st and 2nd grade surveyors have been entrusted with work of a more important nature than formerly. There are no Student Surveyors in training at present.
6. Trigonometrical Work:-The Eastern portion of the Colony on the mainland (Sha Tau Kok & Tung Hoi Districts) which had not been included in the main triangulation, was completed. Beacons were erected at Tate's Cairn, Hill 1610 (Sha Tau Kok), Peng Chau Island, Kat O, Shek Ngau Chau, Hill 1344 (Tai Po), Patsin, Port Island, Sharp Peak, Ma On