-A 30
Education Department
Kowloon-Canton Railway
Defence: (a) Volunteer Defence Corps.
(c) Military Contribution
Miscellaneous Services
Public Works Recurrent
30,403
53,696
:
13,861
85,661
126,555
159,688
154,660
Public Works Extraordinary
These decreases were due to a variety of causes. While lower exchange caused an increase in personal emoluments, reductions in staff, lapsing salaries of vacancies unfilled and strict economy resulted in a net decrease compared with the Estimates.
In the Colonial Secretary's Office several cadet appointments were not filled and in the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs the post of Inspector of Factories remained vacant. Several posts in the Wireless Telegraph Service of the Post Office were also unfilled in view of the possible transfer of that Service.
Fire Brigade.
The main saving here was under Special Expenditure due to fewer pedestal hydrants being installed and to the postponement of the installation of a Fire Hydrant Service in the Post Office Building. These saved the sums of $3,166 and $3,100 respectively. A new motor fire engine for which $20,000 was provided was not delivered during the year. Against these savings were increases in the cost of Coal and Oil Fuel, of $1,709, more extensive repairs to Motor Engines and Plant costing an additional sum of $2,042, and the purchase of a new Motor Ambulance for $8,391 for which provision had been made in 1935 and had lapsed.
Medical Department.
A considerable increase in Personal Emoluments of $27,024 was due to lower exchange, and for the same reason and on account of an increase in the number of patients further sums of $5,514 and $2,201 were required for Bedding and Clothing and for Washing. The Expenses of Courses of Study, &c., exceeded the estimate by $1,945 and increased numbers caused an increase of $2,486 in the cost of Maintenance of Lunatics at Canton.
decrease:
But practically all other subheads showed a decrease. $2,182 was saved on Cleansing Materials, $1,575 on Fuel and Light, while $10,431 less was spent on Medicines, Surgical Appliances and Instruments. This was partly due to cheaper prices but mainly to some of the orders not being fully executed during the year. $33,316 was saved on Provisions for Patients due to a lower contract rate, and $2,855 on Upkeep of Hospital