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103. The painting gang was fully employed throughout the year, principally on station buildings and staff quarters.
104. Detached kitchens were added to three ganghuts and one Traffic quarter. This was the first part of a 3-years programme to improve staff accommodation.
105. Considerable work was undertaken for the Military Authorities in connection with the Defence Scheme.
VI.-STORES.
106. A Board of Survey in the last quarter of the year pronounced the stock correct with articles well arranged and books well kept.
107. More local purchases of stores were made due to extensive overhauls and repairs carried out by the Central Mechanical Workshops to locomotives and wagons, and the assembly of three new first-class sleeping cars, all belonging to the Canton-Hankow Railway.
108. A close watch was kept on the Unallocated Stores supply, the balance on December 31st being $118,507.99 against the $175,000.00 authorized.
109. The prices of Stores rose considerably; coal by 29%, metals by 60%, and locally purchased articles other than metals by 9.5%.
110. The position of Stores was as follows:-
Balance of Unallocated Stores at 31.12.36 $123,141.37 Stores purchased in 1937: Coal $184,255.58 Sleepers 20,052.51 By Local Contract 114,891.03 From Public Works Department (Oils, petrol, etc.) 49,390.13 Crown Agents 79,769.68 448,358.93 Total $571,500.30 Stores issued 452,992.31 Balance of Unallocated Stores at 31.12.37 $118,507.99