—A (1) 3
Savings in the Fire Brigade vote were mainly owing to personnel being below the authorised establishment and to the non-arrival of one of the light motor pumps provided for in the Estimates.
Under the head of Police Force savings were due to vacancies in the establishment and officers being on leave.
Lapsing salaries and overestimating the sum required for medicines and surgical appliances were chiefly responsible for the savings in the Medical Department.
The savings in the Sanitary Department vote are accounted for by lapsing salaries and deferring the purchase of a new refuse barge for which provision was made in the Estimates.
The Education Department showed savings as a result of lapsing salaries and a reduction in capitation and building grants.
The Public Works Department showed a saving mainly due to lapsing salaries and a tendency to overestimate requirements for "other charges".
The considerable saving under Public Works Extraordinary was brought about by the general policy of retrenchment pursued by the Government. Public works not of an urgent character were postponed and work was delayed on such schemes as were already in progress wherever this could be done without disadvantage.
The saving shown under the head Charge On Account of Public Debt was due to repayment of the greater part of the Local War Loan being effected in the first half of the year with a consequent saving of interest. The Sinking Fund investments realised sufficient to make any further contribution unnecessary and the provision for this was therefore allowed to lapse.
The scheme for the formation of a Naval Volunteer Reserve in Hong Kong was not proceeded with.
The principal heads showing excess were as follows:-
EXCESS.
Miscellaneous Services
Charitable Services
$357,695
22,134
The vote for Miscellaneous Services was exceeded largely on account of services of a special nature necessitated by the political situation and for which no provision was made in the Estimates. The cost of transport of Government Servants was greatly underestimated and to a smaller degree this fault was apparent in several other items.
—A (1) 3
Savings in the Fire Brigade vote were mainly owing to personnel being below the authorised establishment and to the non-arrival of one of the light motor pumps provided for in the Estimates.
Under the head of Police Force savings were due to vacancies in the establishment and officers being on leave.
Lapsing salaries and overestimating the sum required for medicines and surgical appliances were chiefly responsible for the savings in the Medical Department.
The savings in the Sanitary Department vote are accounted for by lapsing salaries and deferring the purchase of a new refuse barge for which provision was made in the Estimates.
The Education Department showed savings as a result of lapsing salaries and a reduction in capitation and building grants.
The Public Works Department showed a saving mainly due to lapsing salaries and a tendency to overestimate requirements for "other charges".
The considerable saving under Public Works Extraordinary was brought about by the general policy of retrenchment pursued by the Government. Public works not of an urgent character were postponed and work was delayed on such schemes as were already in progress wherever this could be done without dis- advantage.
The saving shown under the head Charge On Account of Public Debt was due to repayment of the greater part of the Local War Loan being effected in the first half of the year with a consequent saving of interest. The Sinking Fund investments realised sufficient to make any further contribution unnecessary and the provision for this was therefore allowed to lapse.
The scheme for the formation of a Naval Volunteer Reserve in Hong Kong was not proceeded with.
The principal heads showing excess were as follows:-
EXCESS.
Miscellaneous Services
Charitable Services
$357,695 22,134
The vote for Miscellaneous Services was exceeded largely on account of services of a special nature necessitated by the political situation and for which no provision was made in the Estimates. The cost of transport of Government Servants was greatly underestimated and to a smaller degree this fault was apparent in several other items.
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