CO129-398 - Individuals - 1912 — Page 168

164

Yam. I obleri

9.

2

There remains the sum of $641,171 asked for by Mr

Winslow. It is beyond my competence to criticise the details which make up this estimate, nor is it possible for anyone to do so without more detailed information

than appears in Enclosure 3. It strikes me however,

as a somewhat liberal one. There is not, I think any

earthwork to peak of which should not be properly charge- able to Maintenance. The items $43,000 for Kooloon

station yard, and $288,000 for station are very heavy

and I feel some doubt as to whether it is necessary to

incur this large expenditure all at once, and until the

traffic shews a considerable expansion, I suggest that

they may very possibly be spread over at least two years

and provided in the "Public Works Extraordinary" Programme. Locos and C.W.rolling stock amount to $265,500. Two new

engines are urgently required and have already been sanc-

tioned, as also eight coaches now under erection, but I

trust that the General Manager will be able to defer the

remainder for a short time. The third loco is desired

(in par:4) on the grounds of an expected great increase

in traffic, but in para:9 it is anticipated that the traf-

fic receipts this year will be decreased by the unsettled

state of China. Mr Severn points out that the estimates

already provide $15,000 for this service. I have already

recorded my opinion locally that the expenditure of

$60,000 (par.7.) on the Manager's house is not at present

justified, and that a house allowance of $75 p.m. should

be granted. I am not quite clear that the site on Crown land

marked A (Encl.7. of Desp.96) (in the area enclosed in blue)

would not be suitable. In any case since it is represented

that this sum is a remunerative instrument upon which in-

terest will be paid in the form of rent it hardly appears

(4)