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HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
proved a success so far, and I therefore | propose to increase the number of the scouts as opportunity offers. The sum paid to each scout is $60 a year, and the provision made is therefore sufficient for twenty, of whom eight are already being employed. The votes for Incidental Expenses, Secret Service, and Transport have been increased by $1,600, $3,000, and $3,000 respectively, the amounts inserted this year having been under-estimated. The vote for coal and oil-fuel for launches has been increased by $6,300, to meet the rise in price and to provide for the motor launch. Under Light and Electric Fans"
an increase of $1,015 has been estimated for. Of this sum $165 is for the lighting of Shaukiwan and Tsat-tsz- mui Stations.
Under Special Expenditure provision
has been made for a new steam-launch at a cost of $37,500. This launch is to replace No. 2 launch, which has been condemned as unseaworthy and sold. A sum of $1,800 has been provided for the hire of a launch pending the completion of the new launch. The motor launch to which I have already referred is estimated to cost $5,000.
Fire Brigade
Provision has been made for a new motor fire engine and pump at a cost of $13,364. This is for use in the City of Victoria. Experience of the motor tender at present in
use has shown the great advantage of motor propelled fire appliances. It has been found possible to get the engine to all parts of the City where there are Chinese buildings. On the upper levels in many places there is not sufficient water pressure and volume to throw more than one jet to the top of a building. The use of a motor pump will remedy this defect.
Prison
Under Special Expenditure a sum of $3,840 has been entered for the purchase of machines and tools for the printing shop in order to cope with the increasing work and to secure greater efficiency.
Under Special Expenditure a sum of $1,500 has been provided for the equipments necessary for the examination of cassia and anise oils. This work, which has been undertaken at the request of the Chamber of Commerce, will be carried on in a room built specially for the purpose. It is expected that the expenditure incurred will be recovered from the fees paid for the examinations.
Medical Department Provision has been made for three additional sisters at a total cost of $3,737. This increase to the staff has been rendered necessary by the separation of the Maternity Hospital nursing staff from that of the Government Civil Hospital.
Sanitary Department
Four Inspectors have been added to the establishment on the recommendation of the Sanitary Board at a cost of $7,474. These Inspectors are required for the purpose of carrying out the periodical cleansing of Chinese
tenement houses
every quarter instead of half-yearly as hitherto. In consequence of these new posts it has been necessary to provide for four 5th Grade Interpreters costing $1,920. In order to cope with the extra cleansing work 32 coolies are required at
a cost of $4,224. Provision has also been made for 25 scavenging coolies at a cost of $2,700. Of these, 15 are for the Eastern half of the City and the Peak, and 10 for the Western half of the City. The steady growth of new houses and streets has made it impossible for the present staff to cover the ground properly. In November, 1913, а departmental haulage system was instituted for pulling the scavenging carts in place of the contract system, which had proved unsatisfactory. Sixty men were required for this work, and the trial during the current year has been so successful that it has been decided to adopt the system permanently. Provision has, therefore, been made for this number of men (being half the contract number) during next year at a cost of $6,480. By this change a saving of $90 has been effected with a great gain in efficiency.
Under Other Charges a sum of $3,110 has been provided for lighting smaller markets. There is an increase of $1,300 in the vote "Uniform for Staff" due to the additions to the staff mentioned above.
Under Special Expenditure a sum of $10,000 has again been entered for the removal of ceilings in order to permit of a continuance of the plague-preventiv
measures.
Two four-wheeled water-car have been provided for a cost of $1,25 to replace two of the old two-wheele carts, which are very hard on the bullock and are continually in need of repairs.
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Botanical and Forestry Department | $2,241,305, a sum of $298,154 is in respect will be seen that of the total amount of
Under Special Expenditure a sum of $1,530 has been provided for making a new lawn at Mountain Lodge in place of the present chunam court.
Education
of arrears during the current year. These arrears are much larger than usual, but this is naturally due to the increase in
revenue.
Volunteers
27
Public Works
and
The most important item under this
There is an increase of $8,850 in the vote head is the provision for the transfer of in the strength of the corps.
Capitation Grant due to the increase the Ellis Kadoorie School to the Govern- ment.
Under In the month of April last, Mr.
Volunteer Reserves Ellis Kadoorie offered to hand over to
has been entered for "
a sum of $1,050 Capitation Grant." the Government the splendid buildings
This is a new sub-head and provides for of the school, which bears his name, and which has been approved by the Secretary a grant of $3 a head for 350 efficiente, land on which it stands, completely of State. Under Special Expenditure a equipped and entirely free of charge. further sum of $13,222 has been entered The approval of the Secretary of State for was obtained for the transfer, and the ammunition.
the purchase of rifles Government has therefore become possessed through the great generosity of Mr. Ellis Kadoorie of a valuable addition to its scholastic institutions. A sum of $28,700 has been entered under Personal Emoluments to provide for the necessary staff, and a sum of $945 under Other Charges to meet the cost of electric fans, books, prizes, and incidental expenses. At the Belilios Public School provision has been made for an Assistant Mistress, as the existing staff is inadequate to deal with the increased attendance. The staff of the Indian School has been increased at a cost of $2,880, as it is expected that the school will be transferred to permanent building on a new site in July, 1915. This building, which is estimated to cost $40,000, is the gift of a generous donor, who wishes for the present to remain anonymous.
Under the heading sub-head University Examination Grants, $6,880" has been inserted. These grants will take the place of the existing grants for the Oxford Local Examina- tions, which were estimated $4,715 in 1914.
to cost
#f
"Grants"
a
a
new
Under Special Expenditure a sum of $1,994 has been inserted for furniture for the quarters attached to the Kowloon British School, Victoria British School and the Peak School, as it has been decided to provide necessary heavy furniture for these quarters.
Military Expenditure
The Defence Contribution shows an increase of $542,325. The calculation of this item is shown in Appendix II. It
Two of
$3,360 has been entered to provide for six Under Personal Emoluments a sum of
each in connection with the Tytamtuk additional foremen and one clerk at $480 Scheme, Second Section. Provision has Surveyors at a cost of $11,211. been made for three additional Land these surveyors are required in connection and the third is for adjusting arrears in with the Praya East Reclamation Scheme, the survey work in the New Territories. Under "Water Works" two 3rd Grade House Service Inspectors have been present time there is provided for at a cost of $1,920. At the no systematic method of carrying out these inspections, which are designed for the detection of unauthorised connections, and the repair of leaks and defective fittings. This will tend to prevent waste of water, and to ensure that the provisions of the law are more effectively enforced.
Under Other Charges the following items have been increased:-
Conveyance Allowance by $1,440 for the three new surveyors, and for the two apprentice surveyors in the Crown Lands and Surveys Department, for whom no allowances have hitherto been provided.
Drawing Materials and Mount-
ing Plans
Land Survey Contingencies
.$1,800 1,000
Under Special Expenditure a sum of for the offices consisting of plan cases, $1,000 has been provided for furniture book-cases and filing-cabinets.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.