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1.
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vrede, not 000, A
461 under-estimate; of $2,500 for Maintenance of Buildings in the New
Territories (item 39) due to a large increase in the contract rate; and of $2,000 for Maintenance of Roads and Bridges in the
New Territories (item 41) due to a greater length of roads. It has been possible to make reductions in other items with the result that the estimate for next year under this head is only
100 more than that for this year.
16.
The programme of Public Works for 1916, amounting to 81,279,400, has been drawn up with the greatest regard to economy, and comprises only works which either are in progress or cannot be postponed. This expenditure will, however, cause a deficit of 8473,764, as the amount available, if the revenue and expenditure are to balance is only 2805,636. This sum, however, is insufficient to meet the estimated expenditure
on the two largest works under construction the Tytam Tuk Scheme Second Section, and the additional Service Regrvoir at West Point
which require between them a sum of no less than $900,000.
-
HONGKONG: Buildings.
[]
The sums provided for items 1, 2,
and 3 are required to pay the retention money on works already
completed.
The $46,000 entered for the erection of
quarters for subordinate officers at Happy Valley (item 4) is a re-vote. A sum of $50,000 was inserted in the Estimates of the current year for this purpose, but the work has not as yet been proceeded with. It is, in my opinion, very desirable that these quarters should be erected as soon as possible, and tenders for
the work have now been called for.
A sum of 830,000 has been entered under item 5, as it is possible that a start may be made with the
extension of the Central Police Station. As reported in my
Despatch No. 320 of the 27th. September, 1915, a supplementary vote for $245,000 has been taken for the resumption of the area required, including buildings. The negotiations for the re-
-sumption have been concluded, and Government will obtain
possession
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.