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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
public purse. Such sums as the Government considers equitable are provided in the Estimates, and it will be the duty of school managers so to regulate their arrangements, in consultation with the Director of Education, that their requirements can be met from the sums provided. Unauthorized expansion involving claims beyond the amounts provided will not be recognised by the Government as a legitimate charge on the Revenue. The amounts now inserted in the Estimates have been scrutinized very carefully and will it is hoped prove adequate. It will be noticed that the sum for building grants has been reduced, and I invite the special attention of persons interested to the remarks I have made elsewhere on the inability of Government to subsidize schemes started without adequate financial provision.
The $11,639 inserted for equipment for King's College includes gymnastic apparatus, physics and chemistry apparatus for 3rd year pupils, drawing models and a few minor items. Part of this sum will not be required until King's College is again available for educa- tional purposes.
Head 29-Public Works Department.
There is a nett reduction of $31,677 on personal emoluments of the Public Works Department. Of the increases $39,525 is for stipulated increments and $19,987 for new posts. Of the decreases $31,280 is accounted for by posts abolished and $46,445 by posts left vacant. Posts have been abolished and omitted from the Estimates where it is felt that there is no likelihood of their being required in normal years. Vacant posts are those which are regarded as neces- sary for the normal establishment of the department, but though shown in the Estimates they are at the moment left unfilled and without provision of funds for their salaries, owing to the reduction in the amount of Public Works provided for. Reduction has been effected by leaving unfilled posts which have become vacant through retirements, resignations, expiration of agreements and other causes. It will probably be possible to make further reductions as time goes on, if the programme of Public Works is not increased. Meanwhile, however, provision must be made for all officers who will be on the establishment on 1st January of next year.
It may seem curious that new posts are required in the Public Works Department but it must be remembered that the Public Works Department comprises many different sub-departments not all of which are affected by the reduction of Special Expenditure. The amount required for new posts provides for one Stenographer for the Accounts and Stores Branch, one Wireless Telegraphist for the Police Depart- inent, one Foreman Mechanic for the Government Garage at Wantsai, two 1st Class and two 2nd Class Assistant Land Surveyors required in connection with the revision of the survey of the Colony, one Cable Jointer and one Foreman. When considering the staff of the Public
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