CO129-536-1 Estimates- 1932 3-9-1931 - 16-6-1933 — Page 197

23.3

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As Hon. Mombers of the Council are amaro, major

resumptions in New Kowloon arc by no means finished.<

When they are, it is Government's intention to plac

all the valuation work for Governant under the Assessor

in the Treasury. Meanwhile the Valuations and Resumptions

Office must be retained under the Public Works Department.

The Waterworks (Maintenance) Office is, as its nemo

implics, occupied solely with maintenance, which is a constant charge, independent of constructional ork, except in so far s new water works have on completion to be looked after by

the Maintenance Office.

· T

Under Other Charges a reduction of $15,000 of

obeer

30% has been effected in conveyance allowances.

The other sub-heads have been closely scrutinised and only

the minimum amounts possible inserted. Sub-head 17 shows a heavy increasc, but this is for the Radio Telegraph Branch, one of the most profitable and most rapidly expanding of the

Government's assets.

None of the items under Special Expenditure calls

for any special comment.

HEAD 36.- PUBLIC WORKS RECURRENT.

This vote his again been kept down to a low figure.

It will I fear mean a lowering of the high standard at whi ch the Colony's roads have hitherto been maintained, whilst ath the same time the minimum will be done to Government buildings.

The question of effecting economies in street lighting is being considered, though I would assure Honourable Members that it is not proposed to reduce the lighting in

the