Enclosure No. 2.
FINANCE COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H.E. the Governor, laid upon the table the report of the Finance Committee, No. 12 of November 16th, 1932, and moved that it be adopted.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded and this was agreed to.
VEHICULAR FERRY.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER.-With Your Excellency's permission I should like to take this opportunity of making a statement on the general financial position of the Ferry Piers. The original revised estimate amounted to $1,500,000 of which sum local work was estimated at $1,250,000 and cost of machinery $250,000. When tenders were called for the running of the service the question of an alternative berth at the Jordan Road Pier arose and it was decided that this should be built whilst the work was going on and not added subsequently at greater expense and inconvenience to traffic. The additional berth cost $40,000. Subsequently discussion arose as to end loading of passengers on the Vehicular Ferry and as a result of agreement between all the technical representatives concerned a scheme was evolved which included alterations to the waiting areas and construction of an accounts office at an extra cost of $12,000. The machinery originally estimated at £12,000 or $250,000 actually cost £15,400 but exchange at 1s/4d reduced the dollar price to $211,000. Additional machinery was later considered essential for successful working and control and two electrical winches and two weigh- bridges were purchased at a cost of £2,600 or $39,000 at 1s/4d. The total cost therefore amounted to $270,000 against the original sum of $250,000 allowed, an excess of $20,000. Furthermore the salaries and allowances of officers of the Public Works permanent staff directly employed on this work were not allowed for in the original estimate and amount to $95,000 for the period 1st January, 1931, to 31st December, 1932, and are estimated at $12,000 during 1933 or a total of $107,000. As no provision was made under Public Works Personal Emoluments it will be recollected that in 1931 Council approved Message No. 8 item No. 37) of a supplementary vote of $209,921 in respect of salaries of officers employed on loan works being temporarily charged to Personal Emoluments. An adjustment is now necessary.
Summing up, the financial position is as follows:-
Original revised estimate
$1,500,000
Additions:
Net extra cost of machinery
$20,000
Additional berth
40,000
Alterations to waiting area and Con-
struction of accounts office ...
12,000
Salaries
107,000
179,000
Total $1,679,000
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