CO129-550-1 Estimates 1935 14-9-1934 - 15-9-1934 — Page 339

22.

Government Ambulance work under one Department.

409

The

Fire Brigade at the present time does all the ambulance work except in the cases of lepers and mendicants where wheeled ambulances, hand propelled, are supplied by the Sanitary Department which has thirty-three such ambulances and six carrying ambulances. It is considered that two suitably fitted small motor cars, one on either side of the Harbour, would suffice for the work and enable the wheeled hand ambulances to be dispensed with. The Motor Ambulances (Sub-Head 15) is to replace one of the large Albion Ambulances purchased in 1921. The chassis of these ambulances is obsolete and any spare parts required have to be specially made.

Provision is made for charge allowances to four Chinese Sub-Officers at $180 each. Owing to the shortage of Europeans in the Brigade it is necessary to put Chinese Sub-Officers in charge of certain Sub- Stations. These men perform the same duties as a European Assistant Station Officer would perform in charge of a Station. As the employment of Chinese Sub- Officers for the work obviates the necessity of increas- ing the European establishment provision of such charge allowances is considered equitable and economical.

The provision of three ambulance dressers in 1934 has proved a success and has led to greater efficiency in the Brigade by the relief of Sub-Officers for purely fire duties. It is considered desirable to recruit three more for 1935. There will then be suffi- cient ambulance dressers to man the Hong Kong and Kowloon

ambulances.