CO129-555-2 Estimates 1936 30-8-1935 - 29-1-1937 — Page 249

287

25.

used for work on which it is unnecessary to use a heavy roller,

which has been the practice hitherto. Sub-head 17 Upkeep of

Quarry Plants shows an increase of $5,000; but this is nominal,

for the vote now includes $5,000 which was previously included

in "Special Expenditure". With the establishment next year of

an Aviation Meteorological Service there will be a new wireless

transmitter to operate at Kai Tak, consequently the vote "Repairs,

Stores and Current" under Radio Telegraph Branch must be increased by $3,000. The largest item under Special Expenditure is the

short wave telephone transmitter, $72,000, which arises out of

the recommendation of the Economic Commission, that Hong Kong

should improve its short wave broadcasting transmissions, mainly

with the idea of making the Colony better known. But in any case

the inauguration next year of the Aviation Meteorological Service

will deprive the Broadcasting Committee of one of its trans-

mitters, for it has, as I explained, been using one that was

originally purchased for aviation purposes.

The two lorries to be replaced, sub-head 23, are more

than ten years old, and have reached the stage where the repair

bill is so heavy that it is uneconomical to continue them in

service.

Head 33, Public Works Recurrent.

There is a reduction on the Head of $143,100, and

there was a reduction in the 1935 Estimates, as compared with

the 1934 Estimates, of $78,750; in other words the provision

for 1936 is $221,850 less than it was for 1934. This means

of course that there must be a falling off in the high standard

at which Goverment buildings, roads, bridges, piers, etc., have