CO129-557-5 Estimates 1937 19-8-1936 - 7-8-1937 — Page 210

941

13.

In order to show more accurately the cost of each

Department, rent of public telephones has been charged to the

Departments concerned instead of to sub-head 41. $6,800 remains

under this sub-head to provide the rent of the Government telephone

exchange and cost of the Government directories. The total amount

provided under Departmental heads for rent of public telephones is

$15,905, the considerable increase in this item being almost

entirely due to the number of telephones required by the Queen

Mary Hospital and the New Gaol. The provision of telephones for

these two buildings has, however, been very carefully considered

and has been kept down to the minimum necessary for efficient

administration.

Similarly, the provision for purchase and upkeep of

typewriters has been split up between the departments concerned.

Provision for the purchase of new typewriters, where necessary,

will be found as an item of Special Expenditure under the depart-

mental heads concerned, whilst upkeep is charged to the Incidental

expenses of each department.

Head 32. Public Works Department.

Apart from the reduction of $19,000 on sub-head 7,

Electric Fans and Light, due to the splitting up of this vote

departmentally, there is a net reduction of $26,778 in Other

Charges.

Under Special Expenditure provision is made for a Radio

Diffusion Instrument, for the purpose of establishing a "wired

wireless" service, which, it is hoped, will be a source of revenue.

Climatic conditions in Hong Kong being generally unfavourable to

successful wireless reception by private receiving sets, it is

thought that a radio diffusion service will receive an adequate

measure of public support.

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