CO129-561-10 Estimates 1938 2-9-1937 - 23-9-1938 — Page 325

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within the Empire will be carried by air at ordinary rates.

A beginning has already been made elsewhere and we expect

that the system will be extended to Hong Kong early next year.

Under Imports and Exports Department will be found.

provision for the payment of a personal allowance, already

approved by the Finance Committee and by the Secretary of

State, to Mr. H. A. Taylor in recognition of the value of his services to the Colony; also, for the salary of an Assistant

Monopoly Analyst. The title is somewhat misleading, since

the opium monopoly, whatever may have been the case in the

past, is now of little importance. On the other hand, the

control of liquor and tobacco, both very important sources of

revenue, requires technical knowledge not usually possessed

by a purely administrative officer. More important still,

there is the menace of the traffic in dangerous drugs.

The

The Finance Committee has agreed to this appointment

and steps are being taken to recruit a suitable officer.

I should perhaps say a word about the two large

items of Special Expenditure under Harbour Department.

new launch is of course required by the Sanitary Department

for towing refuse lighters. The present S.D.2 is quite unseaworthy and cannot economically be repaired. The diaphone for Waglan will replace the existing apparatus which is out of

date and cannot satisfactorily be kept in repair; it is regarded as essential for the safety of shipping approaching

Hong Kong.

Air Services show a large increase, inevitable

when we consider the sudden ind rapid growth of Services

using the Air Port.

Provision will be found under Public Works

Extraordinary for the construction of a third court at the

Central Magistracy.

The number of cases heard at this