CO129-576-10 Estimates 1940 6-10-1939 - 22-10-1940 — Page 379

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HEAD 23A.

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PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

SUB-HEADS 16 AND 17.-Considerable increases in road work (under Head 24A Public Works Recurrent, Sub-head 2. and Head 30 Public Works Extraordinary, Sub-head 1) are proposed for 1940-1, and four 23 ton Tipping Lorries and three 12 ton Rollers are required for the purpose. The other three lorries are replacements.

HEAD 23B. WATERWORKS.

SUB-HEAD 11. Two motor vans.

At present all water meter repairs have to be done in the workshop and for this purpose large and antiquated lorries with a heavy petrol consumption have to be used as the department has no other vehicles.

The acquisition of two small vans will—

(1) reduce transport expenses on meter repairs to a fraction of the

previous figures.

(2) make it possible to perform many repairs on the site; thereby saving

time and transport

HEAD 24B. WATERWORKS (RECURRENT).

SUB-HEAD 1. The establishment of three new pumping stations involves increased maintenance.

SUB-HEAD 2.-More meters, for which rents are received, are being supplied.

HEAD 26. ROYAL OBSERVATORY.

SUB-HEAD 12.-Upper Air Investigation. At the present stage of development of aviation, for machines flying on regular routes reports of upper air conditions are of comparable importance to observations from the ground. This is especially important in Hong Kong, where the airport is surrounded by hills. No such service has been provided prior to 1939. To meet this demand it is proposed to make a daily aeroplane flight of one hour's duration for observation of temperature, humidity, and cloud conditions round the airport up to heights of ten to fourteen thousand feet. The cost is estimated at $25,000 annually. A supplementary vote of $15,000 has already been granted in 1939 for the same purpose.

SUB-HEAD 13.—The provision of two anemographs, one at Gap Rock and one at Cheung Sha Wan, will enable more accurate information to be furnished regarding the approach of typhoons.

Personal Emoluments.

Owing to the expected departure of the present Assistant Director, in June, 1940, on leave prior to retirement it is necessary to appoint a new Professional Assistant. It is considered desirable that the two dates should overlap by six months.

HEAD 26. SANITARY DEPARTMENT.

SUB-HEAD 33.-Uniforms for Staff. Owing to increase of number of Inspectors from 82 to 96 and rise in costs of materials this sub-head is increased from $13,750 to $17.500 for the 15 months.

SUB-HEAD 42. With a view to improvement in the standard of street cleansing two more refuse lorries at a cost of $10,000 are proposed. The other two for which provision is made are replacements.

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Personal Emoluments.

The introduction of Chinese Sanitary Inspectors having proved successful it is proposed to increase the proportion of Chinese to European Inspectors, the savings involved being considerable. In addition an increase from 82 to 96 in the total numbers of inspectors is proposed with a view to greater efficiency. The net result is no change in the number of the European inspectors and an increase in the number of the Chinese by 14.

Motor Drivers.-Five additional refuse lorries and two additional meat vans having been purchased during 1939, provision for seven drivers had to be made subsequent to the passing of the 1939 Estimates. Two more refuse lorries are now proposed. Nine additional motor drivers are accordingly included in the 1940-1 Estimates.

Coolies.-200 additional sanitary coolies were sanctioned in 1939 owing to the increased population and the incidence of epidemic diseases, particularly cholera. Provision is made to continue this addition in 1940-1 if conditions require it.

HEAD 27A.

SECRETARIAT FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS.

Personal Emoluments.

Owing to the desirability of visiting at regular intervals girls registered under Ordinance No. 5 of 1938, Protection of Women and Girls, and Ordinance No. 15 of 1938, amending the Female Domestic Service Ordinance, 1923, the addition to staff of five female inspectors and one lady typist is considered necessary.

Two additional Press Censors are required owing to the increase in the numbers of Chinese newspapers.

The other proposed additions to staff, namely, one clerk and one messenger, are due in part to the increased staff of inspectors and in part to the increased popu- lation of the Colony.

HEAD 27B. LABOUR OFFICE.

Certain labour legislation, including a Workmen's Compensation Bill, a Trade Unions Ordinance, a Trade Boards Ordinance, and a general Labour Ordinance is under consideration by Government. The provision now proposed is considered moderate in relation to the work contemplated, but the staff will only be engaged as and when this legislation is passed.

HEAD) 28. STORES DEPARTMENT,

SUB-HEADS 10 AND 18.-Owing to the all-round increase in Government activities greatly increased provision for stationery and furniture is considered necessary. A considerable part of the increase of $13,000 in the outlay fer furniture will be offset by increased receipts from officers for rent of furnished quarters.

SUB-HEAD 20.-The increase under this sub-head is due to the great increase in the demand for sand, which is a government monopoly, and the cost of which is self reimbursing. The receipts on sales are expected to show an increase of $76,400 for 1940-1 period of Estimates.

Personal Emoluments.

Small increases of staff are required owing to the establishment of an air raid precautions store and of sand control stations, the latter on the sand beaches at Gin Drinkers Bay and Tai Lam Chung in the New Territories.

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