CO129-597-2 Estimates 1949 1-3-1948 - 14-7-1949 — Page 238

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$365,000 for supplementary diots for T.B. outpationts. further sum of $56,800 has been provided undor Special Expenditure for equipment for the new clinic.

A

The grant to tho Alico Momorial Hospital, part of which was mot from Spacial Expenditure last year, romains unchanged, but it has been necessary to increase the grant to the Tung Wah Hospital who are revising the salaries of some of their staff following the adoption of revised scales throughout the Governmont Service.

It has been necessary, under Special Expendituro, to provide for the replacement of certain ambulances and other motor transport which has become unserviceable.

Head 20.

Miscellaneous Sorviccs

Estimato 1948/49

Rovised Estimate 1947/48 Approved Estimato 1947/48

Actual Expenditure 1946/47

$29,766,560

46,054,899

30,347,828

25,343,888

The large difference botween the approved estimate for 1947/48 and the revised estimate is chic fly the result of the salaries revision and is due to the fact that arroars of salary duo from the 1st January, 1947, have boon charged to a special Sub Head under "Miscellaneous Services". Heavy debits in respect of passage payments for officers roturning to duty after internment were also not received until after the close of the financial year 1946/47, thus causing the provision in the 1947/48 Estimates to be heavily over-expended.

Tho grant to the Hong Kong University has been increased from $455,000 to $1,500,000. Tho University had difficulty cvon before the war in paying its way, and a considerable increase in the grant is necessary in order to onable it to meet the groatly increased recurrent expenditure of to-day.

The Sub Hoad "New Year Bonus to Chinese Employees" has been increased as a result of the new salary scales.

As rogards Sub Head 32, following reprosentations from the committee of the Hong Kong War Memorial Fund, this Government has agreed to moot part of the cost of office accommodation and of the small staff which is necessary to undertake payments from the Fund to the dependants of those who fell in the defence of the Colony.

A now Sub Head "Film Consorship" for $39,000 has been included, but this is offset by revenue receipts.

In regard to Sub Head 40, it is considered that a token voto of $500,000 will suffice to meet the initial expenses connected with the establishment of the now municipality.