CO129-597-2 Estimates 1949 1-3-1948 - 14-7-1949 — Page 246

246

Head 32 C.

22

Secretariat for Chinese Affairs

Office.

Estimate 1948/49

Revised Estimate 1947/48 Approved Estimate 1947/48 Actual Expenditure 1946/47

V

Social Welfare

$1,298,258

1

During the financial year just closing, existing Social Welfare activities were concentrated under this new sub department which is under the control of a Cadet officer who has received special training in Social Welfare duties. Staff engaged on Social Welfare and relief duties, who were formerly attached to other departments, have all been transferred to the new sub department.

Head 33.

Statistical Office

Estimate 1948/49

Revised Estimate 1947/48 Approved Estimate 1947/48

Actual Expenditure 1946/47

$121,929

No comparative figures can be given as the Statistical branch has previously functioned as part of the Colonial Secretariat. Their Other Charges have not, therefore, boon shown separately. The approved estimate for Personal Emoluments only for the Statistical branch in 1947/48 was $48,906 compared with $66,205 for the present year.

A token provision of $30,000 has been provided under Special Expenditure to cover expenses in connection with a proposed Census but the possibility of a grant from Colonial Development and Welfare funds for this purpose is also under consideration.

Head 34. Stores Department

Estimate 1948/49

Revised Estimate 1947/48 Approved Estimate 1947/48 Actual Expenditure 1946/47

$6,918,350

13,747,123

7,908,241 10,081,353

One Stores Officer and one Assistant Stores Officer have been included under non-ponsionable staff. These officers were previously paid from the Temporary Staff Vote but the posts are considered necessary at least for some time to come. Some watchmen, motor drivers, packers and coolios, previously paid under the Temporary Staff Vote, have also been included this year in the non-pensionablc ostablishment.

The staff will be reduced by five European officers during the year as certain temporary officers completo their contracts. There is also a 'reduction of 3 messengers consequent on the introduction of the new motor delivery service.

Note

the

This includes debits for millions of dollars worth of stores which have not yet been charged out to departments. When this is done, effect will be to increase the final expenditure of departments like the Railway to the neighbour- hood of the approved estimate and to reduce the final expenditure of the Stores Department to the same level. The total expenditure for the year will not be affected.