CO129-597-3 Estimates 1950 22-2-1949 - 3-11-1950 — Page 193

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charged to expenditure instead f boing mot from the Japan Trading Account. But for this, there would have been a decrease in the costof this Department which it will bc necessary to keep in boing until trade with Japan is completely free.

The work of many of the permanent Government departments is still greatly in excess of that for which their pre-war establishments were designed. Where it is obvious that this increase in work is permnent, some staff which has hitherto been paid from the temporary staff vote is now being detailed in the estimates, but great care has been taken not to add to the pensionable staff until the final requirements of departments can be accurately gauged, and a revised Pensions Ordinance and list of pensionable offices has been prepared.

Block votes for temporary staff are still being provided, although on a reduced scalo, and to ensure full financial control every employee paid from those votes is listed in a footnote under each departmental head.

In the early days after the liberation of the Colony, before private cars were easily procurable, it was necessary to build up a considerable fleet of Government transport. Although there has recently been some slight reduction in the numbers of drivers, their pay and allowances in 1949-50 are estimated to cost $1,117,834, and the upkeep of vehicles is estimated to cost $2,155,660. It is normally more economical for Government officials to use their own cars on official journeys, and to draw mileage allowance, and now that most officers have cars of their own,

it may be possible to effect a reduction in Government vehicles and in the number of drivers. It is proposed to appoint a committee, on which there will be unofficial representation, to examine this whole question. It is also proposed to defor the placing of orders for replacement vehicles to a value of $1,149,846, for which provision is made in the estimatos, until the committee is fully satisfied that no alternative arrangement is possible. An exception, however, will be made in the caso of Police transport. Provision is made for a number of new vehicles for the Police as it is most important that, should an emergency arise, their vehicles should be absolutely reliable.

Head 1. His Excellency the Governor.

Estimate 1949-50.

Revised Estimate 1948-49.

Approved Estimate 1948-49. Actual Expenditure 1947-48.

$231,297

200,000

218,979

240,574.

The post of Custodian, the occupant of which has been seconded to duty as a supernumerary Bailiff in the Supreme Court, has been abolished. One post of No.1 Boy has also been abolished and replaced by a House Coolie. The opportunity has been taken to show in detail the posts occupied by the household staff of Government House. The result of all these changes is a small increase in personal emoluments of $4,918.

Recurrent expenditure during 1948-49 was found to be under estimated in some cases and increases in Incidontal Expenses, Publications, and Upkeep of Vehicles