CO129-597-3 Estimates 1950 22-2-1949 - 3-11-1950 — Page 212

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Head 32. Rating and Valuation Department.

Estimate 1949-50.

Revised Estimate 1948-49.

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

$196,901

170,000 184,292

There are no changes in the establishment but personal emoluments show a small increase of $4,089 as a rosult of salary increments. Minor changos in Other Charges account for an increase of $1,270. Under Special Expenditure the provision of $7,250 is made for replacing motor transport. The nott rosult is an increase on tho Head of $12,609. No figure can be given in respect of actual expenditure during 1947-48 as at that time the Department was administered as part of the Treasury.

Head 33. Registrar General's Department.

Estimate 1949-50.

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

$166,750

200

This now department has been created as a result of the reorganisation of the Legal Department. It will take over the registration of Companies, Trade Marks, Patents and Marriages, formerly um or the control of the Registrar of the Supreme Court, and thus free the latter officer for administrative work connected with the Courts and for duties normally discharged by the Mastor of the Supreme Court in England. The post of Registrar General absorbs the former post of Land Officer and ho will continue to be responsible for the work of the Land Office.

Hoad 34. Royal Observatory.

Rosimate 1949-50.

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

$404,588

300,000

353,172

199,414

This department has found itself considerably

under staffed as a result of commitments arising out of the increasing importance of Hong Kong as a centre of air traffic and the ever higher safety standards demanded by international conventions. It can be expected that further demands will be made, but for the present the establishment has been im reased by two Assistant Scientific Officors, four Technical Officers, five Computors and one Mctor Driver. The new grades of Assistant Scientific Officer and Technical Officer will help to relieve the pressure of routine work on Senior Officers. The effect of introducing these new posts is to increase the ost of personal emoluments by $54,466.

A small increase of $5,150 for recurrent expenditure' is offset by a roduction of $8,200 for Special Expenditure and the nett increase on the head amounts to $51,416.

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