CO129-597-3 Estimates 1950 22-2-1949 - 3-11-1950 — Page 215

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In the course of the year, a roorganisation of staff in the Stores Department was approved and, in consequence, two now grades of Senior Stores Officer and Assistant Stores Officer were created. The posts at prosent shown in the estimates represent no increase over the overall establishment of officers previously shown under various titles in the pensionable and non- pensionable establishment and temporary staff in 1948-49.

No other increases are made, certain staff being transferred from the temporary staff to the non-pensionablo establish- ment. Motor drivers are now provided for under casual labour and one post of Packer has been abolished. Personal emoluments show an increase of $10,182.

In 1948-49 it was necessary, in view of the phenomenal amount of building, to make very heavy supplementary provision for the collection and storage of sand and the estimate in 1949 provides for an increase of $500,000. This increase is, of course, offset by a corresponding increase in revenue. An additional $155,000 is required for furniture for Government quarters and an extra $25,000 for office equipment and furniture for all departments. There are minor changes under Other Charges, the most important of which aro reductions of 11,000 for upkeep of motor vehicles and 10,000 for the transport of stores. As a result of the fall of $1,000,000 in the provision for unallocated stores, the sum required for recurrent expenditure is reduced by $373,800.

A new furniture workshop is at present under construction and $10,500 is provided for under special expenditure to equip it. In addition $24,000 is required for a stack-packer, a mechanical device for the internal transport and stacking of stores which it is hoped will result in a reduction of unskilled labour and consequent savings in 1950-51. Expenditure on the head has fallen by $331,118.

Head 39. Subventions.

Estimate

1949-50.

Revised Estimate 1943-49. Approved Estimate 1948-49.

Actual Expenditure 1947-48.

$13,250,877

750,000

750,730

199,396

All Subventions paid by the Government to organisations within and outside the Colony are now shown under one Head. The process of grouping these payments together under one Head was started last year and this year subsidies to Grant-aided and Vernacular Schools and to Hospitals have been included, These were previously shown under the Education and Medical Heads, and comparison with the previous years' estimates is therefore unrealistic. It will be observed however that in cases where comparison is possible certain apparent large increases have been made. These are accounted for by the decision to stop the free issue of rations, previously provided for out of the Relief of Destitutes vote, and to compensate organisations by an equivalent monetary grant. There has boen an increase of nearly $500,000 for miscellaneous grants to Grant-in-Aid Schools compared with the provis on made in 1948-49 under the Education Department. This increase is chiefly required for the payment of increased cost of living allowances as under the terms of the Grant Code the salaries of teachers in these schools are linked to those paid in Government schools.