CO129-597-3 Estimates 1950 22-2-1949 - 3-11-1950 — Page 220

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HEAD 18.

K

LEGAL DEPARTMENT.

218

The Committee recommends an increase of $2,000 in the provision for legal expenses with a consequent increase in expenditure under the Head from $370,874 to $372,874. HEAD 20 - MARINE DEPARTMENT.

The Committee recommends an establishment of sixteen posts of Surveyors of Ships of which four posts are to be regarded as supernumerary. The question of restoring the number of permanent posts to the former figure of thirteen will be re-examined in the course of the year by Finance Committee on the production of certain statistics by the Director of Marine.

The Committec agrees to the inclusion of a new sub-head of expenditure to provide $132,000 for the payment of rent. for a wharf requisitioned from the Custodian of Property. This will be offset by a corresponding addition to

revenue.

These proposals result in an increase of expenditure from $4,802,137 to 4,934,137.

HEAD 21. - MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.

The Committee recommends the inclusion of additional staff for the two new tuberculosis clinics which it is proposed to build during 1949. It considers that certain posts should be provided for twelve months in order that of ficers may be trained for their new specialised duties, while appointments to the remaining posts will only be made from the date on which the new clinics are taken into use.

It supports a proposal to create a new grade of Female Dental Assistant and to provide three new posts, by making a corresponding reduction in the establishment of Nurses.

Certain other minor changes in staff are recommended.

It was noted that the following provisions for honoraria to non-Government officers should, in accordance with Colonial Regulations, be included under Other Charges instead of under Personal Emoluments:-

Honoraria to Government consultants: Honorarium to Births and Deaths Registry, Clear Water Bay.

Honoraria to part-time stenographer for Medical and Dental Boards.

$33,000

600

1,200

The Committee agrees to a re-vote of $48,800 for equipment for Tuberculosis clinics under Special Expendituro. It was originally anticipated that this expenditure would be incurred in 1948-49 but more recent information indicates that the charge will now have to be met in 1949-50.

The Committee recommends a reduction of $30,000 under Other Charges for medicines and instruments, and the deletion of the provision for supervision of bathing beaches in the New Territories.

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