parties for reclamation schemes for which $45,000 is provided. Considerable economies have been made in respect of motor trasports, the costs for which
now shown under the Elec- trital and Mechanical branch. of the Public Works Department.
Head 31. Public Works Extraordinary
Estimate 1949-50.
$19,618,000
Revised Estimate
1948-49.
Approved
Estimate
3,000,000
10,638,500
1948-49.
Actual Expenditure
1947-48.
886,055
Sub-head 1 is purely a secur- ity measure. Circumstances might arise where it might be nécessary to utilise certain New Territories paths and tracks for light vehicles, and sum of $1,- 0,00,000 is being provided to .-widen them and make them
generally passable.
as
Under sub-head 4, a sum of $700,000 has been included for the construction of what has loosely come to be known Workers' Schools. A number of these schools have been est- ablished in various parts of the Colony. Their development has been affected by financial and other considerations. As a re- sult they are rather scattered and the buildings are far from suitable. It is felt that the time has now come for Government
to take over these schools if
they are to develop along accep- table lines under fully qualified teachers. One large industrial concern in the Colony is inter- ested in the scheme and it is hoped that they wll be prepared to make some contribution to- wards the cost,
As n
is in a
ds sub-head 5, the
present tire station in Kowloon Isitioned building. until recently, to prospects of securing
There
be good
a long lea but this ha
We had the
this building, fallen through. o option but to build a ne Me station our- selves, and in
ways this is the best solution
leased build- ing would be suitable without very extensive alterations. The building of the station is estimated to cost $2,000,000, but the drawings will take time to complete, so only $500,000 has been provided for the present year.
Sub-head 7 relates to the pro- jected new headquarters for the Defence Force, which was previously estimated to cost $5,- 000,000. The exact requirements have not yet been decided upon, and until they are the drawings carinot be put in hand. For these reasons it is improbable that more than $500,000 will be required to cover the work up to the end of the financial year 1949-50.
Head 32. Rating And Valuation Department.
Estimate 1949-50 Revised Estimate 1948-49 Approved Estimate 1948-
49
Actual
1947-48
Expenditure
Estimate 1949-50
Revised Estimate 1948-49 Approved Estimate 1948-
Actual 47-48
Expenditure
$166,750
Head 34. Royal
Observatory
A small in- betonal emolu- nts is offset by a reduction of reduction of 350 in Other Charges with the It that expenditure has fallen $4,203.
B.--Social Welfare
Estimate 1949-50
Office
$404,588 300,000
$ 799,563
Revised Estimate 1948-
900,000
Approved Estimate
353,172
048-49 Atual
1,332,520
Expenditure
1947-48
Estimate 1949-50 Revised Estimate 1948-49 oved Estimate 1948-
Actual Expenditure
1947-48
199,414 This department has found itself considerably under staffed as a result of commitments arising out of the increasing importance of
1,244,744
Apart from the regrading of eight posts there are no changes in the establishment. Certain titles have been altered and a few
sonal emoluments show an ill- crease of $21,723.
Hong Kong as a centre of air traffic salaries revised. As a result per- and the ever higher safety stan- dards demanded by international conventions. It can be expected that further demands will be made, but for the present the establishment has been increased by two Assistant Scientific Offi- cers, four Technical Officers, five Computors and one Motor Driver. The new grades of Assistant Scientific Officer and Technical Officer will help to relieve the pressure of routine work Senior Officers. The effect of in- troducing these new posts is to increase the cost of personal emo- luments by $54,466.
on
A small increase of $5,150 for recurrent expenditure is offset by a reduction of $8,200 for Special Expenditure and the nett increase on the head amounts to $51,416.
Head 35. Sanitary Department
Estimate 1949-50 Revised Estimate 1948-
49. Approved Estimate
1948-49 Actual
Expenditure
$5,724,186
4,000,000
5,453,300
1,761,802
1947-48 Apart from the transfer from the Medical Department of Over- seers, Disinfecting Station En- gineers, Cleansing Chargemen, and Cleansing Coolies, a considerable
The apparent considerable re- duction of nearly $500,000 under Other Charges is explained by the transfer of certain expenditure to Subventions. In order to show more clearly the cost to public funds of assistance given to local organisations the practice of pro- viding free rations from the former Relief of Destitutes vote has been discontinued. The rations will no longer be provided free of charge but in compensation an increase in the financial assistance given to these organisations is provided for under Subventions. Consequently the current provisions of $925,000 for relief of destitutes has been reduced to $493,500. At the same time, the opportunity has been taken to rename this sub-head more appropriately as Welfare Work. A considerable economy amounting to $52,000 has been made under the provision for fuel, light and power.
Although $5,900 is provided under Special Expenditure for motor transport, the expenditure under this Head is reduced by $532,957.
C.-District Watch
Force
reduction in staff amounting Estimate 1949-50 to 208 posts has been effect-Revised Estimate 1948-49 ed. This is the result of Approved Estimate 1948- re-organisation of the supervi- ! 49
$186,069 300,000
204,199
Expenditure
52.709
Actual 1947-48
sion of sanitary squads and the introduction of mechanical devices. This reduction in menial staff is The force has been further re-· offset to some extent by an induced during 1948-49 by three Dis- crease of 20 posts of Motor Driver trict Watchmen and three Cooks. which will be required for further Further additional provision is re- vehicles to be purchased duringquired for detective and good con- the coming year. The opportunity duct allowance as compared with has been taken to show all classes last year when, in the absence of of menial labour under the generic precise information, nominal title of Sanitary Coolies. The re-figures were included. A consi- duction in personal emoluments derable reduction amounting to amounts to $49,564.
Other Charges show an increase of $233,500 partly because a new provision of $120,000 is requied for re-settlement of squatters, and $10,000 for a trial scheme of rural sanitation. The greater use of mechanical sanitation equipment is reflected in the provision of an extra $50,000 for upkeep of vehicles.
$196,901 Under Special Expenditure a 170,000 further stage in the programme of re-equipping this department with 184.282 motor and sea transport is provided for. The expenditure compared with 1948-49 is nearly the $100,000 more but this is entirely accounted for by an additional $100,000 for nightsoil
barge Expenditure on the Head show a nett increase of $270,886.
There are no changes in establishment but personal emg ments show a small increase $4.089 as a result of salary ing ments. Minor changes in Oder Charges account for an increas $1,270. Under Special Expet ture the provision of $7,25079* ade for replacing motor tra
The nett result is an case on the Head of $12,609. figure can be given in respect actual expenditure during 1947. as at that time the Department administered as part of the Tr
sury.
Head 33. Registrar General's Dane
over $16,000 is made for uniforms. and together with other small economies the expenditure on the Head has fallen by $18,130.
Head 37. Statistical
Department
Estimate 1949-50 Revised Estimate 1948-49 Approved Estimate 1948-
49
1947-48
$128,428 120,000
121,929
The only changes in the estab lishment are the appointment of two temporary officers to the non- abolition of a post of Messenger. pensionable establishment and,
In the course of the
year agreement with the British Tatu- lating Machine Company wadl Head 36. Secretariat Foccurred in respect of the Hollerith
reached regarding the charges "in
Chinese Affairs
Estimate 1949-50 Revised Estimate 1948-49 Approved Estimate 1948-
49 Actual
1947-48
Expenditure
equipment and an additional sum. $177.ITT of $21,816 is required for this st
180 head.
+
181,
The nett increase on the He amounts to $6,499. (The Depart ment was not a separate entity 1787661947-48 so no figure of actual
expenditure can be given).
A.- -Secretariat For
Chinese Affairs
The establishment has been duced by the transfer of a Cadet
Head 38. Stores Department
2
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