CO129-623-8 Estimates of Expenditure- includes a report for the year ending March 1951 1-12-1949 - 31-3-1951 — Page 158

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$2,200,000 cxtra is included for the Maintenance of Roads and Bridges, a large proportion of which work has become necessary owing to the heavy military traffic. large sum of $300,000 is required to introduce an operational

Another account for Quarrios and a further $200,000 is included for the removal of the overburden. This will be useful for filling purposes for reclamation schemos.

As a result of the construction of a number of new buildings in the last two years, an increase of $275,000 is required for their maintenance. $26,000 is also required for various items under Waterworks.

An additional This figure is offset by a reduction of $34,000 in the contribution to the Renewals and Improvement Fund. extra $50,000 is needed for Alterations and Additions to

An Government Buildings, and a similar amount for the Maintenance of Sewers and Stormwater Drains. also results in an additional $50,000 for Maintenance.

Increased plant

The maintenance of Kai Tak Airport will cost $63,000 more next year and the maintenance of Vehicle Ferry Piers an extra $55,000. A sum of $20,000 is provided for under Reclamation Schemes, Survey Parties, for the initial cost of surveying an area to be reclaimed in the Central District in connection with the construction of the now Star Ferry piers.

Minor changes are made under other sub-heads including an additional $35,500 for Re-instatements on Re-entered Property.

Head 31. Public Works Non-Recurrent.

Estimate 1950/51

Revised Estimate 1949/50

Approved Estimate 1949/50 Actual Expenditure 1948/49

$27,510,300

17,042,476

19,618,000

2,604,141

The sum of $80,000 under sub-head 1 is intended to meet the cost of a building to be erected on Waglan Island to house a radio beacon. It is hoped that it may be possible to obtain a grant from the Colonial Development and Welfare Fund to cover the cost of this and other air navigational equipment, but in the meantime a radio beacon for Waglan Island has been loaned by Pan American Airways. In regard to sub-head 2, it has become necessary to replace the Revenue Station at Sheung Shui as the existing building has become unsafe owing to damage by white ants.

Sub-head 3 provides for the completion of two roads in the New Territories now being constructed at the request of the Military Authorities.

With regard to the items grouped under the sub- head Education Department, Sir Robert Ho Tung has kindly promised to contribute towards the cost of a girls'

school which will bear his name, and provision for the balance has tentatively been included. It has been finally

decided to site the new Queens College on the former

college playing field at Causeway Bay. The plans are well ahead, and it is confidently expected that the new college will be finished by September.

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