CO129-623-9 Estimates of Expenditure- includes a report for the year ending March 1952 1-2-1951 - 30-11-1951 — Page 139

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Master has been re-titled Senior Station Master and an additional post created for Yaumati Station with a compensating reduction in the establishment of Station Masters. During 1950, the former establishment of Drivers was reviewed and a through salary scale introduced. The two separate classes were abolished and an opportunity was taken with the retirement of the No.1 Driver to abolish his post. It has also been found possible to abolish two posts of Telegraphist. The only other changes are the regrading of a Tracer as a Draughtsman Class III, the creation of a new post of Storekeeper Class III, and the regrading of 17 Gatemen, thrce Coolies, and one Messenger as Porters on the same scale.

There has been a large increase of $500,010 in recurrent expenditure. Of this increase the major item is the provision of $250,000 as an initial contribution to a renewals fund which it is proposed to inaugurate for the Kowloon-Canton Railway. The other major increases are $67,680 for Miscellaneous allowances, $58,920 for casual labour, $55,000 for coal and fuel oil, $32,000 for the maintenance of permanent ways and structures, $31,000 for the maintenance of buildings, $20,000 for the maintenance of rolling stock, $20,000 for minor works, $18,600 for stores and equipment, $10,000 for lubricants, and $5,000 for fpl, light and power. The provision for casual labour covers $10,000 transferred from personal emoluments and $28,640 transferred from anti-malarial measures. The increase in the provision for stores and equipment is more than off-set by the reduction of $33,000 for tools and plant. Other reductions include $6,550 on the ront of quarters and offices, $6,000 on the upkeep of vehicles, and $2,000 on uniforms. In addition, the previous provision of $10,000 for the unallocated stores account is no longer required.

Special Expenditure items show an increase of $241,128. of this amount, $186,000 is in respect of the continuation of a number of railway schemes spread over a period of years. The new items cover comparatively minor works.

The total increase on the Head amounts to $750,171.

Head 15. Labour Department.

Estimate 1951/52.

Revised Estimate 1950/51.

Approved Estimate 1950/51. Actual Expenditure 1949/50.

$315,515

285,839

291,119

233,633

Apart from the abolition of two posts of Motor Driver, consequent on the transfer of the departmental car to the transport pool, there are no establishment changes. Personal enoluments as the result of increments, show a small increase of $7,828.

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The only significant change in recurrent expenditure is an additional 7,000 for trade union education. The net increase for Other Charges is only $5,800, which is made possible by the abolition of the former provision of 2,000 for upkeep of vehicles.

A Special Expenditure item of $10,768 is included in 1951/52 to cover the expenses of a visit of a labour adviser to the Colony.

The total increase on the Head is $24,396.