Estimates-1916 — Page 229

123

APPENDIX III.

7.

30, D.

4.

D.

5.

40, n. 13.

12, n.

12.

43, n.

10.

$50, n.

10.

10.

50, n.

60, n. 14.

66, n.

11.

69, n.

7.

D. 8.

72, n.

6.

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

I 5th Grade Telephone Clerk.This clerk was appointed in 1914 in consequence of extra work entailed by the war, and provision for his salary was made in the Estimates for 1915 for six months. The transfer of the Telephone and Telegraph Staff to the Post Office as explained in note 5 on page 102 of the Estimates for 1915 has left no one to operate the telephones which remain in the Harbour Office building; and it is therefore necessary to retain this officer's services. ́:

1 5th Grade Interpreter at Outstation. This officer who is in the 6th Grade receives from the Police Department $60 a year for acting as interpreter, and $48 a year for telephone work. It has been decided to abolish the allowances, and to place the post in the 5th Grade as from the 1st January, 1916, the present holder to commence with the first increment.

4 Temporary Clerks. These temporary posts are required because of, and for the period of, the Certificates of Origin and Certificates of Ultimate Destination Ordinance.

Upkeep of Typewriters. --A contract is being arranged with a local firm for the monthly inspection and repair of all Government typewriters at the rate of $8 a machine a year. The average life of machines should be considerably prolonged by such inspection.

1 Clerk and Usher. The public examinations of debtors are taken down in short- hand and transcribed by this officer, the transcription being done out of office hours. He is paid from funds at credit of bankrupt estates at the rate of 15 cents per folio.

men.

Travelling Expenses of Watchmen, and temporary engagement of Extra Watch- The increase of $4,000 to this sub-head is due to the issue of an abnormal number of executions since the outbreak of the war, with a resulting large expenditure on extra watchmen. Sums spent for this service are counter-balanced by Possession Fees which are paid into Revenue.

1 5th Grade Clerk.-Owing to work entailed by the Piracy Prevention Ordinance 1914, and to a general increase of work in the Accounts Office, it has been found necessary to engage, on the temporary establishment, an additional 5th Grade Clerk.

።

1 Temporary Clerk to Special Police Reserve.—This clerk is required in connection with clerical work for the Special Police Reserve.

Overtime Allowances to Apothecary's Assistants.-The Apothecary's Assistants are required to work overtime on week days, on Sundays and holidays, and it has accordingly been decided to pay them overtime allowances.

Dental Instruments and Furniture.-Certain dental surgeons having offered their services in the matter of free dental treatment at the Government Civil Hospital a sum of £150 has been provided for the requisite equipment.

1

The scavenging and conservancy of Shaukiwan and the surrounding villages have hitherto been let together on contract for a net sum of $984 a year. In order to make the scavenging more efficient it has been decided to carry it out departmentally, at a cost of $3,314, as follows :-

2 Assistant Scavenging Foremen, at $144,

22 Scavenging Coolies, at $108,

Rent of Quarters for Scavenging Coolies, Scavenging Gear,

288

2,376

250

400

3,314

77, n.

2.

79, 11.

10.

n.

79, n.

14.

11.

It is estimated that a sum of $4,000 will be received for the conservancy contract.

1 Shorthand Teacher. The increasing demand for shorthand has rendered advisa- ble the appointment of a Shorthand Teacher for Class I, Commercial, at Queen's College. Fees received for tuition should cover his salary.

Needlework Teachers.-There are three needlework teachers on the Estimates for 1915- -one at $300, and two at $240 each. The first post being vacant, it has been decided to abolish it, and to increase the salary of the other two from $240 to $300 each.

1 5th Grade Vernacular Master.-The vernacular masters at the Belilios Public School have to teach all school subjects, whereas in the other schools they teach the Chinese language only. The present holder, who has eight years service, is expected to obtain in July, 1916, the third Vernacular Teachers' Certificate, which qualifies him for promotion.