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Sub-Department.-Stamp Office.

OTHER CHARGES.

The increase of $1,000 under "Cost of Adhesive Stamps" is due to the cost of the introduction of the new system of stamping, (vide Governor's Despatch No. 236 of 30th April, 1903.) The same cause renders the vote for Incidental Expenses insufficient, and it has been increased by $100. The new machines require fresh rollers at least once a week, which will entail a cost of about $60 per annum, small provision for cleaning is also necessary.

POST OFFICE.

PERSONAL EMOLUMENTS.

Superintendent, Registration and Parcels Branch (formerly Supervisor.)

General Office.

A

1st Clerk, Registration and Parcels Branch (formerly Superintendent). 2nd Clerk, Registration and Parcels Branch (formerly Deputy Superintendent). Superintendent of Mails, (formerly Supervisor).

[Note-Fifteen Clerks at $720 to 8,1080 were by printer's error wrongly

quoted in 1903 Estimates as at $780 to $1,080. Three Clerks are em- ployed as Assistant Marine Officers. They are drawn sometimes from those on one Class of pay and sometimes from those on another, accord- ing as suitable men for the work are found,]

OTHER CHARGES Agencies in China.

Canton,--3 Postmen.-- An additional postman has been provided. The Chinese Imperial Postal Authorities have recently issued instructions that all 4-cent letters are to be treated as insufficiently prepaid. This necessitates the British Post Office delivering all such correspondence through its own Agencies instead of through the Chinese offices as formerly. An extra postman at Canton has, therefore, become necessary. The same necessity will probably be felt before long in the other Agencies.

Hanke.-2 Postmen, one at $120 and one at $96.-The senior postinan is granted an increase of $24 per anuum from the 1st January, 1904. He has been employed for 16 years and has been strongly recommended for the increase.

Cost of Stamps.-Increase of $5,000. The stamps are now bi-coloured, and in the case of the lower values--of which very large quantities are used—the cost is found to be twice as great as that of the last issue. For correspondence regarding the new stamps de letter from Crown Agents No. 96 of 3rd July, 1901, and Colonial Secretary's letter of 12th August, 1901, No. 1982.

Shanghai-Advertising Poste Restante Correspondence. This provision is made to allow a daily list of unclaimed letters to be published in the shanghai Times.

Fee of Medical Attendant.-Hitherto the Medical Attendant's fee has been only $100 per annum, which was paid out of Incidental Expenses. The fee was fixed in 1899, when the staff had been increased to 3 clerks. It has since been conside- rably further increased, and the Medical Attendant declines to attend the whole staff for less than $250 per annum.

This sum,

which appears reasonable, has now been provided, representing an increase of $150 per annum.

REGISTRAR GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT.

Interpretation Department.

Translator's allowance for instruction of Student Interpreters.-The Transla- tor is required to correct the composition of the Student Interpreters out of office hours. A monthly salary of $15 has therefore been allowed him for the purpose. This was approved in 1901, but owing to an oversight did not appear in the Estimates for 1902 or 1903. During 1903 it has been paid out of lapsing salaries.