516
Postman at $8 a month is also engaged as Sorter in the sub-office on the side of the Harbour opposite to the Agency. His services are absolutely necessary. These additions were approved in February and are being paid for out of savings for the current year.
OTHER CHARGES. Carriage of Mails.
Transit Charges.-The increase under this head is principally due to the Pacific Mail Steamship Company and the Steamship Companies represented by it demanding an increase in the amount hitherto paid to them for the conveyance of mails to the United States, and to the extension of the Parcel Post to that country.
The total is made up as follows :—
United Kingdom,..
Other Countries,
Conveyance of United States Mails to Manila
and Manila Mails to United States,*
Parcel Post,
£5,593 2.230
945
25
£8,793 @ 1/8 $105,516
$7,505
747
8,252
8,775
2,457
$125,000
Canton Mails-
Hongkong, Canton and Macao Steam-
Boat Company,.
China Navigation Company.
Pacific Mail Steam-ship Company for convey- ance of Hongkong Mails, etc., to San Francisco, etc., 45 trips at $195 a trip, ... For increase in correspondence to United King-
dom, etc.,..............
SPECIAL EXPENDITURE.
Purchase of Steam-launch.-The Government Marine Surveyor reported the Post Office Launch "Courier" to be unseaworthy. She was fifteen years old and only able to make 6 knots. Her original cost was $5,250. She was sold by ten- der for $2,000 and a launch has been hired for the present at $120 a month.
OBSERVATORY.
PERSONAL EMOLUMENTS.
Coolie Wages.-Owing to the impossibility of retaining the services of coolies at the former rates they have been raised one from $9 and two from $8 a month to $10 and $9 respectively.
BOTANICAL AND AFFORESTATION DEPARTMENT.
PERSONAL EMOLUMENTS.
Gardens. Forestry.-The items under these heads have been re-arranged and better classified.
OTHER CHARGES,
Draining King's Park.-No further expenditure under this head required at
present.
Forestry, New Territory. This item has been increased by $5,000, the sum of $8,000 being held to be a suitable annual expenditure for the present for beginning a more comprehensive scheme of afforestation in the New Territory which is rendered possible by the impending completion of the operations of the Land Court in investigating and settling titles. The arrangements contemplated are expected to yield a fair revenue in due course.
* Refunds on account of these Mails are paid in as Revenue.
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