Sessional_Paper_1905 — Page 778

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6 Nurses and 2 Amahs. The pay of the senior amah who has nearly 13 years' service has been increased from $144 to $180 per annum. Her pay is at present the same as that of a newly joined amah,

C-Institutes.

Assistant Bacteriologist.-On the recommendation of the Government Bacterio- logist a European Assistant on £360 to £420 by £30 triennially will take the place of the three Chinese Assistants who cannot be got to take a real interest in their work. It is hoped that greater efficiency in research work will be thus secured, and that the risk of contamination in the preparation of sera will be minimized.

Clerk, Grade V.-Hitherto the work of keeping books and checking stores has been done by the Bacteriologist with the assistance of the Accountant of the Civil Hospital. It is considered necessary to appoint a special clerk for this work.

General. The various items have been re-cast and re-arranged. but the total estimated expenditure for this sub-department shows a decrease of $3 as com- pared with that for 1905.

OTHER CHARGES.

B.-Hospitals and Asylums.

Medicine and Surgical Appliances, Civil Hospital. —$5,000 is added to this vote for 1906 in order to provide a sufficient reserve stock.

SANITARY DEPARTMENT.

PERSONAL EMOLUMENTS.

Clerk, $ 180, has been placed in Class VII, as his duties are similar to those of the other two clerks in that Class.

Messengers. It is no longer possible to engage messengers at $84. Their wages have consequently been re-cast as follows:-

1 Messenger at $96 raised to $108 per annum.

8 Messengers at $84

1 Messenger at $72 raised to $96 per annum.

Clerk and Draughtsman, Surveyor's Office, $480, has been placed in Class VII, with first increment.

8 Interpreters to Sanitary Inspectors, I. D. 3rd Class.- Vide remarks on Inter- pretation Sub-Department under Registrar General's Department.

Telephone Clerks.-There are seven telephone clerks at $420 per annum each. As satisfactory men cannot be got at this salary it is proposed to promote five to Class VII, and to keep one on his present salary on the temporary staff.

Sextons' wages of 3 at Mt. Davis, 1 at Mt. Caroline, 1 at Ma Tau Wai, and 2 at Happy Valley raised from $84 to $96 owing to general rise in wages among the coolie class. See Messengers above

Foreman Scavenger, Scavengers and Night Watchmen, Old Markets.—This staff has been reorganized at a saving of $864.

New Western Market.

Ner Mong Kok Tsui Market,

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Staff has been provided for these markets at a total cost of $2,688. It is anticipated that the market rents will exceed this sum.