155
The additional post of Executive Officer was approved during the year to cope with increased work in the Headquarters of this Department. 3 new posts of Agricultural Supervisor are created to deal with activities in the Agricultural Credit Section and for Field Extension work in the Shatin and Tsuen Wan areas. 1 new post of Agricultural Supervisor Class III is required for field extension work in the northern portion of Saikung Peninsula and 1 post of Fisheries Supervisor is needed for a new fish-pond established during 1956/57 at Au T'au in Yuen Long district. The additional Motor Driver is for a new van for the use of the Soil Survey team. Provision for a supernumerary Veterinary Officer post is made for six months only, pending the appointment of a new Senior Veterinary Officer on the retirement of the present incumbent.
These changes and the transfer of the provision for 139 daily-rated Farm and Forest Labourers from an Other Charges subhead account for the increase of $431,910 in the vote for personal emoluments.
Provision for Rent of Stations and Offices has been reduced by $12,500 in anticipa- tion of resumption of part of the land now leased from private owners for the Castle Peak Agricultural Station. The vote for road-side tree planting, remains at $30,000 despite the fact that the Urban Services Department has taken over the responsibility for amenity planting in the Kowloon urban area, since additional planting will be carried out on Lantao Island along a new motor-road now under construction. Additional provision of $5,000 for Christmas trees is necessary in view of the ever-increasing demand for trees by the general public; this expenditure will be offset by revenue. Funds in the Fisheries Exhibition vote have been increased by $4,000 as the department will be taking a greater part in future exhibitions and will share expenses with the Fish Marketing Organization for the annual exhibition, at which there will be a depart- mental stall. Other minor increases arise from the expansion of activities of the department in accordance with new Agriculture and Forestry Policy Reports. With the transfer of provision for daily-rated staff now paid under Personal Emoluments there is a decrease of $151,500 in the Other Charges Annually Recurrent vote.
Under Special Expenditure, $40,000 for staff quarters at out-stations, $10,000 for an Agricultural Centre at Shataukok and $25,000 for Laboratory and Farm Equipment (of which $15,000 is a revote), are required to implement some of the proposals in the Agricultural Policy Report. The sum of $50,000 (including a revote of $35,000) will allow of electricity supplies to forestry and agricultural outstations in the New Territories. A further year is to be spent inves- tigating the possibility of edible oyster culture in the Tolo Harbour area and provision of $8,500 has been made for this project. The new Forestry Nurseries and Headquarters at Tai Lung will be completed within the year. It is the intention to resume all land now leased from private owners for the Castle Peak Agricultural Station and provision of $220,000 has accordingly been made to meet surrender costs. It is also proposed to start a training course at the Castle Peak Agricultural Station for 50 young farmerboys for a period of 6 weeks: provision of $5,000 has been made for such purpose. A soil survey of the Colony, to be undertaken by a scientist seconded from the pool of Soil Surveyors in England, was started in 1956/57 and will take 2 years to complete; provision of $29,500 has been made for this project.
HEAD 3- · AUDIT DEPARTMENT
Estimate 1957/58
$778,680
Revised estimate 1956/57
611,000
Approved estimate 1956/57
635,310
Actual expenditure 1955/56
567,644
1956/57
1957/58
Difference
Permanent staff
Supernumerary staff
Net increase
59
70
+11
1
1
11
New posts
1 Principal Auditor
1 Senior Auditor
3 Examiners
6 Clerks
11