SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 1932.
Retrenchment Commission's
Recommendations
(Continued from Paye 7.)
names appear on the Hong Kong) construction handed hst of Authorised Architects have Architectural Office there
unce.
The
the executive
responsible for
Electrical
the
THE
CHINA
Government's Comment.
are
13.
Re-
be carried out by specially engaged same time publication in the Gov- 36.-The Commissioners under departmental head will only need to temporary staff, or the whole work, ernment Gazette from time to time stand that the formation of a cen- consult the Director if some matter If of sufficient magnitude, entrusted of the zone areas would prevent ap- tral store, with a branch at Kow of polley is involved. Minuting, in to a firm of British contractors of plications for sites in areas not loon, for all Government depart cases where the sub-departmental world wide repute.
available. The 'zoning' should be in ments, except the Medical, has beep head is the origin of complete in- Government's Comment. the hands of a standing Zoning proposed. They do not conalder formation, should be done by the Paragraph 27--The method of Committee under the Chairmanship that such a scheme is likely to re Executive Engineer concerned, on carrying out large 'extraordinary" of the Director of Public Works, sult in any saving; on the other the original C.S.O. file, which should works has been dealt with under and with expert unofficial repre- hand & general stora to be of any then pass through the Director or
sentatives serving on it.
use would have to be centrally Deputy Director of Public Works, over to the economical is to concentrate the paragraph 13 above.
28-Apart from the Vehicular Government's Comment. located, which would be uneconomic, who would merely initial the minute is loft repair of all Hong Kong vehicles)
Paragraph 82.-There was a
Government's Comment, if he agreed with it, otherwise he no qualifikations and are architects drainage, road construction and at the Wanchai workshop, and all Ferry Piers the epartment has in
Paragraph 36.-Whilst Govern would write a following minute con- aly in name. The Commissioners miscellaneous. works. The former Kowloon vehicles at the Hunghom hand only constructional work; and Town Planning Committee, doing
observations and The Manager, Rallway, this will be finished by the end of work similar to that suggested for ment does not propose to proceed taining his own recommend that no person should be should be taken over by the present workshop.
All that will remain will a Zoning Committee, which ceased with a central store at present recommendations. This would save permitted to practise as an architect Drainage Office; roads construction states that for the railway to under-the year.
for the duplication of minutes and files, in the Colony unless he has obtain-by the present Roads Maintenance take major repairs of all vehicles be maintenance work. For this a to meet after May, 1923. Since, owg to lack of funds
the degree of A.R..B.A.,-exam- Office. The present division of roads he would require an additional staff of one engineer and two over- that date land sales and develop capital expenditure involved, it would give the Colonial Secretary As the seers is considered sufficient. The ment have been in accordance with does not share the views of the fuller Information, and would also inations for which are held in Hong work into two separate sub-depart-European mechanic, while, Kongor, a foreign diploma of ments is ludicrous, especially when Commissioners realize, a workshop remaining posts of executive an- the recommendations of the Com- Commission that several small give him an insight into the capa-
bggineer, two engineers, and three mittee.
The Government regrets stores, each with their own separ bilities of the Executive Engineers, A cause to this it is realised that the surfacing of al for minor repairs would still equal standing.
The that it can envisage no advantage ate staffs, more economical This system already obtaine within effect should be inserted in the new road is done by the maintenance necessary on the Hong Kong side. overseers should be abolished.
the Secretariat. Executive en- Directorate. Public Health and Buildings Ordin- and not by the constructional (ie., The transport of motor vehicles, es-engineer in charge of the reduced from a permanent zoning commit- than one large store.
Port Development sub-department tee such as is suggested by the
gineers should also be permitted to The second point stressed by General Works) Office, with the ro-pecially such heavy vehicles as road should be at the disposal of the new-Commissioners, Further to win 37.-There remains the dires spend up to $250 on local purchases witnesses was the incomprehensible sult that road construction estim-rollers, from Hong Kong to Kow-
ly constituted Harbour Board. planning schemes are now being torate.
for works already approved by the state into which the Buildings Or-ates are misleading. The regroup- loon would be expensive and un-
prepared and when they are ready The Director of Public Works has Legislature, without having to ob- The advantages of dinance had got AB a result
ofing proposals of the Commissioners satisfactory.
stop here. They advocate the present system in the daily of the Port Development sub-de- specially appointed
Paragraph 28.-The continuance they can be scrutinised by a to assist him two Assistant Directain special authority.
Committee.tors of Public Works (exclusive of amendment and re-amendment, with do not
Government's Comment. Director of of the enlarged supervision and adjustment of Gov-
Pubile the additional difficulty that, depart- the amalgamation
partment, and the staff required There is no need for a permanent the Assistant
Paragraphs 37-41-As soon as ments such as the Medical and Fire Bonds and Drainage offices into one ernment vehicles seem to have been for it, will be considered on the committee; it is only when large Werks in charge of Waterworks the post of Technical Secretary Brigade would, under cover of vague sub-department. This combined sub-inadequately appreciated by conclusion of the Vehicular Ferry new aeras, not hitherto considered, Construction). a Technical Secre has been vacated by its present
the phraseology in
It is proposed to Ordinance, department, which might well take Commissioners.
scheme. It should however be are opened up for development that tary and a Secretary. The Commis holder the salary of the post will the post of European noted that
the present executive such a body is required.
sfaners recommend that the stipulate for fulfilment of somewhat the title of 'General Works' Office, retrench
two be made the same as that of an fantastic requirements before they should take over the execution of Workshop Mechanic at the Was staff of this sub-department con- 33.--The combined Crown Lands posts of Assistant Directors of engineer-at present it is the same
it is considered sists, would consent to a plan being pass-miscellaneous works, which fell to chai shop, but
so far as maintenance and and Surveys Office should take over Public Works be abolished and reas that of executive engineer-and The remedy for eil.
both these the present General Works Office. necessary to retain the post of minor constructional works are more responsibility than it does at placed by one Deputy Director of a more junior officer appointed.
Engineer. The complete re-The work of the Roads and Drain-Mechanical
It may concerned,
Works. evils is the same.
of only one Engineer present. It should for instance deal Public
The Technical The same remarks apply mutatis drafting of the Buildings Ordin-age offices is so closely allied that ultimately be found that the boat and one Executive Engineer, and with all quarries, quarry leases, Secretary should e retained, but mutandle to the Secretary.
it under one head solution will be to place the work- unce. A special Committee, on which the placing of
a considerable part of the time of and permits, temporary leases and he should be a more junior officer garding the amalgamation of the should is representatives of leading should have good results. It will shops, ac far as motor vehicles are the latter officer is devoted to the annual permits in connection with than the present holder of the post two Assistant Directors of Public local Arms of architects, should be be necessary to retain an engineer concerned, on both sides of the Vehicular Forry schemea loan encroachments on Crown Land, For the Secretary should be sub-Works into one Deputy Director of
the work. There in charge of each of the old sub-harbour under
one officer.
This work. appointed for
without reference to a higher au- stituted a Chief Clerk, who should Public Works, Government is in- might well be incorporated in the departments, but their positions will possibility is still being investigat- Crown Lands and Surveys. thority, except where a matter of be a Class I officer of the Senior clined to doubt the wisdom of the revised ordinance provisions for not be of such responsibility as thated, and the whole question should
29. The two sub-departments of policy is involved. Lease plans Clerical and Accounting Staff, to suggestion. Were the recommen- payment of a fee for passing a plan of the present executive engineers. he further considered when the Crown Lands and Surveys can con- should also be signed by the Super-control the Correspondence Office, dation of the Commission to be and of penalty fees in the case of They will simply be engineers of Vehicular Ferry is in existence. veniently
be taken together. They intendent. Regarding sand permits which appears to be somewhat adopted it would still be necessary incorrectly draws up plans. Power some seniority, with
are closely allled, and at one time the Commissioners would draw at neglected. The first thing that re-to have one officer co-ordinating should also be given to the Governor, engineer of the combined sub- 24.-The Electrical sub-depart formed a single unit. They should tention to the fact that the sand quires attention here is the filing all the work on the Island, and in Council to censure an architect' department
the ment is divided into two sections, again be amalgamated under the resources of the Colony are being system-the present one being far another all the work on the main- who erects a faultily constructed whole.
one dealing with lighting, tele-headship of a properly qualified sar-rapidly depleted. The whole matter too cumbersome and detrimental to land. The officers selected would building, and to suspend or remove 22. None of the personnel of phones, etc., and the other with veror. The logical place for such a requires careful but immediate at-efficiency.
probably be the two senior execu- his name from the list of Author-the existing General Works Office wireless and broadcasting. The lat department is not in the Public tention; meanwhile the permit fees 38.-The Technical Secretary tive engineers. It is not difficult ised Architects in the event of his should be taken over by the new ter is under the Post Master Gen-Works Department but rather with should be considerably raized. would do most of the "hack" work to imagine that in a few years repeating the offence.
re-combined sub-department; it should cral, though directly administered the Land Office. The Land Officer Government's Comment. of the department, such as scrutinis these senior executive engineers quirements of the Medical and Fire be disposed of by termination of by the Electrical Engineer, who was, however, reluctant to take the Paragraph 33.-Action has been ing allotment vouchers, adjustment would have grown into Assistant authorities should be clearly set employment or absorbtion elsewhere thus owes a double allegiance to the sub-department whilst all witnesses taken in accordance with the re- of votes, and financial matters gen- Directors of Public Works, in ad- forth, so that there would be no into the Public Works Department Director of Public Works and the from the Public Works Department commendations in this paragraph, erally in connection with votes and dition to which there would also ambiguity. Thereafter the Director as vacancies occur. Constructional Post Master General. This dual were equally reluctant to see it leave except that it is considered desir-estimates.
be the higher salaried Deputy of Public Works, as Building Au- work by the Public Works Depart control of one sub-department is not them. The Commissioners make no able for the Director of Public
99-The Deputy Director would Director of Public Works. thority, would decide whether those ment will for the next few years be logical and is bound to be detri- recommendation on this point. Works to continue to sign lease carry out the greater part of the ernment agrees that the Director requirements had been complied negligible; on the other hand main-mental to efficiency. It is therefore, 30.-The most noteworthy fea-plans.
routine matters that are now done of Public Works should be reliev tenance work will have to continue. recommended that the whole of the ture about the personnel of these
by the Director. He would keep ined of the signing of cheques, and 18.The same or a similar Com-The proposal amounts in effect to a Electrical Office should be taken out two sub-departments, and of the 34.-The Superintendent of Ac-general touch with matters of policy that Assistant Directors of Public mittee might also go into the ques-reduction in the Roads and Drain- of the Public Works Department Surveys Office in particular, is the counts and Stores should remain and sub-departmental works and Works and Executive Engineera tion of contracting and aub- age offices.
and placed under the Post Office, of growth in the number of Chinese with duties substantially as at pre-contracts, (though more from the should be given increased author- contracting. As many witnesses
which it would form a sub-depart-surveyors, who are reported as sent, but the organisation of his clerical and financial than the con-ty as regards expenditure, subject The Director have said, it is the sub-contracting Paragraphs 21-22.-The General ment. The Commissioners are un-being highly satisfactory. Their sub-department should be examined structional standpoint), sign all to a definite limit. system as it exists in Hong Kong, Work Office, will be abolished, able to make recommendations re-jnumber has risen from 8 in 1926 to by financial and stores experts, who, cheques, and deal with all sub-of Public Works is preparing con- that is responsible for so much though the arrangements for the garding the staff of this sub-depart-35 in the present year. There has in consultation with the Director of ordinate and clerical ataff matters Crete proposals which will then be shoddy building. The law should, transference of its work amongst ment as they understand that nego- been no corresponding reduction, in Public Works and the Superinten-and programmes of work. As de-scrutinised by the Treasurer and if possible, he tightened up con- the Architectural, Drainage and tiations are proceeding between the fact
no reduction at all, in the dent, would evolve the most suitable puty to the Director of Public Auditor. The Commissioners ap- siderably In this respect, and Roads Offees will take a short time Government and the Imperial Wire-number of European surveyers.system of accounting and store Works he would have power to au- pear to have misconceived some modern methods enforced to the ex-to complete,
less and Cables Company with a The result is that the office is great-keeping. In this connection the thorise work on open votes, and local what the position of Executive En- clusion of the obsolete and danger- The question of Feductions in the view to the transference to the Com-ly overstaffed. A reduction of 6 Commissioners would remark that store purchases.
The ous ones now prevailing.
staff at present allotted to the pany of the greater part of the out of 9 European surveyors should on several occasions they called for 40.-The Director would deal with of their sub-departments. 19. For the present the Commis- General Works Office cannot be de Colony's wireless service. Only be made forthwith. This will leave exact figures. In practically every all matters of polly with the Gor-rst two sentences of paragraph 40 siste exactly the position of the sioners do not consider that the cided until experience of a few when it is known exactly what wire the combined sub-departments with instance they were assured that the ernment on the one side, and the Director of Public Works as it is large staff of six engineers months has shown how the Roads less work will still have to be done a total senior European staff of figures would readily be forth-executive engineers on the other. to-day. Executive Engineers al- and ten overseers in the Bulldings and Drainage Offices can deal with by the Government will it be pos- seven officers; not an ungenerous coming; but in no case were they. He would normally only deal direct- Ordinance Office can be cut down the extra work that will be thrown able to make staff arrangements. allowance, and quite sufficient to Figures indeed were produced after ly with the senio: European staf. ready correspond with the public When there is a new ordinance the on to them.
are encouraged to do Government's Comment. jsupervise the Chinese survey staff, an interminable delay-but they He would have power to authorise staff can be reduced. It is essential cipated that no large reductions Paragraph 24-Government does some of whom are still comparative-were of little or no use. The Com-work on open votes up to a total of gineers to minute direct in 0.8.0.-
the revision should
not be will be possible, for whilst Govern not consider the suggestion to putly inexperienced. In a few years it missioners believe indeed that the $500 in respect of each specific fles would, except in routine cases, delayed.
ment is not itself embarking on an the Electrical Department under should be possible further to reduce Water and Railway Departments work, and similarly to authorise lead to delay and confusion. The extensive constructional prothe Postmaster General to be sound, the European staff in this office. are the only two departments which local store purchases up to $500 ¡Secretariat should deal with the Paragraphs 17-19.—Considerable gramme, there is considerable The department deals with many Government's Comment. keep their accounts on a proper and to accept tendate up to $1,000, bead of the department after he progress had been made in the re- building development going on ea matters outside the sphere of the Paragraphs 29-30-The Crown basis. The need for cost accounting without prior reference to the has settled his views with his sub- rision and redrafting of the Ordin-pecially on the mainland, which in Postmaster General.
Lands and Survey Offices have is imperative. Such a system, which Colonial Secretariat; subsequent ordinates, and not with subordin ance before the Retrenchment Com- volves the provision of drains and 26. They would, however, aug-been re-amalgamated and a reduc- should also provide for the keeping notification being wfficient.
ate officers. The proposals of the mission's Report was received. The drainage systems, and improved gest for the consideration of Govtion of three European posts of simple accounts by sub-depart- 41-The Commissioners, though Commissioners would tend to be suggestion of the Commission are streets and roads. It is on acernment the question of the disposal Superintendent of Crown Lands, ments, would cost no more in staff admitting that the headquarters subversive of discipline within the being considered in connection with count of this rapid development of the Government's telephone ter Second Assistant Superintendent or labour than the present system, staff is fully occupied under the pre- Department. the new Ordinance, and the that the Government does not feel vice to the Telephone Co. it natis. of Crown Landa, and one Surveyor which is wholly unreliable and al-sent organisation of the department, 42.-The Commissioners while un- technical members of the Authoris able to agree to the amalgamation factory terms can be arranged. It effected. In view of the fact together fails to reveal the true feel justified in recommending re- able to go too closely into ed Architects Committee will be at present of the Roads and Drain- might also be found cheaper to let that Brigadier Winterbotham, who position. The salaries etc. of the ductions in that staf on three the consulted on proposed amendments age Offices which deal with very out to contract the maintenance of was specially sent out by the officers of the Senior and Junior grounds. Firstly, there is the ordinate staffs, foremen, mes- in the Ordinance. It is not con- specialized spheres of work. Government lifts. At present this Colonial Office to inspect the sur- Clerical Staffe would have, to be diminished amount of work with seagers, coolies, etc., of the sub- sidered desirable to confine the list 23. There is included in the work is carried out by the Electricaley offices of Crown Colonies, re-charged to the various departments which the department as a whole departments came to the conclusion of authorised architects to persone Roads sub-department, staff to carry department.
ported that the staff of the survey before the coating figures could be will have to deal; secondly, there is that a reduction of 20 per cent of who hold the certificate of out repairs to Government vehicles
office of Hong Kong should be in- Government's Comment.
the recommendation for the entire the existing subordinate staff, cor A.R.I.B.A. No such provision at the motor repair shop at Wan- Paragraph 25.--The question of creased by one European surveyor,
Government's Comment. severance from the department of responding to that made in the en- exists in England. In view of the chai. This shop undertakes not letting out to contract the main- it is not considered that further
Paragraph 94,-The Treasurer Waterworks; and thirdly, is the gincer and overseer grades, should importance of safeguarding the only minor repairs but major ones tenance of Government lifts is being reductions beyond those indicated and Auditor have been instructed fact that much of the congestion of be recommended; exactly how and public against dangers to life and as well. This is a bad case of explored.
It is not considered above should be made.
31-The Valuations and Resumpto go into this matter as soon as work at the central office is caused where the reductions should be health the Government must demur | duplication, for at the Railway desirable to dispose of the Govern-
by faulty organisation. The broad effected bolag left to the discretion to the use of the word fantastic' workshops at Hunghom there is of ment's telephone system.
tions Officer, half of whose work is time permits.
35. On the matter of accounts outline given above of the duties of of the sub-departmental heads. They with reference to the requirements necessity a far larger workshop,
for the Estate Duty Commissioner,
great the Director and the headquarters will make recommendations regard- Port Development.
should as soON of the Director of Medical and which, apart from rallway works,
as the resumption the Commissioners heard a 26-Of the engineering depart-work in New Kowloon has been deal of ovidence regarding the staff Indicates the. lines on which ing the clerical establishment else.
must take place where in their report.
with or not.
that
Government's Comment.
Government's Comment.
It is however anti-
Accounts and Stores.
arrived at
Sanitary Services and the Head of repairs Government motor vehicles.ments proper there remains the completed, a matter of Ave years or¡ Allotment Voucher system. This reorganisation
the Fire Brigade."
It is doubtful Government number of Government vehicles to
on
of the
*
14
Gov-
gineers. They are in full control
direct and
80. To permit Executive En-
details of tho
Bub.
There is not a sufficiently large Port Development. The Commisso, be absorbed into the Assessor's system was devised as a check on There should be decentralisation of Government's Comment. -
Paragraph 42-Instructions have rules and regulations could eradi-justify two sets of expensive repair sioners have already reported to office. For the present it is essen- the expenditure of money by execu-responsibility; not enough is given
the tial that he should be in close and tive engineers. Unfortunately it to the executive engineers. Some of been given that vacancies are not cale the system of subcontracting. tools and machinery. The Wanchai Government their views
20. The Architectural and Build- shop should deal with minor repairs futuro administration of the bar constant touch with the Public appears to have been abused, more tisse who appeared before the Can-to be filled, except where absolute- in the Hong Kong than in the Kow-mission showed a reluctance to ac-ly necessary, and the Director of ings Ordinance Offices should be only, anything of a major kind being bour, and also on the necessity for Works Department.
loon saction of the Public Works cept responsibility. It cannot be Pablic Works has been instructed Government's Comment. considered as one office for the pur-sent over to Hunghom. This will proceeding, with a survey
Faragraph 31-Government Department. Steps should be taken too strongly emphasised that res- to explore to the utmost the pos- pose of circulation of staff. The mean transporting badly damaged harbour without delay. If It is not heads of both should be fully quall vehicles across the harbour, but the found practicable to employ on this agrees with this recommendation, to remedy this by sub-dividing votesponsibility is a necessary adjunct to sibility of replacing the European Subordinats Staff by Chinese offi fied architects. The title 'architect' cost of this will be negligible com- survey, the two qualified officers who which does not however call for and by making quarterly allocations the ofice of Executive Engineer.
in advance. An executive engineer Under the grouping of sub-cers. might well be substituted for that pared with the present duplication. are already in the Government ser any action at present.
82-The Commissioners received le a responsible officer and paid as departments as advocated by the Summary of Commission's of engineer' in the case of senior Reductions will have to be made in vice, it will be necesary to engage
Recommendations, officers of these sub-departments. the staff of the Wanchai shop. The qualified men from outside the ser- complaints of delays by the Crown such. If he cannot be trusted with Commissioners the relative import
48. Summarising the recom- Such a nomenclature would be more post of Mechanical Engineer, for vice. Their engagement should be Landa Office in dealing with applica- responsibility in the spending of ance of executive engineers will be
tions for land. This they found to pubile money his services should be greatly enhanced. To make the mendations as a whole;-Water- in accordance with reality, or what which in any case there appears to strictly of a temporary, nature.
be the fault not of the individual dispensed with. To fetter him as scheme workable they must be en-works will be entirely detached, and should be reality.
Government's Comment. officers but rather of the unwieldy is now done only makes for delay, trusted with full control of their its financial policy put upon a proper Government's Comment
Paragraph 26-One qualified system, whereby an application has Government's Comment. sub-departments. The directorate basis; there will be a net reduction Paragraph 20. The two offices charge of one European overseer; at officer formerly in Government ser to be referred to numerowe other Paragraph 85. The allotment will dictate policy; the execution of of 21 wasior officers and 11 over
so conaldered The title present there are two.
vice has already been appointed for sub-departments, such as Drainage, voucher system was instituted as a the work should be for the engineers peers, or about 80 per cent, and 12 Architect has been substituted for Government's Comment.. this work on a temporary basis. Waterworks, etc., before a decision result of executive engineers in in charge. The work of the nital per cent respectively of the approv- that of Engineur.
Paragraph 28.-On the Island 21-The Vehicular Ferry Piers is arrived at. It would be far simcurring unauthorised expenditure. office can be further alleviated, ed establishments; and by the pro- General Works Office. there are 77 Government motor scheme is another extraordinary pler if areas for development, were The system does not relieve them without throwing any more on to cess of amalgamation the number of 21-It has already been stated vehicles, exclusive of motor cycles, work. This is being executed by mapped out in zones in advance of responsibility. Allocations in the ub-departments by requiring sub-departments will be reduced that the existing General Works and on the mainland 47. The met the permanent star of the Port This would stable, an application or advance are already made, and the public to correspond direct with from thirteen to sevent. There the Office should be abolished, and its ter has been gene into very care Development sub-department. For a site in the ares to be speedly Engineers are, so far as the Gov- the head of the sub-department con departments should he offered by work, split up amongst other sub-fally, and the solution which ap the future, it is recommended that granted without the present multi-ernment is aware, not unduly fet-cerned and not through the lire experts. Today is the day departments. With minor building pesca to Government to be the most works of this nature should either, plicity of rolerence; whilst at the tered by the present system. torate, as at present. The
(Continued on Paga 14.)
are
be little justification, should bo abollahed. The shop should be in
*Not reproduced.