ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE
Chief Electrical & Mechanical Engineer,
D. W. Walker, B.Sc., A.M.I.E.E., M.I.Mech.E.
GENERAL
180. The sub-department continued to maintain, repair and overhaul Government electrical and mechanical equipment including all motor vehicles, road plant, cranes, steam installations, air-conditioning plants, lifts, motors, traffic control lights, refrigerators and domestic appliances. 181. The smooth functioning and administration of the sub-department remained seriously handicapped by the fact that the mechanical, electrical and air-conditioning offices continued to be in three separate localities; however, plans for a multi-storey workshop/office building at Caroline Hill to house all these activities under one roof are nearing completion.
182. H.E. the Governor accompanied by the Director of Public Works made a tour of inspection of the Caroline Hill Workshop on 24th December, 1958.
MECHANICAL SECTION
183. At the end of the year Government vehicles in service totalled 1,199 against an authorized establishment of 1,293. They comprised 245 motor cycles, 480 cars and light utility vans and 474 heavy load carrying and special purpose vehicles. A total of 654 accidents occurred. 228 new vehicles came into service and 39 old ones were disposed of in accordance with the recommendations of Boards of Surveys.
184. The 163 vehicles comprising the Government Transport Pool carried out over 37,000 details.
185. Of the 273 applicants tested for posts as motor drivers, 121 were selected.
186. The local construction of specially designed all-metal motor vehicle bodies included 2 special ambulances, 2 emergency tenders and 2 hose lorries for the Fire Brigade, one 30-cwt. stores van for the Electrical and Mechanical Office of the Public Works Department, 6 Police Medium General Purpose Vans, one medium mobile Command Post and one dual purpose mobile Command Post for the Police Force and one Black Maria bus for the Prisons Department. In addition, local firms constructed metal canopies on 21 standard 3-ton lorries and one 5-ton lorry and manufactured 100 refuse hand carts complete with bins for the Urban Services Department, 49 for the Resettlement Department and 16 for the District Administration, New Territories.
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