assimilation of the mechanical work concerned has been in progress throughout the remainder of the year. The Division has a staff of 2,540, including two Senior and five Mechanical Engineers.
Workshops Maintenance Section
7.12. Apart from the period of the disturbances, the Workshops continued to operate on much the same lines as in former years and the now familiar annual increases in maintenance commitments for motor vehicles, diesel, mobile and cooling plant were successfully absorbed. However overtime working has now risen to its practicable limit and future increases may prove more difficult to absorb. A summary of the various categories of equipment maintained is given in Appendix X. The total number of jobs handled in the Mechanical Workshops amounted to nearly 130,000.
7.13. In the Vehicle Workshops the effect of the disturbances was particularly serious. The continued Police mobilization imposed a great load and necessitated a change in the method of operation in that a large part of the workshops staff was organized into special servicing teams. These were despatched from station to station to service the Police fleet on the spot and deal with as many as possible of the defects arising through their constant use before major breakdowns resulted.
7.14. In the Parking Meter Sub-section it was found that 60% of the 50,000 meter faults attended were caused by attempts to use foreign articles instead of the proper coins. The variety of articles used can only be said to be a tribute to the misplaced ingenuity of those responsible. During the disturbances meters were a favourite target for rioters and over 2,500 were put out of action, including 30 which disappeared without trace. A favourite means of vandalism was the injection of acid into the mechanism through the coin slot. By 31st March, 1968 it had been possible to repair and reinstate 1,200 meters and it is expected that it will be possible to repair 95% or more of the damaged meters.
Plant Operating & Hospital Engineering Services Section
7.15. This Section is responsible for the site maintenance and operation of a number of plants, including major air-conditioning plants in Government buildings and the Incinerator Plant at Kennedy Town, as well as the provision of engineering services at Government hospitals. Since 1st July, 1967 it has also assumed responsibility for the operation of a variety of plant from H.B.M. Ministry of Public Building and Works Operating Section, whose staff is being absorbed.
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