(i) Architectural Office
(ii) Crown Lands and Survey Office
1968-69
$19.413 M.
1969-70
$20.686 M.
$ .300 M. $ .491 M.
As the above figures indicate, maintenance works and services undertaken by the Architectural Office account for the largest proportion of this expenditure. In particular, maintenance of Government buildings amounted to $15.702 M. and it is pertinent to record that expenditure on this account has risen by 85% in the past five years. The increase reflects in part the additional recurrent maintenance costs which inevitably become a charge on public funds once new buildings are completed.
Civil Engineering Office
2.18. The cost of maintaining the Colony's road network, drainage system, portworks and allied services, amounted to $18.918 M. in 1969-70 compared with $20.671 M. in the previous year. The apparent decrease is not however a true indicator of expenditure trends in the cost of civil engineering maintenance works and services.
2.19. Dry weather in 1969-70 resulted in only $0.626 M. being spent on repairs to damaged roads and drains, compared with $3.373 M. spent on repairing damage caused by the heavy rainstorms in June 1968. Low demand for quarry products also accounts for less expenditure being incurred in the operation of the Government quarries.
Electrical and Mechanical Office
2.20. The activities of this sub-department as described elsewhere in this report are principally concerned with the servicing and repair of Government's fleet of vehicles, air-conditioning plants, incinerators, abattoirs and other major electrical and mechanical installations in Government establishments throughout the Colony, resulting in heavy recurrent expenditure.
2.21. The total for 1969-70 amounted to $7.8 M. compared with $7 M. the previous year, although this only represents material costs. The cost of directly employed labour in the E. and M. Workshops is estimated at $20 M., which means that the real recurrent costs were about $27.8 M.
Waterworks Office
2.22. The total cost of operating and maintaining the Colony's water supply system amounted to $44.655 M. in 1969-70 compared
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