Depots are in the Public Works Programme with a view to easing congestion, whilst a workshop extension has been proposed for Caroline Hill. Unfortunately it is unlikely that any of these projects will be completed within the next 12 months. The Senior Engineer (Workshop) is also responsible for the Parking Meter Section and Pool Transport. The Vehicle Design and Procurement Section is responsible for the preparation of vehicle and mobile plant specifications including specialized plant and vehicles, the design of non-standard vehicle bodies, co-ordination of the Government's annual vehicle requirements, contracts for chassis assembly, bodywork repair and repainting, construction of refuse hand-carts and bulk containers together with the supervision of such contracts. The Plant Operation Section operates and maintains major plants and is divided into 6 groups, namely, Incinerators and Abattoirs, Central Air-Conditioning Plants, and the Engineering Services of Hospitals, Kai Tak Airport, Lion Rock Tunnel and the City Hall. The majority of the plants are required to provide a 24-hour year-round service. The Military Works Section, headed by a serving Officer on secondment from the Royal Engineers, is responsible for the operation and maintenance of non-combat electrical and mechanical equipment in Royal Naval, Army and Royal Air Force installations, barracks and some 3,500 Services married quarters in the Colony. This involves the operation of Cold Stores, Boilers, Pumping Stations, Swimming Pools, BMH services, Generators, etc., and the maintenance not only of the above facilities but of Switchgear, Air Compressors, Workshops Equipment, Grass Cutters, Cookhouse Equipment and a wide range of Domestic Equipment from married quarters. In all over 55,000 items are involved, including 4,500 refrigerators and over 45,000 of these are items of domestic equipment such as fans, cookers, water heaters, irons and vacuum cleaners.
PROGRESS AND PLANNING SECTION
8.11. Towards the end of the previous year, a post was approved for a supernumerary Senior Electrical and Mechanical Engineer to work in conjunction with the Treasury Accountant on the introduction of a production control system in the Workshops. Unfortunately, the Treasury Accountant terminated his contract prematurely early in the current year, but with the simultaneous arrival of an Electrical and Mechanical Engineer, it was possible to form the nucleus of a Progress and Planning Section within the Sub-Department. The initial work of the Section was concerned mainly with the survey of current facilities
Page 101