VEHICLE DESIGN AND PROCUREMENT SECTION
8.37 During the year, 542 new vehicles were received and put into service, while 270 were disposed of. The vehicles received were diverse, ranging from motor scooters to Cesspit Emptiers and from saloon cars to Refuse Collectors. Many designs were completed or modified in an effort to reduce costs, which continue to rise. In addition, this section contracted and supervised the construction and repair of 413 vehicle bodies and a large number of refuse bins, refuse collection handcarts and vehicle ancillaries.
Transport Pool
8.38 The 132 vehicles of the Government Transport Pool made 31,239 trips during the year. In addition, there were 9,846 commercial vehicles hired to supplement pool transport. 751 candidates for motor driver vacancies throughout the entire public service were tested and 108 were engaged. Government vehicles of all Departments were involved in 1,385 accidents.
PLANT OPERATION
Incineration Plants, Abattoirs and Compost Plant
8.39 Just prior to the Lunar New Year the Lai Chi Kok Incineration Plant was shut down for major overhaul. During the period under review certain modifications were made to the boiler super-heaters and the turbo-alternator was commissioned. Failure of the superheater tubes of one boiler during the third quarter necessitated modifications. Apart from these difficulties the plant has operated smoothly and a steady output achieved. Approximately 185,000 tons of refuse was burnt during the year. 516 mechanical and 114 electrical repairs were effected by plant staff.
8.40 The Compost Plant at Lai Chi Kok produced 140 tons of compost during the first half of the year, after which there was little demand for the product. 35 mechanical repairs were carried out during the period of operation.
8.41 Cheung Sha Wan Abattoir plant operated daily throughout the year. Production was delayed by breakdown on only one occasion and then the delay was largely due to the fact that spare parts had been metricated. This necessitated modification to a gearbox before repair could be effected.
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