Consultant Engineers for building engineering services estimated at $97.66 M. in 22 major projects which are at present under investigation, in design or in progress. Assistance has also been given to the Education Department on the subject of building services installations in grant-in-aid and subsidized schools and to the Director of Housing on building services engineering in flats, estates and factories under his control.
4.25 During the year contracts or sub-contracts were let for building services in New Works to a total value of $68.979 M. and work to the value of $16.288 M. was ordered on the electrical, lift and other maintenance contracts. In addition, standard fittings and other materials to the value of $12.535 M. were ordered through the Government Supplies Department for incorporation in the works.
4.26 The Branch completed the task of rewiring Mark I and Mark II resettlement estate blocks, having completed such work in a total of 235 blocks in a 4-year Programme.
4.27 MAINTENANCE BRANCH Government Maintenance Surveyor: K.R.R. BOYCE, F.R.I.C.S. Chief Maintenance Surveyor: P.J. CORSER, A.R.I.C.S. J.K. PENNEY, A.R.I.C.S. (Acting) This Branch, under the overall control of the Government Maintenance Surveyor, is responsible for the maintenance of, and minor alterations or improvements to, all Government buildings (except those under the control of the Housing Department) and H.B.M. Services establishments.
4.28 The work on Government buildings is carried out by sections covering three contract areas, namely, Hong Kong Island, subdivided into eight districts, Kowloon, subdivided into eight districts and New Territories and Islands, subdivided into four districts. Four Maintenance Surveyors, under the supervision of a Senior Maintenance Surveyor, are in charge of the work in each of the first two sections. A clerk of works, assisted by assistant clerks of works, and/or building foremen, is responsible for the day-to-day supervision of work in each maintenance district. As a result of increasing maintenance responsibilities following development in the New Territories, approval was given at the end of the year to re-divide the New Territories and Islands area into six districts under a Senior Maintenance Surveyor. Work is mainly executed by a term contract based on a schedule of rates but small groups of directly employed labour have been established in major buildings or complexes to execute day-to-day and emergency repairs. This use of directly employed labour will be further expanded in due course as and when adequate technical staff can be recruited and workshop accommodation can be made available.
4.29 Maintenance of electrical and other services, under building services engineers, assisted by inspectors, assistant inspectors and foremen, is also organised on a regional basis. Checking of accounts is carried out by sections of the Quantity Surveying Branch and Building Services Branch.
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