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PROGRESS AND PLANNING SUB-DIVISION
8.16
During the year the Sub-Division has been concerned with co-ordinating the activities of both major workshops, their detachments and the three Military Works Depots with regard to job control systems, overhaul programmes, cost effectiveness of repair operations, work evaluation, utilisation of workshop space, utilisation of workshop equipment, standardisation of working procedures, repair material specifications and acquisition of spare parts.
8.17
Despite every effort to obtain new staff, resignations have out-paced recruitment and the manpower shortage in the Sub-Division continues to be acute, especially at junior level. The lure of higher salaries in the commercial sector coupled with impatience for further promotion to a comparable level is the main reason for most resignations. By judicious use of overtime and assistance on carefully selected areas of activity from Apprentice Engineers and Technical Apprentices undergoing training, it has been possible to maintain the forward momentum of the Sub-Division.
8.18
Following surveys in Kowloon Workshop, standard working procedures have now been introduced in all sections of E. & M. Office Workshops, Servicing Stations and Depots. Simultaneously a small costing section has been established in Kowloon Workshop to process costing data concerning Urban Council, Housing Department and Military Works equipment.
8.19
Throughout the year much of the work of the Sub-Division has been concerned with maintaining a satisfactory repair and maintenance service to client Departments at minimum cost. Financial savings continue to be made by recycling engines and transmission units from otherwise worn-out vehicle chassis. A repair policy for refrigerators of 4 to 7 cu. ft. capacity has been formulated, which will eradicate uneconomic overhaul of old models. To counteract world-wide commodity shortages, the versatility and skill of the artisan force in manufacturing certain items of spare parts, coupled with a greater awareness of the necessity to reclaim and refurbish worn component parts, has been developed throughout the workshop organisations. This action has helped maintain, at a high level, the overall maintenance and repair service to client Departments.
8.20
Close liaison with Government Supplies Department has continued in order to ensure that an economical yet adequate range of spare parts has been available to workshops, at the appropriate time, for the multiplicity of maintenance and repair operations carried out by the Office.
WORKSHOPS AND MAINTENANCE SUB-DIVISION
8.21
In addition to the maintenance of Government's vehicle fleet, this Sub-Division regularly inspects, repairs and renovates almost all the electrical and mechanical equipment used by Government. This work ranges from electro-medical devices to high voltage distribution, from bicycles to refuse collection vehicles, from rice cookers to road-making plant.
8.22
The re-organisation of the workshops, begun in late 1972, has been proceeding since the approval of the necessary additional supervisory and
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