18
Head 26.
Public Relations Officor
Estimate 1948/49
$78,464
Revised Estimate 1947/48
54,834
Approved Estimato 1947/48 Actual Expenditure 1946/47
53,720
43,375
No comments.
Head 27.
Public Works Department
Estimate 1948/49
242
Revised Estimatc 1947/48 Approved Estimato 1947/48
Actual Expenditure 1946/47
4,151,855
3,094,058
2,798,202
2,691,884
A number of alterations have been made in the titles of posts. A Superintendent of Government Garages and an Assistant Superintendent have been provided for Kowloon as well as for Hong Kong Island. The sc additional appointments have hitherto been charged to the Temporary Staff Vote. 4 additional @lorks of Works have been transferred from the Temporary Staff Vote to the non-pensionable establishment. 2 additional Waterworks Inspectors have been provided in connection with the preliminary work on the Tai Lam Chung Reservoir Scheme.
A number of junior professional officers have been on daily rates of pay and paid out of maintenance votos. It is considered desirable that their appointments should be on a more regular basis, and provision has been made under non-pensionable staff for 10 Assistant Engineers, 1 Assistant Building Surveyor and 1 Quantity Surveyor's Assistant.
The Salarios Commission recommended that local engineering graduatos should be given greater opportunities of post-graduate training in the Public Works Department. It is considered that such an arrangement would be of benefit both to the Government and to the individual, and provision has accordingly been made for increasing the establishment of apprenticos from 5 to 7.
The Department of Crown Lands and Surveys has a very hoavy programme ahead reconstituting records lost during tho war a nd making frosh surveys. It is considered necessary to increase the staff by the addition of 3 Land Surveyors and 2 Crown Lands Officers.
Head 28. Public Works Rocurrent
Estimate 1948/49
Revised Estimate 1947/48 Approved Estimate 1947/48
Actual Expenditure 1946/47
$10,779,500
5,247,599
7,923,000
3,885,820
The main incrcase is in respect of the maintenance of Government buildings, lighthouses, roads, drains, etc., as installations repaired in the early days of the reoccupation to a low standard owing to lack of materials, now require further attention, and it has boon necessary to draw up a 4 year programme, to provide for this. This is responsible for an increase of $1,215,000 in respect of buildings, $100,000 in respect of sewers and storm water drains and $750,000 in respect of roads and bridges. It has been necessary to increase the provision for strect lighting by $200,000 as more of the street lamps which were removed by the Japanese have now boon reinstated.