A 38
STORES DEPARTMENT.
REPORT OF THE CONTROLLER OF STORES FOR THE YEAR 1959.
I. PREFACE.
Central Purchasing was started in 1937 as the result of an investigation by Committee appointed to enquire into the methods by which the supplies of the various Government departments were purchased and distributed.
Central Purchasing was undertaken, in the first instance, by the Director of Public Works through his authorized deputy the Superintendent of Accounts and Stores.
As from the 23rd February, 1937, all matters relating to Stores and Indents, (including all correspondence with the Crown Agents for the Colonies, previously undertaken by the Colonial Secretariat) were transferred to the Director of Public Works, with the exception of those pertaining to the Kowloon-Canton Railway.
After the scheme had been in operation for about fifteen months Government decided, with the approval of the Secretary of State, that the work in connection with the purchase of stores should be removed from the Public Works Department and taken over by a separate Stores Department under the immediate charge of an officer bearing the title "Controller of Stores" and under the general supervision of the Financial Secretary.
The Stores Department, composed of the former Store staff of the Public Works Department, commenced to function on the 1st June, 1938, with headquarters at Bullock Lane, Wanchai.
The main depot at Wanchai—originally situated on the waterfront but now, through reclamation work, far removed from it—has in the course of time become hopelessly inadequate to meet the demands of the greatly increased public undertakings during the past decade. The need for more warehouse accommodation has been for a long time a matter of serious concern.
During the past few years part of a warehouse has been used for the administrative offices; the overcrowding and unsanitary conditions there have caused much sickness amongst the staff, whilst working conditions during the summer have been almost intolerable.
Funds were in fact provided in the 1929 Estimates for new Stores buildings at Hung Hom, but on account of financial stringency the scheme was deferred.
Funds were again provided in the 1936 Estimates for new Stores premises at Hung Hom. In the meantime, however, this area, where a Broadcasting Station had been temporarily erected, was found particularly suitable for Wireless transmission. It was decided, therefore, that the Hung Hom area should be allotted for wireless services and as a result of this decision the provision for a new Store made in the 1936 Estimates lapsed.
A new site at North Point, which is in an industrial area, was proposed after careful investigation and was finally approved by Government, the necessary funds being voted by the Legislature in the 1938 Estimates.
Owing to pressure of other architectural work it was not found possible to commence work on the new Central Store buildings during 1938; the work on the pier and piling was, however, completed.