CO129-534-3 Report of Retrenchment Commission 4-5-1931 - 19-2-1932 — Page 64

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Paragraph 11.

Government is satisfied that the

further extension of the system of departmental execution of small works would be une conomic, entailing as it would capital outlay for workshops etc. The Government considers that the

present system is more economical than that suggested by the Commissioners.

to.

Paragraph 12. The Chairman of the Tender Board, whom this paragraph has been r eferred, considers that no advantago would be gained or economy result by adopting the first and third suggestions.

Government concurs. The second is already

the invariable practice. The third suggestion is in direct conflict with the policy of entrusting heads of departments and sub-departments with responsibility, which is stressed so strongly elsewhere in the Report.

Paragraph 13. Government is in general agreement with this paragraph, but each work will have to be dealt with on its merits. The second section of the Shing Mun Water Works scheme, for example, will probably be carried out by temporary staff, whilst the hydrographic survey of the harbour is being done by temporary staff specially engaged by Government for the purpose.

Paragraphs 14 - 16.

Government is satisfied that the present system whereby the care of furniture is attended to by the Stores branch is the most satisfactory. There is only one engineer engaged on maintenance work. The normal requirements of the office are four engineers in addition to the Executive Engineer. This is the position today, for three engineers are engaged on loan works. On the termination of those works they will either be absorbed into vacancies

in the