Estimates-1956 — Page 12

7

8.

The net increase of 48 posts in the permanent establishment comprises 50 new posts less 2 posts of Fisheries Survey Assistant deleted:

*

4 Clerks

less

1 Caretaker

1 Senior Veterinary Officer

1 Veterinary Officer

2 Overseers

1 Laboratory Technician

5 Dog Inoculators

1 Foreman, Class III

8 Stockmen

2 Motor Drivers

13 Dog Handlers

2 Fisheries Supervisors, Class II

2 Fisheries Supervisors, Class III

1 Coxswain, Class II

1 Launch Engineer, Class IV

5 Fishermen

50

2 Fisheries Survey Assistants

48

Of the 4 Clerks, 1 was transferred from the Urban Services Department during the year as a consequence of the transfer of Veterinary duties, 1 is in place of a daily-paid Clerk employed on certification of local farm and fisheries produce for export to the U.S.A., 1 is required for main- taining the accounts in respect of loans to fishermen under C.D. & W. Scheme D1967, and 1 is required for the new Forestry District Headquarters and Nursery at Fanling for maintenance of forestry records, progress of afforestation, etc. The Caretaker is required at Headquarters in replacement of an officer transferred to the new Forestry District Headquarters.

9.

The posts of 1 Senior Veterinary Officer, 1 Veterinary Officer, 5 Dog Inoculators, 1 Foreman Class III, 1 Motor Driver and 13 Dog Handlers were transferred from the Urban Services Department during the year. A Laboratory Technician is required for the Veterinary Laboratory to assist the Veterinary Officer in bacteriological and pathological work connected with the diagnosis of animal diseases. 2 Overseers and 8 Stockmen are needed for livestock quarantine escort duties.

10.

The mechanized fishing fleet of the Colony has increased during the past year by over 400 vessels, including 30 deep sea trawlers, and the rate of mechanization is still increasing as the result of the credit facilities available from Government and local firms. In order to maintain efficiency in the running of such vessels it is necessary that fishermen should be trained in navigation and general seamanship and in the running and maintenance of diesel engines. 2 posts of Fisheries Supervisor Class II are required for this purpose. 2 existing posts of Fisheries Survey Assistant are replaced by 2 posts of Fisheries Supervisor Class III in accordance with approved fisheries policy. Provision has been made in the Marine Department Estimates for a small mechanized fishing boat for inspection, training and general fisheries observation by Fisheries staff. This vessel will be manned by a Coxswain Class II, a Launch Engineer Class IV and 5 Fishermen. An additional Motor Driver is required for a new van provided for the Marine Fisheries Office at Aberdeen. The Fisheries staff stationed at Aberdeen have to travel continually between the main fishing centres at Aberdeen, Shaukiwan and Stanley and the one existing vehicle is fully engaged on the mainland for fresh-water fisheries and oyster-bed investigation duties.

11.

These changes in establishment, together with normal increments and salaries revision, account for the increase of $89.578 in the vote for Personal Emoluments.