Estimates-1956 — Page 17

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HEAD 8 - COOPERATIVES AND MARKETING DEPARTMENT

Estimate 1955/56

$532,600

Revised estimate 1954/55

455,000

Approved estimate 1954/55

504,527

Actual expenditure 1953/54

390,538

1954/55 1955/56

Difference

Permanent staff

Temporary staff

33

3

36

+ 3

3

Net increase

33..

The increase of 3 posts in the permanent establishment comprises 3 Cooperatives Officers Class II. There are now 47 Cooperative Societies in Hong Kong and it may be anti- cipated that the number will increase. The inception of the Joseph Bequest Fund has also stimulated an interest in cooperatives and many inquiries are being received by the Department on how to form societies. It is now proposed to divide the cooperative activities of the Depart- ment into 3 sections dealing with fishermen's, farmers' and urban cooperatives, the latter including housing societies, thrift and loan societies, etc. In addition to the 3 posts mentioned, an additional post of Marketing Officer is included in replacement of an Executive Officer, this post being required in order to relieve the existing Marketing Officer of administrative duties, thus enabling him to concentrate on the operational aspects of marketing. These changes, together with normal increments and salaries revision, account for the increase of $41,653 in the vote for Personal Emoluments.

34.

Under Other Charges, the only change is a reduction of $500 in the vote for stores and equipment, previously overestimated.

HEAD 9A-R.H.K.D.F. HEADQUARTERS AND HONG KONG REGIMENT

Estimate 1955/56

$2,136,300

Revised estimate 1954/55

2,522,000

Approved estimate 1954/55

2,422,820

Actual expenditure 1953/54

1,984,977

1954/55

1955/56

Difference

Permanent staff

42

40

2

Attached Services Personnel

11

12

+ 1

Net decrease

1

Supernumerary staff

1

1

35.

The posts of Staff Captain and Regimental Sergeant Major are no longer required and have therefore been deleted. The post of Armourer, formerly filled by an officer on second- ment from the Army, is now filled substantively. The net result of these changes is a decrease of one post in the total establishment. The supernumerary post of Storekeeper Class II is required for three months only during the period of the annual camp, as approved during the current year.

These changes, taking into account normal increments and salaries revision, result in a decrease of $37,020 in the vote for Personal Emoluments.

36.

Under Other Charges, additional provision of $58,500 is required for routine replacement of clothing and accoutrements which have been in use for up to five years. Reductions are shown in other votes which have previously been overestimated, the net decrease under Other Charges being $135,500.

Special Expenditure includes provision for replacing an existing vehicle. The remaining items are revotes.

37.