Estimates-1956 — Page 27

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75.

Under Other Charges, decreases of $226,300 are shown in the vote for coal and fuel oil, due mainly to more efficient running of locomotives; $7,000 under daily-rated staff arising from the transfer of staff to monthly rates; $8,000 under fuel, light and power due to lower costs and to full recovery for electricity used in staff quarters; and $85,264 under main- tenance of permanent way and rolling stock as a consequence of renewals and replacements in recent years.

Increases include $1,200 for stores and equipment to meet the cost of stores required for cleaning carriages now being delivered and $40,000 for tools and plant in respect of service tools for the maintenance of the diesel locomotives on order.

76.

Special Expenditure includes revotes of $65,000 for the new Crossing Station at Ma Niu Shui, approved during the year, and $2,658,000 for rolling stock on order. New items include $30,000 for repairs to Bridge No. 20 south of Tai Po Station, $29,000 for surfacing the approach roads to Wo Hop Shek Cemetery and Fanling Station, and $9,000 to cover the cost of a visit by a Service Engineer from the Clyde Engineering Co., in connexion with the 2 diesel electric locomotives on order.

77.

HEAD 15-— LABOUR DEPARTMENT

Estimate 1955/56

$1,030,500

Revised estimate 1954/55

760,000

Approved estimate 1954/55

806,926

Actual expenditure 1953/54

688,322

1954/55 1955/56

Difference

Permanent staff

Supernumerary staff

57

1

67

+10

1

The increase of 10 posts in the permanent establishment comprises:

1 Superintendent of Labour

2 Senior Labour Inspectors

3 Labour Inspectors

4 Clerks

10

An additional post of Cadet Officer Class I is offset by a post of Cadet Officer Class II within the approved overall Cadet establishment, which remains unaltered.

78.

It is proposed to reorganize the Labour Inspectorate in view of the industrial development taking place in the Colony, requiring an appreciably larger number of Inspectors than are at present available. Adequate inspection is essential if the law governing the employ- ment of labour in all its aspects is to be enforced. The reorganization entails additional posts of a Superintendent of Labour, 2 Senior Labour Inspectors and 3 Labour Inspectors, giving a total Inspectorate of:-

1 Superintendent of Labour

1 Chief Labour Inspector

2 Senior Labour Inspectors

12 Labour Inspectors

3 Women Labour Inspectors

The expanded Inspectorate will result in a substantial increase in the clerical work connected with reports, correspondence, etc., and a further 3 Clerks will be needed if efficiency is to be maintained. In addition, a Clerk is needed in connexion with overseas contracts and general assistance in the Headquarters office.

79.

These changes in establishment, together with normal increments and salaries revision, account for the increase of $219,834 in the vote for Personal Emoluments.

80.

Under Other Charges, decreases are shown in a number of votes previous over- estimated. An additional $2,640 is required in respect of rented accommodation in Kowloon taken over from the Urban Services Department during the year. Increases of $200 for stores and equipment and $2,000 for travelling expenses arise from increased activities of the Department generally.