Estimates-1956 — Page 41

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128.

Crown Lands and Surveys Office. Of the 31 new posts, 8 were approved during the year as indicated. The remaining posts of 1 Assistant Land Surveyor, 2 Map Draughtsmen, 2 Land Bailiffs, 2 Clerks and 16 Survey Coolies are required on account of the increasing volume of work undertaken by the Crown Lands and. Surveys Office.

129.

Drainage Office. The additional posts of Assistant Engineering Surveyor Class III and Engineering Draughtsman Class III are required on account of the increasing number of drains in use and the need to improve the Departmental records in this respect. The additional Motor Driver represents a transfer from daily-rated staff in accordance with the approved policy.

130.

Port Works Office. The post of Assistant Inspector of Works was approved during the year as a training post. The posts of Foreman Class III and Laboratory Attendant represent transfers from daily-rated staff in accordance with the approved policy.

131.

Roads Office. The post of Assistant Inspector of Works was approved during the year for training purposes. The additional Foreman Class II is required to supervise the new bitumen sprayer and four road rollers on order, and an extra Stone Checker is needed for the new weighbridge to be installed shortly at the quarry. The remaining posts of 6 Motor Drivers, 5 Plantmen and 2 Artisans represent transfers from daily-rated staff in accordance with the approved policy.

132.

Electrical and Mechanical Office. Of the 73 new posts, 6 were approved during the year as indicated.

The additional posts of 3 Electrical Engineers, etc., 3 Electrical Inspectors Class II, 1 Assistant Electrical Inspector, 1 Mechanical Inspector Class I, 4 Foremen Class I and 2 Foremen Class II are required on account of the increased quantity of electrical and mechanical equipment in use and also in connexion with the design of such equipment for new buildings. The 3 posts of Gate Checker replace 3 existing posts of Watchmen deleted. The posts of 13 Foremen Class III, 2 Motor Drivers, 28 Artisans and 5 Plantmen represent transfers from daily-rated staff in accordance with the approved policy. 2 additional Lift Operators are required for the new lift installed in Queen Mary Hospital. The 19 deleted posts include 3 Watchmen replaced by Gate Checkers and 16 posts transferred to the Stores Department in consequence of the transfer of responsibility for the Electrical and Mechanical Unallocated Stores to the Controller of Stores.

133.

Waterworks Office. The posts of 1 Assistant Waterworks Engineer, 1 Assistant Waterworks Inspector, 2 Foremen Class II, 2 Junior Meter Readers, 1 Clerk and 3 Artisans Class I are required for the development of the Tai Lam Chung Scheme, the improvement of supply and distribution of water, the extension of waterworks in the Yuen Long district, the detection of waste and in connexion with the increased number of water meters in use. The remaining posts of 3 Motor Drivers, 30 Artisans and 32 Turncocks represent transfers from daily- rated staff in accordance with the approved policy. The 10 deleted posts are in respect of the Waterworks stores taken over during the year by the Controller of Stores, to whom the posts have been transferred.

134.

The changes in establishment, together with normal increments and salaries revision, account for the increase of $2,676,833 in the vote for Personal Emoluments.

135.

Under Other Charges, a reduction of $547,600 is shown in the vote for daily-rated staff as a consequence of the transfer of posts to the monthly paid establishment. The principal increases comprise $45,000 for fuel, light and power due to the increased requirements of the new Government Offices; $7,300 for maintenance of office machinery and equipment; $19,400 for running expenses of vehicles, on account of extra transport employed in connexion with the various new water schemes in Kowloon and the New Territories, and the requirements of 3 new vehicles allotted to the Drainage Office; $10,000 for stores and equipment due to a general increase in departmental activities; $16,000 for subsistence allowances arising from the increased number of officers required to live near their place of work in outlying districts; $25,000 for travelling expenses, reflecting the expanding programme of works; and $5,650 for University engineering students and graduates, due to the revision of the salary scale for Apprentice Engineers.

136.

Special Expenditure items totalling $1,815,000 include revotes, $578,100; replace- ments $852,900 of which $691,900 is for vehicles; and new items, $384,000. The latter include card index cabinets for recording electrical and other equipment in Government buildings, $14,000; 2 additional vehicles $31,500; additional water pumps for Eastern Pumping Station, $75,000; quarry plant, $82,000; and sundry items of workshop machinery and equipment, $181,500.