Estimates-1956 — Page 48

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administration whose work is at present hampered by lack of such assistance. 5 Settlement Supervisors and 15 Area Officers are required on account of expanding activities generally. A Watchman is necessary in the new Resettlement Administration Office at Homantin for the safeguarding of valuable equipment and an additional Messenger for collection and delivery of urgent papers etc. 42 Resettlement Labourers are being transferred from the Urban Services Department.

169.

Screening Section. The 2 extra Clerks and 12 Screeners were formerly employed temporarily as a charge against emergency fire votes but as they will be required for as long as can at present be foreseen they have been transferred to the Departmental establishment.

170.

Squatter Control Section. 2 Clerks are required for work at present performed by Patrol Overseers and Squatter Patrol Coolies, to the detriment of their proper duties. 2 Over- seers are needed on account of the increased activities in this Section. The 18 Motor Drivers are for the vehicles taken over on permanent allocation from the transport pool. There is a corres- ponding reduction in the number of posts provided under Head 29-Public Works Department.

171.

Other Charges total $542,650 as against estimated expenditure of $348,000 for the period 1st June, 1954 to 31st March, 1955. The main items responsible for the increase are daily-rated staff and fuel, light and power.

172.

Special Expenditure totalling $4,128,200 includes revotes of $1,265,000 and replace- ments, $119,000. The remaining items include $1,250,000 for extending the existing tolerated area at Tai Wo Hau to accommodate 20,000 persons and $280,000 for the development of a controlled tolerated area in the Tai Wo Ping Valley north of Shek Kip Mei with a view to resettling the victims of the Tai Po Road Village fire. The votes totalling $800,000 for local public works represent a continuation of the existing provision for site formation, paths, drainage, retaining walls, etc., in existing resettlement areas. The only other large item is $156,000 for new latrines (in addition to a revote of $86,000) required for the resettlement areas at Chai Wan, Chuk Yuen, Tung Tau/Pok Oi and Homantin/King's Park.

173.

Provision of $22,200 is required for additional fencing of dangerous sites, $30,000 for minor works, etc., and $70,000 for turfing slopes in resettlement areas to prevent landslides.

HEAD 37 ROYAL OBSERVATORY

Estimate 1955/56

$1,400,570

Revised estimate 1954/55

1,095,000

Approved estimate 1954/55

1,174,836

Actual expenditure 1953/54

919,591

Permanent staff

1954/55

86

1955/56

86

Difference

174.

The only change in the establishment is in respect of the creation of an additional post of Computer Class II in place of a post of Computer Class III for the purpose of providing a more satisfactory promotion ratio. The increase of $8,134 in the vote for Personal Emolu- ments arises principally from normal increments and salaries revision.

175.

Under Other Charges, a new vote has been created for Cable and Wireless charges, formerly provided for in a block vote under Head 19-Miscellaneous Services. The additional provision of $3,000 for fuel, light and power is required for the air conditioners fitted to the new radar wind-finding set. The vote for upper-air investigation includes the cost of operation and maintenance of radio-sonde and radar wind equipment. The 1954/55 estimate covered only 9 months' operation of the latter and additional funds of $25,000 are required to cover a full programme of four wind-finding ascents per day throughout the year.

176.

Special Expenditure includes $2,900 for barometers to be issued on loan to vessels based on Hong Kong which undertake to make regular weather reports to the Observatory and which are not already fitted with sufficiently reliable equipment for the purpose. Radar test equipment, $16,500, is required for a micro-wave signal generator and high sensitivity meter which will be used for testing and calibrating the radar wind-finding equipment.