Estimates-1956 — Page 55

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Repulse Bay. The post of Foreman Class I represents a regrading of a Class III post provided for the supervision of burials and exhumations at Wo Hop Shek and Sandy Ridge Cemeteries, on which 3 Gangers and 60 Sanitary Coolies are at present engaged.

205.

The 22 deleted posts include the Foreman Class III referred to in the preceding paragraph and 21 posts transferred to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Department as a consequence of the transfer of responsibility for veterinary duties approved during the year.

206.

These changes in establishment, together with normal increments and salaries revision, account for the increase of $1,100,783 in the vote for Personal Emoluments.

207.

Under Other Charges, the principal increases include $281,500 for daily-rated staff required for new resettlement areas and formerly paid from the emergency fire relief votes; $35,000 for fuel, light and power, arising from increased office accommodation and the require- ments of the new By-products Plant; $15,000 for raw materials used by the By-products Plant; $6,000 for scavenging as the result of increased commitments in squatter areas; and $25,000 for uniforms, due to the increased number of uniformed staff. Offsetting these increases are a number of savings in respect of votes previously overestimated, including $60,000 for cemeteries, $1,000 for coffins and biers, $35,000 for conservancy, $50,000 for stores and equipment and $3,500 for travelling expenses. Provision is no longer required for anti-rabies measures and the feeding of dogs, following the transfer of veterinary duties to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Department.

208.

Special Expenditure items totalling $995,100 include revotes, $700,500, replacements, $280,500, and new items, $14,100. The latter comprise 8 bicycles required for Rat Catchers in Kowloon, who have to cover a large area in the course of their daily duties, and $12,500 for a steel raft to be installed at Lai Chi Kok Beach.

209.

HEAD 42B — URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT: GARDENS DIVISION

Estimate 1955/56

$1,239,850

Revised estimate 1954/55

884,000

Approved estimate 1954/55

824,088

Actual expenditure 1953/54

649,807

1954/55 1955/56

Difference

Permanent staff

192

221

+ 29

The increase of 29 posts in the permanent establishment comprises:-

1 Overseer

1 Clerk

1 Custodian

2 Leading Groundsmen

3 Groundsmen

3 Parkkeepers, Class II

2 Motor Drivers

1 Forest Ranger

3 Foresters

4 Forest Guards Class I

8 Forest Guards Class II

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