Estimates-1958 — Page 179

These 206 posts are as follows:-

1 Senior Health Inspector*

1 Clerk*

4 Overseers*

5 Foremen*

19 Gangers*

146 Scavenging Coolies*

15 Latrine Attendants*

7 Caretakers*

8 Motor Drivers*

206

The other 15 new posts consist of:-

1 Cadet Officer Class II*

1 Executive Officer Class II

4 Clerks

4 Demarcators

3 Assistant Inspectors of Works

2 Messengers

15

-

175

*

Approved by Special Warrant during the year.

The additional post of Executive Officer is created to deal with executive work at the District Office, Tai Po, to allow the District Officer more time for field-work. Additional clerical posts are required to deal with the increasing volume of paper work which has arisen from the rapid expansion of development in the New Territories. Four more demarcators are needed together with another Land Bailiff (shown under the Public Works Department Head) to deal with the continued expansion of general field-work and the licensing of temporary structures that have sprung up illegally in all parts of the New Territories. Three new posts of Assistant Inspector of Works have been created to supervise the construction and maintenance of local public works in the New Territories.

The responsibility for scavenging in the New Territories was transferred from the Medical Department to this Department in October, 1956, and at the same time the opportunity was taken to improve the service by recruiting additional staff and providing much needed equip- ment and transport; for the latter, provision of $185,200 has been included under Special Expenditure.

Under Other Charges, the Local Public Works vote of $120,000 represents an increase of $60,000 over last year's figure and will provide not only for additional assistance to villagers mainly in the form of grants of cement to construct dams, wells and footpaths, but also for the cost of maintaining such projects in the future.

Estimate 1957/58

Revised estimate 1956/57 Approved estimate 1956/57

HEAD 21 PENSIONS

$14,596,000

13,700,000

13,579,000

13,705,262

Actual expenditure 1955/56

Based on the actual continuing annual liabilities to which Government is already committed, and allowing for fresh awards of pensions, gratuities and compensation which may be made during the year, it is considered that the 1957/58 provision should include an increase of $1,000,000 for "Civil pensions, etc.", $53,000 for "Gratuities for Officers on contract, ex-gratia pensions, awards and allowances" and $15,000 for "Workmen's compensation". These increases are offset to a small extent by decreased provision under other subheads where reductions in expenditure are expected due to cessation of awards on death or for other reasons. The net total increase is $1,017,000.