Estimates-1958 — Page 205

201

Under Other Charges Annually Recurrent, the daily-rated staff vote has now been deleted. A new vote appears for rent of the divisional office in King's Building, which also accounts for a slight increase in the vote for fuel, light and power. The votes for maintenance of gardens and grounds, Kai Tak Airport grounds, public playgrounds, and recreation grounds, all show considerable decreases accounted for by the grouping together of various provisions for casual labour under one new subhead. Increases occur in certain votes: $1,000 for uniforms; $9,000 for maintenance of urban roadsides and scenic areas; and $3,000 for stores and equipment. The vote for amenity planting is now included under a new Special Expenditure parks and playgrounds subhead.

Under Special Expenditure, there are revotes amounting in all to $45,000; $5,100 is provided for 3 lightweight motor cycles for the extra Overseer and Class I Parkkeepers. Certain replacements of mowing equipment will be required, for which $36,700 is provided. The largest item is the vote for the new parks and playgrounds programme, under which have been included the former votes for amenity planting, development of urban open spaces and improvement of urban amenities.

HEAD 42C ·URBAN SERVICES AND URBAN COUNCIL:

HOUSING DIVISION

Estimate 1957/58

$519,200

Revised estimate 1956/57

180,000

Approved estimate 1956/57

221,790

Actual expenditure 1955/56

35,962

1956/57 1957/58

Difference

Permanent staff

39

79

+40

40

Net increase

The changes to the permanent staff comprise:-

New posts

1 Senior Executive Officer Class II*

1 Clerk-of-Works Class II

8 Assistant Clerks-of-Works (4*)

5 Investigating Officers

6 Housing Assistants

-

Existing post deleted

1 Cadet Officer Class II

5 Clerks

5 Porters

10 Estate Coolies

41

1

* Approved by Special Warrant during the year.

The establishment in the 1956/57 Estimates was only partially filled, and the Housing Authority has revised its proposals for next year. It is not possible to make an accurate forecast of the date of recruitment for some of the new posts as this is related to progress on building construction. As far as practicable provision has been inserted only to cover the periods for which it is reasonably certain the posts will be occupied. The gross salaries of the staff of the Housing Authority, plus a 30% surcharge, are reimbursed to Government by the Authority.

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