Estimates-1958 — Page 206

202

HEAD 43 - COLONIAL DEVELOPMENT AND WELFARE SCHEME

Estimate 1957/58

Revised estimate 1956/57

Approved estimate 1956/57

Actual expenditure 1955/56

General

$3,810,770

4,492,000

4,709,570

772,977

The Village Agricultural Depots Scheme [No. D994] was completed during the year.

The grants to meet the capital and recurrent expenditure of the Fisheries Research Unit (Scheme No. R480A) will be exhausted during 1956/57 and future expenditure on this Unit will be met from local funds. A decision has been taken to abandon Scheme No. D1435- Mechanization of fishing fleet-in its original form: it is now proposed to build a sea-going vessel, as an experiment in mechanization, with funds provided from general revenues.

Expenditure under this Head is offset by revenue in the form of loans and grants receivable from H. M. Government. In the case of the more recent grants the Colonial Government is required to have a financial stake in schemes benefitting from C. D. & W. funds. The exact percentage varies and can be ascertained in each case from the footnote to the Estimates. Receipts are accounted for under Revenue Head 12.

Loans to fishermen (Scheme No. D1967)

The funds will not be fully utilized by the end of this financial year and provision

of $120,000 is made.

Site development for low cost housing at:

(a) Hung Hom (Scheme No. D2061)

Last year's forecast was over-optimistic: by 1st April 1956, two blocks (242 flats) were occupied, and one further block (166 flats) was occupied soon after. These blocks included 25 shops with living quarters. Another two blocks are virtually complete but blasting operations are delaying occupation of part of them. A further four blocks are planned. It is expected that the C. D. & W. grant will be exhausted this year: expenditure thereafter will be met from local funds.

(b) Healthy Village (Scheme No. D2341)

The two blocks (279 flats & 12 shops) on the first site were completed & occupied during the summer of 1956. Site formation on the other site is proceeding and should be com- pleted by the end of the financial year; this site will allow of the construction of a further 300 flats.

(c) Kennedy Town (Scheme No. D2663 & A)

An additional grant of $140,000 was made during the year for this Housing Authority scheme as a result of an upward revision in the estimate of the cost of the site formation from $700,000 to $840,000. The contract is scheduled for completion towards the close of the year and the provision of $30,000 is for the payment of retention money.

(d) So Uk (Scheme No. D2990)

This is the site formation side of a new Housing Authority scheme for which $50 million has been allocated as a loan from the Development Fund. Tentative details of the scheme envisage the provision of 5,300 flats, (housing about 28,000 persons) 100 shops, an assembly hall and two 24-classroom schools. It is hoped that the site formation work, which will cost about $2.5 m. (the balance of $900,000 being met by the Housing Authority from the loan), will commence early in 1957/58.

Development Scheme in the New Territories (Scheme No. D2539)

Progress on the various items of the composite scheme approved last year has been satisfactory. Feeder roads, dams and piers are being surveyed or are under construction and expenditure in 1956/57 should reach the estimated figure.

Aeronautical Telecommunications (Scheme No. D2594)

This scheme has been delayed by negotiations over the supply of equipment.

Insurance Charges

A new sub-head of expenditure has been included to provide for those necessary charges contingent on the purchase of materials for certain C. D. & W. schemes, which are not reimbursible from the grants. Hitherto claims for reimbursement have been reduced to allow for expenditure from local funds: it is now thought more proper to itemize it separately.