Estimates-1959 — Page 162

New posts

9 Stockmen

2 Nurserymen

2 Artisans Class I

1 Artisan Class II

3 Motor Drivers

1 Tractor Driver*

4 Handlers

2 Caretakers

10 Farm Labourers Class I

16 Farm Labourers Class II

163

Existing posts deleted

| |

75

Supernumerary Staff

1 Veterinary Officer

1 Executive Grade Officer

22

* Approved by Special Warrant during the year.

A new post of Assistant Director is provided to assist with the increasing administra- tive work in the department. One additional post of Assistant Agricultural Officer and five additional posts of Agricultural Supervisors Class II have been included under the Agricultural Division for work in connexion with the operation of the Kadoorie Agricultural Aid Loan Fund. The provision of a full time credit team to operate this Fund will enable the regular staff of the department to devote their full time to their proper duties of investigation, development and extension of the agricultural services of the Colony.

Increases in staff for the animal inoculating teams will enable the department to make a wider coverage of inoculations, giving a greater control of animal diseases.

The respon- sibility for the maintenance of Government grounds and compounds in the New Territories has been transferred to this department from the Urban Services Department and the staff transferred for this purpose is included in the provision for Farm Labourer Class II. Three new posts of Game Warden have been included to establish a new Wild Animal Protection team under the control of this department. It is hoped shortly to establish a permanent cattle quarantiņe depot to house increased cattle landings, and additional posts of one Stockman and five Farm Labourers Class II have been included for this purpose. One post of Fisheries Supervisor Class II has been included for the operational control of the pearl culture project taking place within the Colony's waters. An additional post of Agricultural Supervisor Class II has been included, together with three other minor posts, to form the nucleus of a team for planned agricultural resettlement work. With the increased activities of the department, additional clerical

staff has been provided.

Under Other Charges Annually Recurrent increased provision for fuel, light and power is necessary as more of the New Territories Agricultural Stations have been provided with elec- tricity. Provision for the rent of stations, etc. has been raised back to the figure provided two years ago as it has still not been possible to finalize the land resumption at the Castle Peak Agricultural Station for which, at present, rent is still being paid. A sum of $220,000 has been revoted from last year's expenditure for the purpose of resuming this land. Increases in the Affore- station, Forestry Lots and Maintenance of Forest Areas votes include provision not only for an expanded planting programme but for increased wage rates for casual labourers. The popularity of the Agricultural Show with both exhibitors and visitors, and the replacement of stores used regularly over the past six years, have necessitated an increase of $25,000 in the Agricultural Show recurrent vote. Increased prices and increased numbers of livestock held on Government Stations have necessitated an increase in the provision for feed for livestock. As a result of the successful experiment carried out last year, recurrent provision for the training of young farmers has again been included this year. The purchase of livestock to provide new blood for Agricultural Stations is a regular item of expenditure and provision for this has been transferred to the annually recurrent section.

Under Special Expenditure supplementary provision for the Hung Shui Hang and Lo Fu Hang forest reserve was approved for the last financial year and it is hoped to spend $100,000 on this project over three years; the provision of $40,000 is the second instalment for