Estimates-1959 — Page 187

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conversion of lifts at the Canton Road Quarters is to convert lifts from manually to mechanically operated. To improve communications in the Police Force an amount of $3,541,000 is required. The amount of $2,433,200 for motor transport is made up of a revote of $574,500; $418,500 for replacement of 26 vehicles; and $1,440 200 for new vehicles. $1,000,000 is required for an initial purchase of Parking Meters. Transport equipment at $44,900 is to meet cost of fire extinguishers, refills and armour plate to modify armoured cars. A revote of $160,000 is included in the sum of $372,000 requested for Traffic light signals and the balance is for the installation of new signals.

HEAD 22B-HONG KONG POLICE (AUXILIARIES)

Estimate 1958/59

$1,528,300

Revised estimate 1957/58

1,601,000

Approved estimate 1957/58

1,895,920

Actual expenditure 1956/57

1,211,591

Permanent staff

1957/58

3

1958/59

3

Difference

Under Other Charges Annually Recurrent considerable reductions have been effected in all subheads, resulting in an overall decrease of $368,300 in the vote.

HEAD 23 — POST OFFICE

Estimate 1958/59

$19,452,700

Revised estimate 1957/58

19,171,000

Approved estimate 1957/58

17,014,610

Actual expenditure 1956/57

15,789,747

1957/58

Permanent staff

Net increase

787

1958/59

868

Difference

+ 81

81

New posts

1 Postal Clerk Special Class

1 Postal Clerk Class I

8 Postal Clerks Class II

18 Postal Clerks Class III

7 Postal Clerks

2 Postmen Class I

23 Postmen Class II

21 Mail Coolies

81

New posts are required to provide for constantly increasing volume of local and overseas letter mails, parcel mails and ancillary services, staffing of new Post Offices, extension of local collection services and delivery to the ever increasing number of houses and flats in the Colony.

The absence of two senior officers on leave prior to retirement and one senior officer on leave throughout the year will lead to an increase in Acting Pay, whilst the opening of new offices and the growth of traffic call for greater numbers of staff on Sundays and Public Holidays. This, together with the larger number of staff on overtime required to deal with Christmas traffic, necessitates an increase in Overtime Allowances.