Estimates-1959 — Page 196

HEAD 30 -- PUBLIC WORKS RECURRENT

Estimate 1958/59

Revised estimate 1957/58

Approved estimate 1957/58

$29,977,000

32,860,000

26,133,000

21,112,864

197

Actual expenditure 1956/57

The increase of $700,000 in the Maintenance of Buildings vote is due mainly to a substantial increase in maintenance contract rates which show a general rise of 13% over previous rates. In addition, maintenance has to be provided for a larger number of buildings.

Steady expansion of all departments together with the general rise in contract rates accounts for the increase in the vote for Alterations and Additions to Buildings. The rise in contract rates also accounts for the increased cost of Maintenance of Lighthouses.

The increased provision of $250,000 for Operation of Electrical and Mechanical Work- shop is necessary because of continued expansion and of general increases in prices of materials.

$60,000 is provided under a new Electrical and Mechanical subhead entitled Replacement of air-conditioning units. This is to provide for the replacement of air conditioning units that are now beyond economical repair.

Stepping up of the production of road surfacing materials particularly those with a high bitumen content, results in increased costs for Operation of Quarries. Expenditure on this vote is offset by revenue from sale of quarry products.

With the opening of the new runway this year, it is expected that it will be possible to reduce the maintenance costs under the Kai Tak Airport vote by $80,000.

The increase of $80,000 in the Maintenance of Footpaths and Drainage Connections vote is for repairs of footpaths under verandahs as required by the Buildings Ordinance, 1955. The increased expenditure will be partly offset by collection of permit fees for permission to erect balconies over Crown Land.

The increase in weight and density of traffic continues to take its toll in the form of very rapid deterioration of the roads resulting in the increased provision of $5,000,000 for Maintenance of Roads and Bridges.

The increase of $76,000 in the Lighting of Streets and Public Places vote is for the cost of maintaining additional street lamps which are to be installed.

Increased pumping from Tai Lam Chung together with increased cost of fuel accounts for the provision of an additional $400,000 in Waterworks, Supply and Maintenance vote.

With the extension of irrigation works in the New Territories, it is necessary to provide additional funds for maintenance. $30,000 is required for the additional work to be undertaken and the Maintenance of Irrigation Works in the New Territories vote is increased accordingly.

The title of the Maintenance of Cemeteries vote has been amended to Maintenance and Extension of Cemeteries to provide for the construction of new terraces at Wo Hop Shek and Sandy Ridge Cemeteries previously provided for under Head 31 and for which an additional $300,000 is required.

HEAD 31 - PUBLIC WORKS NON-RECURRENT

Estimate 1958/59

Revised estimate 1957/58

Approved estimate 1957/58

$186,750,000

131,763,000

152,063,000

112,836,529

Actual expenditure 1956/57

The revised estimate for 1957/58 falls short of the approved estimate by $20.3 millions.

The report of the Sub-Committee of Finance Committee appointed to review the Public Works programme is published separately. The appendix to that report is reproduced as Appendix II.