Estimates-1959 — Page 204

New posts

1 Stores Officer

2 Assistant Stores Officers

1 Overseer

1 Foreman Class I

4 Stores Attendants

1 Telephone Operator

1 Stores Officer

Supernumerary Staff

205

Existing posts deleted

4 Coolies

29

11

* Approved by Special Warrant during the year.

Two new posts of Chief Stores Officer have been created, offset by a reduction, of one post of Senior Stores Officer. Due to the volume of administrative work and office routine it has been necessary to re-establish a post of Executive Grade Officer to act as Secretary. The increases in clerical and storekeeping staff are due to the continued expansion of the department's activities.

These changes together with normal increments account for the increase of $191,290

in the vote for personal emoluments.

Under Other Charges Annually Recurrent the only significant change is the increase of $5 million in the authorized gross expenditure for Unallocated Stores and the increase in net expenditure of $500,000. These increases are to meet the growing demand for all types of stores, particularly engineering stores, and the rising prices of all supplies. Payments for the collection and storage of sand are estimated to be up by $300,000 but this will be offset by increased sales. These and other minor changes account for the increase of $810,000 in recurrent expenditure.

Under Special Expenditure the provision for furniture for Government buildings and quarters is up by $150,000 owing to increased requirements in all departments. The vote for office equipment, which is sub-divided into three classes, also shows an increase of $260,000. This is partly due to additional requirements and partly to the inclusion of items previously provided for under departmental votes.

HEAD 41 – SUBVENTIONS

Estimate 1958/59

$62,082,900

Revised estimate 1957/58

54,228,000

Approved estimate 1957/58

57,955,050

Actual expenditure 1956/57

42,772,652

Estimate 1958/59

Revised estimate 1957/58

Approved estimate 1957/58

Actual expenditure 1956/57

Social Welfare

$2,395,800

3,749,000

3,849,430

2,018,166

Recurrent subventions to certain welfare organizations have, on the advice of the Social Welfare Advisory Committee, been increased. The most substantial increase is $102,000 to the Boys' and Girls' Clubs Association to meet the salaries of additional Club Leaders for the Second Stage of their expansion programme. This is followed by the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children with an increase of $80,000 to meet the increased operating costs of centres. Other increases include $31,000 to the Christian Children's Fund, Inc. to cover a full year's expenditure for the Children's Garden at Wu Kwai Sha; and $18,000 to the Good Shepherd Sisters for maintenance of an additional 20 - 30 girls in Pelletier Hall.