Estimates-1959 — Page 209

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The progress being made with the approved programme of latrine/bathhouse con- struction requires 24 additional posts of latrine attendant (Sanitary Coolies).

To allow staff to enjoy some of the leave to which they are entitled, the following additional staff are included in their appropriate grades as leave reserves:- 13 Overseers, 2 Foremen Class II, 1 Foreman Class III, 3 Special drivers, 2 Motor drivers, 13 Gangers, 1 Artisan Class I, 1 Watchman, and 101 Sanitary Coolies.

Staff approved during the year included 1 Overseer, 2 Foremen Class II, 1 Artisan Class I, 8 Life Guards, 6 Dressing Room Attendants and 7 Sanitary Coolies for the Victoria Park Swimming Pool; and 1 Overseer, 1 Foreman Class I, 6 Car Park Attendants and 6 Sanitary Coolies for the multi-storey car park.

These changes together with normal increments account for the increase of $1,916,180 under the Personal Emoluments vote.

Under Other Charges Annually Recurrent, there is a new subhead, "Health education", which provides for expenditure to be incurred on a planned programme of health education to assist in maintaining hygiene standards in the Colony at a satisfactory level. An amount of $15,000 formerly provided under the Advertising vote for this purpose has been transferred to the new subhead. An additional $35,000 is required, $25,000 of which is provided under the Govern- ment Printer's vote, for printing of pamphlets, posters, etc. The vote for fuel, light and power has been increased by $100,000 to provide for the operation of the Victoria Park Swimming Pool, the new Yaumati Market, new latrines/bathhouses and offices, and for the multi-storey car parks. There is a decrease of $9,000 in the vote for rent of offices and/or quarters following the relin- quishing of the offices at Baskerville House. The provision for casual labour has been reduced to $100,000, following the transfer of regularly employed labourers to the Personal Emoluments vote, and also the transfer of the responsibility for scavenging in resettlement estates to the Resettle- ment Department. Increased provision amounting to $21,000 is needed under the vote for materials for the by-products plant to cover the purchase of additional bones so as to increase the quantity of the finished products; it is expected that the increased provision will in turn produce a net increase in revenue of $35,000. Increases on other votes include $2,000 under publications for a sub-library for the Kowloon sections of the department; $4,000 for the coffins vote; and $20,000 for Gin Drinkers Bay expenses to meet the cost of meals for additional staff.

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Under Special Expenditure, provision is included for the purchase of cinematograph equipment and six loud hailers ($5,600) required in connexion with the health education pro- gramme; for the replacement of 2 unserviceable motor cycles ($7,000), 1 refuse collecting vehicle ($67,000), and 1 petrol pump ($3,200); for an additional 7 nightsoil collecting vehicles ($315,000), and 3 refuse collecting vehicles ($219,000), which are required to meet the necessary expansion of the scavenging and conservancy services. Extension of the street washing programme entails the purchase of 2 new street washing vehicles ($106,000); and 3 mechanical dumpers are needed for the Gin Drinkers Bay refuse dump ($21,900).

HEAD 43B-URBAN SERVICES AND URBAN COUNCIL:

Estimate 1958/59

GARDENS DIVISION

Revised estimate 1957/58

Approved estimate 1957/58

Actual expenditure 1956/57

Permanent staff

Net increase

$2,532,700

2,247,000

2,356,050

1,160,162

1957/58

478

1958/59

Difference

534

+ 56

56

The net increase of 56 posts in the permanent establishment comprises 64 new posts of which 2 were approved during the year as indicated, less 8 existing posts deleted, as follows:-