Estimates-1960 — Page 200

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Improvements in the staffing position of the Drainage Office is enabling that office to catch up with its programme for the replacement of defective sewers and, taking into account the maintenance costs of recently constructed works, additional expenditure of $450,000 is provided for.

The subhead previously titled "Replacement of air-conditioning units" has been amended to "Maintenance and replacements of, and improvements to air-conditioning plants and units", with a provision of $310,000. Replacement of compressors, condensers and auxiliary fittings are necessary for several old installations, particularly that on the 5th and 6th floors of the Queen Mary Hospital.

An additional $10,000 is required on the Maintenance of sea-walls, piers and dumps subhead to

meet maintenance costs of the new sea-wall and marine structures at Kai Tak Airport.

Increased production is anticipated when new plant is installed at the Hok Yuen Quarry and an increased provision of $150,000 is accordingly provided under the Operation of Quarries vote. Expenditure on the subhead is offset by revenue on sale of quarry products.

Extra lights are scheduled for connexion at an estimated cost of $200,000 and the Lighting of Streets and Public Places vote is increased accordingly.

The various categories of roads maintenance expenses previously shown as separate subheads have been amalgamated and itemized under Subhead 14 with a total provision of $3,530,000. The cost of reconstruction of roads, formerly charged in part against maintenance of roads and bridges, is now provided wholly under Head 30.

Maintenance costs of irrigation works in the New Territories will be higher by $20,000 in 1959/60 due to the increased number of completed irrigation schemes.

More main laying works, particularly in reclaimed areas, the New Territories and at So Uk, require an additional provision of $200,000 under the Replacement and Minor Extension of Distribution Mains subhead.

The demand for metered supplies is expected to be maintained and this results in an increase in the Water Meters vote of $100,000.

Repair of catchwaters, provision of chemicals for the fluoridation of water supplies and the increase in the yield from Tai Lam Chung result in the Waterworks, Supply and Maintenance vote being increased by $600,000.

The provision of domestic appliances for officers accommodated in rented premises, the replace- ment of appliances beyond economical repair and the expanding requirements of Government departments account for the increase of $138,000 in subhead 21.

HEAD 30 - PUBLIC WORKS NON-RECURRENT

Estimate 1959/60

Revised estimate 1958/59

Approved estimate 1958/59

Actual expenditure 1957/58

$181,822,300

135,000,000

186,750,000

117,717,594

The revised estimate for 1958/59 falls short of the approved estimate by $51.7 millions.

The Report of the Subcommittee of Finance Committee appointed to review the Public Works Programme is published separately. With the minor exceptions indicated in Part III (Explanatory Notes on Appendices I and II) the Appendix to that Report is reproduced as Appendix II.

There are two changes in the layout of this Head as compared with previous years. With the exception of buildings nearing completion where all the necessary items have already been purchased, provisions for furniture and equipment previously provided under departmental special expenditure are now shown as sub-items to the building votes: the total costs of building projects are thus more clearly shown. The provisions included for furniture and equipment in this Head amount to $7,357,400. Secondly, the sections under the heading "Buildings" have been rearranged. The "Medical and Health" sub-section now only includes hospitals, clinics and dispensaries. Latrines, bathhouses, markets etc., which were previously included under this sub-section are now shown together with parks and public buildings under a new sub- section "Parks, Playgrounds and Public Amenities", The sub-section "Public Buildings etc." has been deleted.

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