Estimates-1961 — Page 221

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Other Charges Annually Recurrent show a net increase of $532,600. The main increase are in Relief & public assistance ($300,000) to provide cooked meals or dry rations for an increased number of destitutes and unemployed persons and to meet increased claims by certain voluntary agencies for re- imbursement of local transportation expenses for distributing surplus food commodities; Special welfare services ($83,000) to provide more individual aid and vocational training in Resettlement Estates for the physically and mentally handicapped; Training of social welfare workers ($42,000) to enable more social workers to be trained to undertake various social welfare activities in the community centres; Group work ($37,000) to provide more club activities for children as well as adults; Fuel, light & power ($19,500) to meet current for new or additional departmental establishments; and travelling expenses ($15,000); and are practically all applicable to the general expansion in social welfare services.

Under Special Expenditure a sum of $19,000 is provided for books for new libraries at Tsan Yuk Centre and Tsuen Wan Social Centre.

HEAD 72 — STORES DEPARTMENT

Estimate 1960/61

$10,185,100

Revised estimate 1959/60

7,803,000

Approved estimate 1959/60

3,694,100

Actual expenditure 1958/59

Cr. 469,135

1959/60

1960/61

Difference

Permanent staff

Supernumerary staff

663

674

+ 11

3

2

1

10

Net increase

New posts

1 Senior Stores Officer

1 Assistant Stores Officer

4 Storekeepers

1 Treasury Accountant

1 Stores Attendant

1 Ganger (Semi-skilled staff)

Existing posts deleted

1 Executive Grade Officer

2 Screening Clerks

1 Stores Officer

4 Clerks

10 Coolies

21

1 Controller of Stores

1 Clerk/Typist

Supernumerary Staff

3 Storekeepers

11

The department has been reorganized following the move into the new Stores Building and the introduction of mechanized accounting. The new Treasury Accountant post is offset by the reduction of 1 post of Executive Grade Officer. To cope with increased activities, one post of Stores Officer has been upgraded to Senior Stores Officer, and one additional post of Assistant Stores Officer and 16 new minor posts have been provided. Mechanization has made it possible for 6 posts of Clerk to be abolished and it should be possible to effect a reduction of another 6 clerical posts on 1st October, 1960. These reductions are offset by the incorporation of 2 posts of screening clerk into the General Clerical establishment to facilitate recruitment and posting. The net increase in staff is 10 posts.

The increase in the revised estimate for 1959/60 is accounted for by the credit balance on the Unallocated Stores account being smaller than originally anticipated. The net reduction in the size of the Unallocated Stores stock has not been as large as was hoped for because of the continued expansion of Government activities. The credit balance of $1 million in this account in the 1960/61 Estimates reflects the trend in the gradual run-down of stocks of steel.

The main items under Special Expenditure are the provisions for furniture and for office equip- These subheads only cover the supply of replacements and of additional items for use in existing or new leased premises. Provisions for furniture and equipment for new buildings are included under Head 62.

ment.