class lasting an hour and a half. Lecturers are provided by Education Department.
39. Officers of the rank of Sub Officer and above are encouraged to study for the Diploma of the Institute of Fire Engineers.
40. In addition to the local training courses Government has also given approval for selected officers to undergo training in the United Kingdom. The duration of this course will be from five to six months and will include a short course on fire prevention in the Fire Service College and one to two months attachment to Fire Stations. This course is considered essential as the Sub Officers of this department are recruited and trained locally. Two officers were sent for training under this scheme in the year 1959.
WELFARE
41. The Fire Brigade Welfare Fund, receipts to which were princi- pally derived from charges for services to the public, such as duties performed at matshed theatres, etc., was well maintained. Disburse- ments for various purposes connected with the welfare of the members of the Brigade amounted to $32,170.00, and the excess of income over expenditure was $20,362.80. $40,097.34 was brought forward from the previous year and the total sum deposited in the Treasury at 31st March, 1960 was $42,670.14. The value of local investments was $13,120.00. A statement of receipts and payments covering the trans- actions of the funds for the period 1st April, 1959 to 31st March, 1960, as audited by the Director of Audit, is shown as Appendix IV.
42. One of the Station Officers acts as departmental Welfare Officer and his duties are to give constant attention to the welfare activities of the Brigade.
43. The canteens established at Central Fire Station and Kowloon Fire Station were patronised during the year. The mobile canteen attended at fires of a serious nature and provided light refreshments for the fire-fighting personnel engaged. The refreshments consumed on such occasions are charged to the Fire Brigade Welfare Fund.
44. A Station Officer acts as Sports Officer of the Brigade. Friendly miniature football. basketball and Volley ball matches were played between stations and with other Sports Clubs in the Colony, and members showed a great interest in these games.
45. The annual swimming gala of the Hong Kong Fire Brigade was held at the Victoria Swimming Pool, Victoria Park, Causeway Bay on
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