The number of free meals cooked and distributed was 780,179 while dry rations totalled 930,745, making a daily average of 2,137 and 2,550 respectively.
105. In addition to the distribution of free meals and dry rations, the six welfare centres also distributed rice and flour donated by voluntary welfare organization. Total quantities of rice and flour distributed during the year were 390,090 and 95,840 pounds respectively.
106. 8,671 cases were referred from the six centres to Government clinics for free medical treatment. Apart from interviews at the centres, a total of around 4,000 home visits were paid to the applicants to investigate their circumstances.
107. Yet another duty of the Relief Section is to carry out the detailed casework necessary in all cases of attempted suicide which occur in the Colony. During the year sympathetic counsel and all possible assistance was given to 807 unsuccess- ful suicide cases. Most of these unhappy people were driven to desperation by poverty, which lies at the root of so many of the family disturbances in Hong Kong, as well as being the main cause of chronic ill-health. (See Appendix XII).
108. Those in financial difficulties were either given material assistance, or referred to voluntary welfare organizations for financial aid in the form of a loan or cash grant. Out of the 807 unsuccessful suicide cases, 324 were men, 483 women.
109. During the year the Relief Section continued to be responsible for the administration of North Point Relief Camp, and Morrison Hill Camp. North Point Camp is an odd mixture, and contains an assortment of people, many of whom ought not to be living together in the same institution. In fact, North Point Relief Camp contains many cases which, in a prosperous country such as the United Kingdom, where funds and services are plentiful, would be cared for in a number of different homes, each according to his or her particular needs. But in Hong Kong the facilities have not yet been developed, and for lack of anywhere more suitable these cases must be cared for by the Social Welfare Office at North Point Camp. This Camp serves as a transit centre for distressed British (and other European) subjects awaiting repatriation, many of these uprooted people having spent their whole lifetime in China before coming to
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