65. Many of the larger concerns in the Colony provide accommoda- tion for their workers; among the more prominent of such housing schemes are those of the Taikoo Dockyard and Engineering Company of Hong Kong Ltd., in association with the Taikoo Sugar Refining Company Ltd., which pioneered workers' housing projects in Hong Kong over fifty years ago; the Hong Kong Tramways Ltd.; the China Motor Bus Company Ltd.; the Hong Kong Electric Company Ltd.; the Hong Kong Telephone Company Ltd.; the 'Star' Ferry Company Ltd.; and the Hong Kong Spinners Ltd. In addition, all these companies provide welfare centres attached to the housing provided. A number of firms offer accommodation of the dormitory type, and, in such cases, canteens are generally provided which serve free or subsidized meals. In eleven cases, dormitory accommodation is provided free of charge. During the year the Nan Yang Cotton Mill Ltd. provided accommo- dation for its work force at Kwun Tong, numbering 1,800. Several concerns which cannot afford to erect their own accommodation either rent or buy tenement buildings for this purpose.
66. Some undertakings organize picnic excursions for their workers in the summer and walks in the country in the winter. Welfare facilities frequently include cinema shows, Cantonese opera, table tennis, libraries, sports grounds for football and basketball games, and, in a few in- stances, swimming pools. In some cases free or subsidized schooling for workers' children and free classes for adults are arranged. During the year several firms took advantage of the Workers' Programme organized by Radio Hong Kong. Many firms now have a welfare officer or a welfare department. Some voluntary organizations cater for the welfare of industrial workers by providing hostels and playgrounds.
67. Arrangements for the welfare of seamen visiting Hong Kong are co-ordinated by the Port Welfare Committee, on which there is a representative of each of the major voluntary seamen's welfare organiza- tions and of the Social Welfare and other interested Government depart- ments. The Committee divided the funds collected by the annual appeal amounting to nearly $85,000 and the Government subvention of $90,000 between four societies and clubs: the Sailors' Home and Missions to Seamen, the Norwegian Seamen's Mission, the Apostleship of the Sea, and the Merchant Navy Club.
68. The staff of the Missions to Seamen made 2,193 visits to ships and distributed books and magazines. The daily average number of officers and seamen using the Mission's accommodation on Hong Kong Island was 86, as compared with 80 for last year. 20 visits were paid
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