commitments increased somewhat during the year. The average daily number of dry rations issued rose by 356 to 7,400, but there was some decrease in the number of cooked meals issued, the average daily number dropping from 3,511 to 3,244; one dry ration is the equivalent of two cooked meals, so that the decreased demand for the latter offset to some extent the increase in the former. The increase was due to two main factors. First, the improvement and expansion in the Department's programmes in respect of handicapped persons resulted in more such persons coming forward for assistance. In some of these cases, material assistance is an essential prelude to training and rehabilitation but in many others, the disabilities are such as to rule out all hope of even partial economic independence; for those in this latter category, the provision of relief must be accepted as a commitment as long as they have no means of support, through relatives or otherwise. Indeed, recipients of dry rations consist largely of people suffering from dis- abilities of one sort or another, such as the blind, the aged, cured lepers and those widowed with large numbers of dependent children. Second, there was a sharp, but it is hoped temporary, increase in the number of people in the New Territories seeking assistance. This arose from a curtailment of voluntary effort in that area and required the diversion of caseworkers to a part-time centre at Tsuen Wan to cope with the situation; but plans were under way by the close of the year for a return to a more normal state of affairs.
58. While the provision of relief food remained a major function of the Relief Section, constructive efforts to assist people in other ways. played an increasingly important rôle. These efforts took a variety of forms, ranging from advice on how to overcome difficulties that had led to destitution to assistance in securing employment, training, housing, rehabilitation, etc. Increased numbers of people were referred for medical attention, found employment or were resettled on compassionate grounds. (For details see Appendix 15.)
59. The Tsuen Wan Centre which was opened in June in the Com- munity Centre building is the seventh welfare centre to which people can go for various types of assistance. In addition, the Relief Section operates two kitchens, one on each side of the harbour, capable of turning out thousands of cooked meals at short notice, and is responsible for the administration of a relief camp at North Point. The camp provides temporary shelter for aged destitutes, the physically handicap-
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