WELFARE
141. The departmental Sports and Welfare Association had one of its most active years in recent history. One of the more notable events was a swimming gala at the Kowloon Tsai Swimming Pool in which kaifong associations in the estates and cottage areas also took part. The Association hired a bathing shed at Lido Beach from the Urban Services Department and also arranged two launch picnics to Picnic Bay and Junk Bay.
142. The Morrison Scholarship Fund, named after a former Com- missioner for Resettlement, gave grants of $50 each to fifteen children of minor staff towards the cost of their school fees.
143. The Barty Welfare Fund, established in 1968 in honour of Mr. D. C. BARTY, C.B.E., the previous Commissioner for Resettlement, was put to use during the year. The fund is administered by the Loan Scheme Sub-Committee of the Sports and Welfare Association and provides interest-free loans to minor staff in genuine need of financial assistance. During the year, eighty-nine applications totalling $17,030 were approved.
144. The Staff Welfare Committee, under the Chairmanship of an Assistant Commissioner, and comprising representatives from each grade or group of grades in the department, met at quarterly intervals to discuss matters relating to conditions of service, uniforms, working equipment etc.
145. There were ten deaths amongst the junior staff during the year and their dependants received a total sum of $29,620 from the Pak Kam Wui or Funeral Scheme.
146. A departmental Welfare Officer was appointed for the first time on 16th December, 1968 mainly to assist members of the minor staff with their personal problems.
STAFF QUARTERS
147. Departmental quarters, consisting of either single or two bedroom flats or cottages, are provided for certain grades of married and single departmental staff. During the year 38 new quarters were completed at Tsz Wan Shan and at 31st March the total number of quarters was 335. All quarters are situated in or near estates or cottage areas.
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