part in the invitation 400-meter relay races at the annual sports day of the Civil Aid Services, the Public Works Department and the Fire Services Department.
110. The Morrison Scholarship Fund, named after a former Com- missioner for Resettlement, gave grants of $50 each to twenty children of the minor staff to meet the cost of their school fees.
111. The Barty Welfare Fund, established in 1968 in honour of Mr. D. C. BARTY, C.B.E., a former Commissioner for Resettlement, was used to advantage during the year. The fund, which is administered by the Loan Scheme Sub-committee of the Sports and Welfare Associa- tion, provides interest-free loans to minor staff in need of financial assistance. During the year, 202 applications totalling $28,600 were approved.
112.
The Staff Consultative Committee, under the Chairmanship of an Assistant Commissioner and comprising representatives from each grade or group of grades, met at quarterly intervals to discuss matters relating to conditions of service, uniforms, working equipment, etc.
113. There were 15 deaths amongst the junior staff during the year and their dependants received a total sum of $47,249 from the Pak Kam Wui or Funeral Scheme.
114. The Departmental Welfare Officer runs a counselling service for junior staff and some 243 members of the department made use of this service during the year. Apart from this, he also visits members of the staff who are in hospital.
115. During the year, the newly-appointed Welfare Officers in the Agriculture and Fisheries Department and the Marine Department were attached separately to the department for 2 weeks' training.
STAFF QUARTERS
116. Departmental quarters, consisting of either single or two or three bedroom flats or cottages, are provided for certain grades of married and single departmental staff. All quarters are situated in or near estates or cottage areas and at 31st March the total number of quarters was 496. As a result of the introduction of the Estate Caretaker system in the Estates and Areas Division, 92 domestic rooms were set aside as Caretakers' quarters during the year.
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