Social and Welfare
139. The annual Departmental dinner took place at the Luk Kwok Restaurant on 20th April 1961, and was attended by 142 officers and a sprinkling of wives, all of whom after indulging in mahjong, Russian poker and sundry other games, thoroughly enjoyed the excellent chow and absence of speeches. Other social functions included a film show on 26th May 1961 in the Department library, and the annual launch picnic to Clear Water Bay on 29th July 1961, in which altogether 178 people-members of staff, families and freinds-took part. In addition, the legal officers, Assistant Registrars and Executive Officers met for lunch together every three or four months.
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140. The Department has a Charitable and Benevolent Fund supported by voluntary contributions from members of the staff of the rank of Class I clerk and above. Contributions during the year amounted to $389 and other income brought the total receipts to $482.50. $234 was spent on games for the library and $198,50 on books and magazines. Other payments brought the total payments to $479, which left $595.25 on hand at the end of the year.
141. In December several new recreational facilities were provided in the library by the Charitable and Benevolent Fund. These included a mahjong set and table, a darts board, Chinese chess, and playing cards, and it was distinctly gratifying to see how well these facilities were received by the junior staff, to whom they have undoubtedly been a great boon. The library was already equipped with a wireless set and gramophone, and on most days one was greeted with the cheerful sound of music, classical or modern, on return from lunch.
142. The Department's lending library was greatly augmented by a judicious purchase of books at an auction sale, and there are now over 220 books of all descriptions available for those of the staff who are interested in reading. During the year Mr. WAI Ka-lai, the Department's star photographer gave another exhibition of his work, which aroused much interest.
Acknowledgments
143. Business conditions and building activity are directly reflected in the volume of work pouring into the Department. Since therefore business conditions were good and the building industry positively booming, new records were set up in the Companies, Trade Marks and Patents Registries and in the Land Office. Under boom conditions the
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