for the general welfare and benefit of police officers. The Fund's income is derived from disciplinary fines or forfeits imposed on police officers, the hire of police services and voluntary donations and contributions.
183. Out of a total of 574 applications for loans received and proc- essed during the year, 480 were approved, 27 were pending at the end of the year, 66 were refused and one was withdrawn. Each loan applica- tion is treated on its merits; and loans are made in respect of such matters as maternity expenses, marriage, house removal, funeral ex- penses, medical expenses, schooling, house repair, purchase of furniture, purchase of clothing and Chinese New Year expenses.
184. Dependants of 18 serving members and pensioners of the Rank and File who died during the year were provided with grants to cover funeral expenses. Funeral expenses in respect of 10 police officers killed during the disturbances were borne by the Government. The widows of 13 police officers each received a death gratuity of $3,000, and a similar sum was given to the parents of seven unmarried officers who died during the year. 64 officers received hospital allowance of $5 per day to help defray the expenses incurred by members of their families visiting them in hospital.
POLICE SAVINGS SCHEME
185. This scheme enables the Rank and File to make regular monthly savings from their salary. The savings, which may be any multiple of $5, are deducted at source and entrusted to a savings bank which allows a rate of interest of 4% per annum.
186. The total savings at 31st March, 1968, amounted to $1,734,454.80. Deposits during 1967-68 amounted to $257,520.00 and withdrawals to $146,295.40. On 31st March, 1968, contributors to the scheme numbered 1.782.
POLICE SCHOOLS
187. There are seven police primary schools providing primary education for 1,989 police children.
188. The Police Children's Education Trust to which reference was made in paragraph 14 took over all scholarships formerly made from the Police Force Welfare Fund and in addition awarded 125 bursaries to police children who entered secondary school in September 1967.
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