while one Foreman Rank I proceeded to undertake a similar course at the Polytechnic in Central London.
9.118
Twenty-four Engineering Graduates of the University of Hong Kong, employed under agreement in accordance with the Regulations of the Institution of Civil Engineers, were rotated amongst the various Divisions of the Office for practical training.
9.119
Facilities were also provided to train the newly recruited Foremen Rank III in the Works Divisions.
9.120 Members of staff were sent to various training courses such as Written Communication Course for P.W.D. Staff, Administrative Development Course, Industrial Safety Course, I.C.L. Computer Financial Modelling Course and I.C.L. Computer Programming Course.
Welfare
9.121 Quarterly meetings of the Joint Staff Discussion Groups continued between representatives of the management and the staff of the Office at divisional level. Problems relating to working conditions, allowances, and welfare of the lower grade staff were discussed and management policies were explained at these meetings.
9.122
Recreational outings to Lamma Island for staff of this Office and their families were organised in March 1975. A total of over 2,000 persons took part.
9.123 From May to December 1974, arrangement for direct purchase of rice from importers for resale to staff on a non-profit basis was organised. The participants in this scheme were about 400 persons each month and the total quantity of rice sold during this period was over 60,000 catties (36.29 tonnes).
9.124
Christmas parties were held on both sides of the Harbour for members of the Office and the functions proved highly successful.
Sports
9.125 Staff of this Office continued to support enthusiastically the two annual sports events organised by the Department. In the 7th P.W.D. Sports Day, the Office took first place in lawn tennis, second place in squash and ten-pin bowls and third place in badminton, hockey, sailing and volley ball. Mr. P.T. Roberts came first both in 800-m and 1,500-m races with record-breaking time.
9.126
In the 6th P.W.D. Swimming Gala honours won included first places in 50-m freestyle, 50-m back-stroke, 100-m back-stroke and second place in 100-m freestyle.
9.127 The 7-a-side mini-football league for the Stead Challenge Trophy was held as a joint function with the Civil Engineering Office, 6 Divisions of the Office taking part. For a second time in the series, Highways (New Territories) Division won the Trophy.
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