Hongkong Typhoon Relief Fund.
New Territories.
109
On the 8th October $2,500 were placed at the disposal of Mr. Messer and Mr. Orme to spend in immediate relief in the New Territories. Mr. Messer's report on the relief called for in the New Territories was laid before the General Committee in the middle of December and a further sum of $10,900 was voted.
The relief given may be divided into five parts:-
(1). Relief to Pengchau.
Pengchau is a small Island at the top of Mirs Bay and the inhabitants depend entirely upon fishing for their livelihood. All their boats were destroyed in the typhoon and a grant of $1,000 was made to enable the boats to be replaced. Immediate distress was relieved by distribution of rice.
(2). Repair of embankments and compensation for loss of crops.
The value of the crops lost was assessed by Mr. Messer at $30,700 but in this assessment large areas where there was no necessity for relief, were left out of account. The damage to embankments was assessed by the Public Works Department at $12,900, but this assessment did not include many miles of low embankment made of earth and strengthened with a facing of stones. Relief was granted only where the cultivators were very poor.
(3). Small grants to relieve immediate distress.
This calls for no comment.
(4). Grants to women who had lost their relatives in the typhoon.
(5). Grants to repair damaged houses.
These