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Children's Food.
Mrs. Selby was of great assistance in finding out the different kinds of milk foods needed by the babies and small children, and with the help of Mrs. Cheetham of Shanghai, a trained dietician, drew up a suitable diet for them.
Jewish Hostel.
Mrs. Raymond who visited the Jewish Refugees at the Jockey Club Centre on 22nd August decided that it would be better if some were moved to a Centre of their own.
A house was found on Upper Castle Road and the Jewish Hostel was opened. The Ladies Welfare Committee gave Mrs. Raymond money to buy bedding and certain necessities, but after that the Jewish Hostel supported itself on the ordinary billeting grant allowed to Refugees.
Transport.
The Hong Kong Tramways Co. through Mr. L. C. F. Bellamy very kindly gave free passes on the trams to refugees and one day put a tram at their disposal to take them round the city to see the sights. Messrs. Wallace Harper & Co. were extremely kind in placing a car and a chauffeur at the disposal of the Centre. Many private individuals lent their cars and took parties of children to the beaches, and a car bureau was run by Mrs. Frederick and Mrs. Dyer assisted by Mrs. Tinson.
Entertainment.
The Petty Officers and Men of H.M.S. Osiris, H.M.S. Orpheus and H.M.S. Proteus were extremely kind in getting up dances and entertainments for the refugees. H.M.S. Rover also organized a dance and most generously raised $252 in aid of the refugees. The Filmo Studio kindly gave short shows for the children every afternoon for a week. The Lady Cake Shop kindly donated 200 small cakes. Mr. Stafford-Smith generously came forward with a gift of 3.000 cigarettes. "Lizzie" from Tester's Beauty Parlour kindly spent a Sunday cutting the children's hair.
Closing of Jockey Club Centre.
The refugees were moved over to the Laichikok Centre on 9th and 10th September and the Jockey Club Centre was closed down.
Central British School Refugee Centre.
This Centre was opened on 22nd August for 350 refugees, though the maximum at any one time never exceeded 150. The great majority were British women and children. Mrs. D. M. Richards was asked by Mrs. North to take charge of the Welfare work, with a Matron and a Nursing Sister to assist. Of many other voluntary helpers the following were outstanding:-Mrs. Crozier, Miss Curtin, Mrs. Cooper, Mrs. Ingram, Mrs. Clarke, Mrs. Cole. Mrs. Tong. The various activities, linen, stores, meals, diets, help with children, etc.. were divided into two shifts, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. The Kowloon residents gave generous assist- ance in the way of clothing, toys, books, wireless sets, etc.. and many picnics were arranged. The catering was supervised by Mrs. Fletcher and Mrs. Cooper (Domestic Science mistress at the School). Klim was provided daily, also fresh fruit to all children under 15. The Kowloon Boy Scouts and Girl Guides as well as the senior pupils of the School were very helpful, as also were the local members of Toc II.
On 20th September, as the School was needed by the Education Department this Centre was moved to the premises formerly used as a British School but now vacated, and continued on the same lines until it closed down on 15th January.
Laichikok Refugee Centre.
As stated above the refugees from the Jockey Club Centre moved to Laichikok on 9th and 10th September. As this was more inaccessible it was decided that the
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Welfare Bureau should be run by members of the Committee helped by Mrs. Maughan, Mrs. Grigor, Mrs. Prior, Mrs. Calthrop and Mrs. Norman. Mrs. Colter of Shanghai was engaged to be at the Bureau from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. (Sundays excepted) at a salary of $50.00 a month and transport. When she returned to Shanghai her place was taken on the same terms by Miss Walker, a refugee from the Central British School Centre. Miss Walker returned to Shanghai on 10th December
and it was decided that her place need not be filled as all refugees were shortly expected to return.
A large amount of clothing was received from the foreign community in Foochow, which was greatly appreciated as stocks were running low and colder weather approaching. As time went on this became a pressing problem. Broadcast appeals brought in some warm things but not enough, and scarcely anything for the boys and girls. It was therefore decided to buy what was still necessary. A total sum of $566.78 was spent in providing inexpensive knitting wool, jerseys and cardigans, shorts and skirts and thick overcoats for the journey to Shanghai. Messrs. Whiteway, Laidlaw & Co. supplied these coats at half price, a generous offer for which the Committee was very grateful.
The maximum number of refugees accommodated at this Centre was 477.
Education,
With the long stay of the refugees in the Colony the education of the children became a problem. Mr. Pardoe with the assistance of some Shanghai teachers had opened a school in Kowloon Union Church for Refugee children, and on being approached he agreed to include the children at Laichikok. It was decided that a school under Miss Aliston should be opened in Laichikok for children up to 8 years of age, and that the rest should travel into Kowloon daily. Mr. Pardoe found it was impossible to accommodate all the children in the Union Church Hall and was fortunate in securing from Government the use of the old Kowloon Magistracy, which proved a very suitable building for a school. Part of the bottom floor of Block 6 at Laichikok was turned into a school room. The Committee bought stools and had tables made and got the very simple equipment for which Miss Aliston asked. The school proved most successful, and continued to run till these teachers returned to Shanghai. After a short time the schools were reopened under Mrs. Lambert, who got a staff of teachers together, and the schools con- tinued to run until 17th December when they closed down. Mrs. Mitchell taught the kindergarten at Laichikok.
A physical drill class for boys and girls was most efficiently run by Mr. Powis, who kindly came out every day, and a very enjoyable display was given by his class at the Benefit Dance for the children of the late Mrs. Stuart Xavier.
H.M.S. Parthian very kindly arranged a dance on 9th October to which many of the refugees were asked and the $375 raised was most generously given to the Ladies Welfare Committee to buy rattan tables and chairs to furnish a Recreation Room, and chairs for the dormitories.
A Benefit Dance for the seven children of the late Mrs. Stuart Xavier was held on 10th November. Kay Lee, the Army Contractor who was caterer at Lai- chikok and Central British School Centres, generously provided the refreshments and the China Fleet Club lent the hall. $497.13 was realized and this was sent to Mr. Haines of Shanghai to be used for the education of the Xavier children.
The Laichikok Welfare Bureau closed on 23rd December as it was understood that the refugees would be leaving during the Christmas holidays.
Relief Funds.
A list of persons without means at the Jockey Club Centre was obtained from Mr. Carrie on 31st August. Mrs. Dicken, Mrs. Gerrard and Mrs. Wolf assisted by
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