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The Committee now consists of the following:-
His Honour Mr. Justice E. H. Williams, Chairmg Hon. A. Morse, C.B.E.,
Dr. the Hon. S. N. Chau,
Mr. Ngan Shing Kwan,
Rev. George She, M.A.
Mr. T'so Tsun On,
Miss Shin Tak Hing,
Miss Alice Kwok,
Mr. J. H. Ruttonjee, C.B.E.,
Mr. E. C. Fincher,
Dr. A. M. Rodrigues, M.B.E.,
Mr. J. C. McDouall,
Mr. F. P. Franklin,
Mr. D. H. Blake.
3. Meetings of the Committee were held fortnightly throughout most of the year on the first and third Tuesday of the month. As the number of new applications for relief steadily diminished, and as the work of administration became more simplified, it was decided in September that one meeting a month would suffice. Altogether 23 meetings were held during the year and urgent matters were dealt with by circula- tion to members.
4. New applications are now few. When one is received careful investigation is made by the Committee's staff of the circumstances of applicant, of the particulars submitted and of his or her eligibility to receive help under the Ordinance. This information is then passed to one of a number of sub-Committees whose opinions and recommendations are laid before a meeting of the Committee when a final decision is reached.
5. Allowances to approved cases are usually made subject to revision at six monthly periods, before the expiration of which the beneficiaries, if resident here, are interviewed, with the object of recommending to the Committee either continuance without change or alteration in view of changed circumstances. The Committee then discusses and decides.
SECTION 2: FINANCE.
The balance of the Fund at 31st December, 1948 was $3,503,428.17. The audited statement of receipts and payments to that date is shown in Appendix "A”.
2. The First Schedule includes those who were members of various Volunteer, Military and Civil Defence Services. The Second Schedule includes those who suffered at the hands of Japanese during the enemy occupation of Hong Kong.
3. Grants and allowances to beneficiaries amounted to $245,633.00; it will be noted that this represents almost double the Fund's income from all sources during 1948.
4. Since Government withdrew its dollar for dollar contribution to the Fund there has been a serious falling off in subscriptions from the public-$28,816.30 for the whole year.
The obvious loss of public interest in the Fund's objectives is understandable memories of the War grow dimmer and fresh calls for relief in other directions are made. It is, however, regretted that such a deserving cause does not receive greater support.
5.
The Committee was disappointed in failing to secure a Flag Day for 1949 with the consequent loss of revenue from collections.
6. The income from the Fund's investment referred to in Appendix "A" is $94,500.00.
SECTION 3: STAFF & ACCOMMODATION,
Mr. I. M. Lightbody of the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs continues to be the Committee's Secretary and supervises the working of the staff consisting of one European Assistant and one senior Chinese clerk seconded from the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs. One Chinese messenger completes the office personnel, the cost of which, together with equipment, supplies and maintenance, is covered by a Government vote.
2. The office is situated in the old Urban Council Building, Statue Square, a site which has proved most convenient both from the standpoint of administration and payment to recipients.
3. From the month of July, the cheque system of dis- bursement was abandoned in favour of cash payments to beneficiaries and this has proved a welcome change for them and a saving in time and labour. Payments are made on the first Monday of every month upon approved schedules supplied by the Honorary Treasurers.
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