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4. The First Committee meeting was held on the 7th May and continued thereafter at weekly intervals from June until November when fortnightly meetings were considered sufficient. In all 25 meetings were held.
5. Applications for relief were called for in June and the first payments out were approved at the meeting on the 24th
June.
SECTION 2:—FINANCE.
The total amount subscribed by the public and the Govern- inent was $3,733,840.76. The audited statement of receipts and expenditure of the Fund and of the assets and liabilities is shewn in Appendix A. It will be noted that grauts to the extent of $71,941.56 have been made.
2. Subscriptions from most of the larger firms have been very generous but, on the whole, the response has been dis- appointing. We would add that donations from the schools among which our posters were distributed have been most gratifying.
3. On the 18th November, the Committee was informed that the Government would cease to contribute dollar for dollar from the end of the year. This decision will make it extremely difficult to augment the Fund much further. It is also feared that it may give rise to the erroneous impression that sufficient money for our needs has already been collected.
4. A Flag Day was arranged for the 20th December and, on the previous evening, His Excellency the Governor broadcast an appeal for support. The amount collected was $27,444.15. The thanks of the Committee are due to the Flag Day Sub- Committee under the kind patronage of Lady Grantham and to the collectors for their assistance in securing such a valuable addition to the Fund.
5.
As will be seen from Appendix A, it was decided to invest $3,000,000 of the Fund in the Hong Kong Government 31% loan.
SECTION 3:-STAFF AND ACCOMMODATION.
Mr. I. M. Lightbody was appointed Secretary to the Com- mittee at the outset. In addition to this work, he continued his duties as Assistant Secretary for Chinese Affairs. to the increasing calls on his time when once applications began to come in, it was considered desirable to have additional staff
Owing
3
with its own office accommodation to assist him in his duties in connection with the Fund. Considerable difficulty was experienced in finding a suitable office but at last a room was secured in the old Urban Council Building in Statue Square. It is perhaps not altogether suitable, but it has proved of great use in our work.
2. The office was opened on the 1st October and the staff consists of an Assistant Secretary, a clerk and a messenger. The cost of the staff and of the office equipment is defrayed by Government and a vote of $1,500 per month approved for the purpose.
3. The Committee desires to place on record its appreciation of the work done by Mr. Lightbody as Secretary, particularly when he had no special staff and at the same time was per- forming his ordinary duties.
4. The thanks of the Committee are also due to Mr. Henry Wu of the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs for his assistance as clerk to Mr. Lightbody. He has now been seconded to our
office.
SECTION 4:-APPLICATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE.
As soon as subscriptions began to come in, the Committee called for applications for relief. Notices were issued in the Press and steps were taken with the aid of the District Officer to bring the objects of the Fund before the inhabitants of the New Territories.
2. Applicants for relief were required to fill in forms giving particulars in order that the Committee might be able to investigate cases. Grants were made in accordance with appli- cant's apparent needs. As we were unaware what calls would be made on us and what funds would be available, these grants were made for a period of six months, subject to review at the expiry thereof.
3. In addition to applications from local residents, we have received requests for assistance from persons now living in China, India, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa and the United States of America:
The China Association has very kindly assisted us by receiving and examining applications from persons resident in the United Kingdom.
4. Applications from residents of Hong Kong or Kowloon were naturally the easiest to deal with interviews could be arranged and the necessary inquiries made. When the person
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