1960-1961 — Page 18

on 1st April, 1960. The transfer followed recommendations of the Hong Kong Salaries Commission, 1959 to the effect that the practice of recruiting staff on daily rates, except for purely casual labour of short duration, be stopped.

STAFF WELFARE

73. The earned leave granted to officers during the year for a total staff of 602 amounted to:

3,320 days vacation leave

6,1991 days casual leave.

Total sick leave for the year for all kinds of sickness on full pay amounted to 2,190 days and a further 59 days no-pay leave was ap- proved. Maternity leave totalling 307 days was also granted.

74. The Railway Club, run purely on subscriptions from railway staff, continued to flourish. Up to 31st March, 1961 the Club had repaid a total of $33,843.50 to Government on the loan of $43,000.00.

75. Film Shows. Film Shows were run at the expense of the Club once a week throughout the year for members and their families and were always well attended.

76. Sports. During the year the Club entered a team in the miniature football competition organized by the Hong Kong Chinese Civil Servants' Association. A table tennis tournament was also held for members of the Club and was well supported.

77. Education. During the year under review, the Railway Club School continued to function successfully with a total enrolment of 280 in seven classes of 40 pupils each. There were no changes in the teaching staff whose enthusiasm contributed in no small measure to the success of the School. As in the past years, free tuition lessons after school hours were regularly given. The pupils' attendance was good with an average of 98.8%. In the Joint Primary 6 Examination, the record of 100% passes was maintained. All the eighteen candidates for the 1960 Joint Examination were awarded certificates with passes in all subjects while eight of them gained places in secondary schools allotted by Government.

78. The general health of the pupils showed quite an improvement. Sick leave taken was reduced by 13% compared with the record of the previous year. Vaccinations and inoculations against epidemic diseases were regularly given to the pupils by arrangement with the Government Medical Department.

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