Resettlement_Department_Annual_Report_1971-1972 — Page 47

DEPARTMENTAL TRAINING

117. The Training Unit, which is located at San Po Kong Govern- ment Offices, 3rd floor, 692, Prince Edward Road, San Po Kong, Kowloon, has 4 lecture-cum-conference rooms, a small library, and 4 offices for the training staff.

118. The sixth Senior Officers' Course, attended on a two-days-a- week release basis by 25 senior Resettlement Assistants, commenced in May and ended in September. This course was designed to provide the officers with a good grounding in the responsibilities they would have if promoted to the Assistant Resettlement Officer grade.

119. Classes attended by a total of 91 newly recruited Student Resettlement Assistants began in March, June, July, November and December. Seven further classes with a total of 88 Student Resettlement Assistants provided 2nd year training. These courses provide a thorough grounding in the duties of the grade and explain the various department procedures.

WELFARE

120. The departmental Sports and Welfare Association had another active year. The Association arranged launch picnics to Kau Sai and Ma Wan Island, which were well attended. Two tug-of-war competitions were held in April 1971 and February 1972 for the Paul Tsui Trophy and Squatter Control (Hong Kong) emerged as the winner on each occasion. Having won the trophy twice they will now retain it per- manently. Friendly football matches were arranged with General Post Office and Colonial Secretariat teams.

121. The Morrison Scholarship Fund, named after a former Com- missioner for Resettlement, gave grants of $50 each to twenty children of the minor staff to meet the cost of their school fees.

122. The Barty Welfare Fund, established in 1968, in honour of Mr. D. C. BARTY, C.B.E., a former Commissioner for Resettlement, was used to advantage during the year. The fund, which is administered by the loan Scheme Sub-Committee of the Sports and Welfare Association, provides interest-free loans to minor staff in need of financial assistance. During the year, 156 applications totalling $27,750 were approved.

123. Commencing in 1971, Government releases funds annunally for the Welfare and Relief of Government Officers Fund, at $5 per head on the basis of staff strength to each department in January of each year.

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