of the huge fires which occurred three or four years ago, it is necessary to call for additional help, and then it is the duty of every officer in the department to drop his or her normal duties, and concentrate on the speedy and effective registration of the victims of the disaster.
114. As in previous years, the British Red Cross Society, CARE, the various Kaifong Welfare Associations, together with many other voluntary welfare bodies, continued to render valuable assistance to the victims by distributing clothing, blankets, food parcels and cash donations, and on many occasions Kaifong Welfare Associations erected matsheds for the temporary accommodation of the homeless.
115.
one.
This year has, fortunately, been a comparatively quiet There were 42 emergencies recorded, but most of them were on a fairly small scale. The biggest disaster occurred on 23rd December, 1956 when a fire at Sheung Shui, New Terri- tories, burnt down 221 huts and rendered 1,666 persons home- less. In the tenement fire at Canton Road on 13th February, 1957, although only four houses were affected, 58 persons lost their lives, and 417 persons were registered for relief. Con- sidering the heavy loss of life, the Canton Road fire must be classed as one of the most serious disasters in recent years.
116. After each of the 42 emergencies immediate relief was brought to the victims, and in the course of the year 456,257 free meals and 90,132 shares of dry rations were issued to a total of 10,085 victims. (See Appendix XIV).
CHAPTER XII CARE OF THE PHYSICALLY AND
MENTALLY HANDICAPPED
117. In Hong Kong most of the work done on behalf of the physically handicapped groups such as the blind, deaf and dumb, the crippled, etc., is in the hands of religious and volun- tary organizations, some of which receive a Government sub- vention or annual grant, in recognition of their good work, and to further the development of their activities.
118. Until recently, care of the blind in Hong Kong was restricted to what was possible at the Ebenezer Home and the Honeyville Home, but in the past two years a great deal of progress has been made. Mrs. Ruby Ko Yen, an officer of the
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