Social_Welfare_Annual_Report_1962-1963 — Page 19

deal with family disputes and with inquiries and investigations into prospective marriages for the Armed Services authorities and the Marriage Registry, when called upon to do so (See Appendix 10).

45. Since April 1962, officers of the Section have joined members of the Police Force in visiting dance halls during the evenings, with the object of locating any female employees suspected to be under fifteen, the present legal age of employment in these establishments, or older girls who show an interest in being helped to change their way of life; despite intensive efforts, it must be admitted that the success factor is relatively low.

46. The Vocational Training Centre at Wong Tai Sin Resettlement Estate was transferred to more spacious accommodation in Tung Tau Resettlement Estate in March 1963. The objective of the staff at this Centre is to restore these women and girls to economic and psycho- logical independence; more than 130 girls were given instruction in tailoring, knitting, embroidery and laundering during the year. 71 girls secured employment after training, 143 other girls in the care of the Department found work in factories, households, offices or shops, and in addition, 75 girls in care were married during the year (See Appendix 10).

47. Close liaison is maintained with two voluntary institutions, Pelletier Hall and the Po Leung Kuk, and one private home, the Agnes Maternity Home. Pelletier Hall is a home run by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd who have similar homes in other parts of the world; residential care and domestic and vocational training are provided for up to 160 girls mostly between the ages of fourteen and eighteen, who have agreed to enter the Home to learn a better way of life (See Appendix 11). Admission to the Home is normally on the recommenda- tion of the Department. The Po Leung Kuk, besides its work for children which is referred to in paragraph 36, provided for sixteen unmarried mothers and their children, while four others who required special care were looked after at the Agnes Maternity Home.

48. The Special Welfare Services Section of the Department inter- viewed nearly 2,662 women and children leaving Hong Kong by ship in accordance with the requirements of the Asiatic Emigration Ordinance, the purpose of which is mainly to prevent trafficking in women and children (See Appendix 12).

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