ENG-1967 — Page 198

SOCIAL WELFARE

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No severe natural disaster occurred during the year. There were, however, 39 fires, 96 closure orders against houses in danger of collapse, three shipwrecks, etc, as a result of which a total of 11,972 people registered for assistance. Payments from the Com- munity Relief Trust Fund amounted to $271,109.30.

The Legal Aid Ordinance (Chapter 91) became law in 1966 and the department became responsible for the investigation of the means of applicants to enable the Director of Legal Aid to decide on the grant of free or assisted aid. Up to the end of 1967, 1,103 cases had been investigated.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

There are four community centres in resettlement estates, one social centre in the crowded district of Sai Ying Pun, and another in Sheung Shui in the New Territories. They provide facilities which include day nurseries, libraries, vocational training and clubs for all age groups, and also a casework service. Workers in these centres are constantly attempting to improve their contacts with the community with a view to stimulating community awareness through mutual co-operation. At the same time, they are encouraging and developing voluntary leadership.

A survey of the needs of the people of Chai Wan area has been completed and consideration will be given to the report when designing the new community centre there. Construction is expected to begin in 1968. The same year should also see the beginning of the building of the Yuen Long Community Centre which is made possible through a donation from the Lotteries Fund.

TRAINING AND RESEARCH

A total of 26 completed courses in social work at the two univer- sities during the year. In the 1967-8 academic year, the University of Hong Kong created a new Faculty of Social Science and dispensed with the two-year certificate course. In its place, there is a three- year Honours course leading to a degree in Bachelor of Social Science. The post-graduate one-year diploma course in Social Science is, however, being retained. Hongkong and Shanghai Bank Corporating Scholarships have been granted to 10 students for both universities and 36 have been granted government bursaries.