on the one hand seeking to obtain possession of the aircraft and assets, and the Peking Government on the other strongly asserting its claim to the same property. In this dispute the attitude of the Hong Kong Government remained one of non- interference with a matter which was one for the Law Courts to decide.
The traditional friendly relations with Macao prevailed throughout the year. Macao was faced with many of the same problems which have confronted Hong Kong. During the year the Governor of Hong Kong visited Macao, and the Governor of Macao visited Hong Kong, and mutual problems were discussed. Liaison and exchange of informa- tion on matters of mutual concern is maintained, and on the Police level the Commissioners of Police of the two places have co-operated closely.
Re-inforcement of the Garrison
The welcome arrival of reinforcements for the garrison during the summer, which brought the army strength up to a division plus a brigade and increased the strength of the naval and air forces, affected the Colony in a number of ways. There was naturally a considerable increase in confidence in the colony generally, but inevitably there were difficulties in fitting the new arrivals into an already crowded territory with limited vacant land for expansion. Most of the additional units were accommodated on the mainland and temporary camps were erected by the Army pending the construction of more suitable accommodation. It became necessary to requisition private land and buildings and to make available crown land and government buildings to suit such varied requirements as barracks, hospitals, workshops, stores, artillery ranges and airstrips. Every effort was made to cause the minimum of dislocation to the normal life of the colony and to minimise the difficulties of property owners, most of whom appreciated the importance and urgency of the matter
matter and were most co-operative. The Service authorities also leased accommodation of various kinds and new construction, especially of unit accommodation, pro- ceeded with all possible speed.
The process of reinforcement was carried out rapidly and after the manner of a military operation. As a result the arrangements for the accommodation of the reinforcing units necessarily fell below the standard usual for garrison troops. Many units were throughout the year under canvas or in hurriedly improvised quarters and at the end of the year much remained to be done in providing adequate accom- modation and recreational facilities. The civilian community's main contribution in the latter field was the establishment of two large clubs in the urban area-the Nine Dragons Club
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