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47. It was originally intended to transfer all the refugees to Lai Chi Kok both from Happy Valley and from the new Central British School, which would shortly be required for its proper use as a school, but it was found that this would result in some slight overcrowding and at the last minute the transfer of those in the new Central British School was cancelled.
48. Lai Chi Kok had a not very enviable reputation as the neighbourhood is somewhat malarious. A considerable sum was therefore spent on screening the sheds against mosquitoes. The transfer was eventually made on the 9th and 10th September and the climate of Hong Kong again dealt us a nasty blow. While on the first days at Happy Valley we had continual torrential rain, for the first days at Lai Chi Kok we had days of blazing sunshine and Lai Chi Kok with its con- siderable cement pathways had no cover from the glare. Considerable difficulty was therefore experienced in inducing the refugees to take precautions against the malarial mosquito. The weather was exceedingly hot and many of them slept in the open rather than endure the heat behind the screened windows.
It was inevitable therefore that cases of malaria eventually arose.
49. The transfer to Lai Chi Kok where the accommodation was undoubtedly not so lavish nor so comfortable as at Happy Valley resulted in many leaving the Centre and finding their own accommodation. This was not unexpected and was a clear indication that some could have done so earlier if they had wished and if they had not found conditions quite favourable at Happy Valley. The number transferred to Lai Chi Kok was 477 but eight days later it had fallen to 367.
50. The decision not to transfer the refugees at the new Central British School was sound. They were all of a type that will most likely eventually meet their obliga- tions to H.M.'s Government and it was not unreasonable therefore to continue to provide them with somewhat better accommodation.
51. The School, however, also had to be vacated as the school holidays ended on 13th September. Alternative accommodation was found in the buildings that formerly housed the School in Kowloon and which had been vacated since the splendid new school was built and opened in the previous year. The old Central British School provided suitable and adequate accommodation for the number required which was under 100, and the cost of adapting it was not great. The move from the new to the old Central British School was carried out on the 21st September and the new Central British School was reopened as a school again on 27th September, a fortnight late.
52. The Jockey Club premises were vacated on Friday, 10th September, and the work of reconditioning them was immediately started. The cost was not great, and the premises were reinstated to the complete satisfaction of the Stewards in time for the resumption of racing on 25th September. The thanks of Government are due to the Hong Kong Jockey Club for placing their premises at the disposal of the Refugees Committee free of charge for the period that they were required.
(B) Medical.
53. A clinic was at first opened at Happy Valley in connexion with the inoculation against cholera. Considerable sickness, however, prevailed among the refugees on arrival; several were sent to the Government Hospitals and some remained in hospital throughout their stay in Hong Kong. The Government hospitals were soon full and several of the refugees were sent temporarily to the War Memorial Hospital and to the Matilda Hospital. Later several cases of chronic illness, including two of advanced tuberculosis, were housed in the hospital of the Convent of the Precious Blood where they were kindly admitted at reduced charges. There were three deaths among the refugees on account of illness and one from a motor accident. The work of the clinic was continuous both at Happy Valley and at Lai Chi Kok. It is some indication of the work done that 4,839 persons were treated at the clinic. During the first ten days 718 inoculations were performed and 381 persons treated for minor ailments and injuries.