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were Chinese and Portuguese, but there was no discrimination, and the popula- tion of Macao swelled, it is estimated, to about 600,000, In course of time numbers of these drifted into Free China, but at the end of the Japanese hostilities in the Far East, there were at least half a million inhabitants in a city where there was accommodation for only one-half that number.
The most serious feature, however, was that connected with food supply, and residents of Macao still remember the harrowing scenes that were the direct consequence of the Japanese co- prosperity programme in this area. The Macho Government did everything possible to provide relief, and worked wonders with the meagre resources which were available.
In the political sphere, every Allied power with interests in this area had agents in Macao, and this little Portu- guese possession became an important listening post for their military ser- vices. Numbers of Allied personnel used Macao as their escape route to Free China, while several American aviators were carried to safely from Macao.
EXCITING MOMENTS Macao experienced, a number of ex- citing moments during the war years. The Japanese with their Korean and Formosan henchmen, not to speak of some others, took the fullest advantage of every opportunity, and on several occasions there were threats of the direst kind, that Macao would be taken over, that they were prepared to sack the place. And there were Incidents such
the accidental bombing by American aviators of several so-called objectives in Macao.
In spite of, all these difficulties, life in Macao was undisturbed, and one in- spiring feature of the community's activities was, the way in which every Church activity was supported. In particular, a splendid demonstration of devotion characterised a pilgrimage to Guia Hill, in which the Catholic re- fugees from Hongkong gave thanks to the Creator for having saved them in their hour of perll.
For the duration of the War, many thousands of people found shelter and food in Macao, and numbers of them died in Macao. Their tombstones in the cemeteries of the Portuguese colony testify to their presence in Macao,
And when the War ended, it was to Macao that the Hongkong authorities looked for personnel for the junior services, and even some of the senior services, in the 'rehabilitation of the liberated British colony. For food, too, Hongkong looked to Macao for help and large quantities of food were sent over, resulting in depletion of supplies for the Portuguese colony it- Belt.
RESTORATION PROBLEMS Then came the problems of restora- tion of pre-war aclivities; and Macao played its part. Gradually people Blocked back to Hongkong and Canton, and other places, leaving it to Macno to clean up the wear and tear after many years of use, when it was not possible to repair or restore many things. It was left to the present Governor of Macao, Commander Albano 'de Oliveira, to take charge of this, and those who visit Macao will see what a fine job he has made of it.
There was a vast programme of re- pairs to be carried out, and during the last few years the Government of Macao has carried out job after job, until the place looks like its old self -again." But` Governor' Oliveira has done more than just restore old places, he has added new features to Macao's amenities, and the little Colony will long remember the Intense interest be has shown in every activity of the
community and the hard work he has done to carry out a difficult programme.
Among the many things, to be done was the need to stimulate capital to embark upon building and new enter- prises. In part thir was due to the fact that as soon as the conflict ended, mony were in too great a hurry to try their fortunes in other places, and the Government of Macao met this by. Bet- ling the pace, so to speak, by embark- ing upon a big building programme. This served the two-fold purpose of providing employment for large num- bers of the working class. Macao felt the need to provide work for these. Several Government premises have been built and residences for many Government servants have been com- pleted, not merely for high-ranking officials but for the rank and filo. These new buildings enhance the appearance of the districts in which they have been erected. Houses for the poor have also been completed, adding con- siderably to the many hundreds of homes for the poor and working classes built in Macao during the decade or so before the War.
SIR ROBERT HO TUNG'S GIFT
Among those left behind in Macao after the War were large numbers of destitute men; women, and chlidren. The way in which these have been provided for and cared for in the homes for the aged poor, the orphan- ages, and food kitchens, not to speak of the Chinese institutions, which are. heavily subsidized by the Government, is a splendid commentary on that unl- versalism which characterized the spreading of Portuguese influence dur- ing Portugal's great age of discovery and exploration.
It was left to that great Hongkong philantropist Sir Robert Ho Tung to present to the Governor of Macao the sum of $250,000, to be applied to some permanent useful purpose in Macao, to mark his gratitude for shelter given by Macao to so many people and as a token of appreciation for the good work being done by the present gover nor in the amelioration of suffering. and want. With the funds made avail able by the distinguished Grand Old Man of Hongkong. the Governor of Macao ordered the building of the Sir. Robert Ho Tung Sino-Portuguese School, to be a monument to Chinese- Portuguese friendship and goodwill. A library in honour of Sir Robert is also being provided for, where provision will be made for the study of Chinese and foreign friendly relations during the last four hundred and fifty years.
MUNICIPAL PROGRESS
The Macao Municipal Council has also embarked upon a great deal of. progressive work. One of the most important features of the present Council's achievements is the building of a new central market, on pleasing lines, to replace the old market in the centre of the town. An extensive programme of the improvement of public lighting has also been carried out, and the streets of Maeno are pro- vided with new lighting, veritably alter- Ing the appearance of the colony.
The building of a public swimming pool in the old Vasco da Gama Park will provide the community with this amenity, and the present Municipal Council will make. its name for its thoughtfulness of the interests of the public.
In the political sphère Macao bas also had its problems. On many an occasion in the past the administration was called upon to face difficult situN--. tions, and it speaks volumes for Portu- guese tact and diplomacy that Macho - by exerting itself to try and live at peace with others has succeeded." The present Governor of Macao, Commander Albano de Oliveira, is in the direct
Dr. P.
Lobo, Director of Economia. Bervices, whose, hobby is music,, shown directing his orchestra.
View of Macao showing the celebrated Praia Grande.
Another view of Macao, showing the crowded business centre.
Children's ward In a Macao hospital.
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