96
The
The statement contained in my interim report of the expenditure up to 31st October omitted several items which had not been brought to account by the Hong Kong & Shanghai Hotels Company Limited and the total cost is therefore higher than was anticipated.
The return of the refugees to Shanghai was very protracted as no British passenger ships called at that port until January 1938. This considerably increased the cost per head. Overhead expenses were much
the same whether 300 or 200 were in residence. The claim by the Military
Authorities is also very much higher than was anticipated. The losses
of stores are serious. Many of them occurred during the typhoon of
September when the refugees were almost washed
Sheets and blankets were used to stop up
the night of 1st, 2nd.
out of their quarters.
broken windows etc. and to stay the flood of water pouring in under
every door.
The opportunity for theft by coolies etc. clearing up next morning when chaos prevailed was therefore great. There were
also, I am afraid, considerable thefts by the refugees themselves.
e. g. seventeen electric irons have disappeared. Some of the sheets, towels etc. were also put to improper use and later destroyed.
The estimated deficit amounts to $154,723.38 which at 1/3 the
A prevailing rate of exchange equals £9,670.4.3.
The outstanding accounts for the refugees amount to $133,756.25
so that even if they were all paid in full there would still be a
deficit of $20,967.13. These accounts have been calculated on the
basis of $3 a day for adults and $2 a day for children under 15.
The result is very disappointing. I had hoped to show a "paper profit" but it is entirely due to the long delay in returning the refugees
to Shanghai and to the cost of the return passages to Shanghai.
Of the outstanding accounts I estimate that perhaps half may
eventually be recovered so that the ultimate loss to H. M. 's Government
may be under £5,500.
(sd) W. J. Carrie.
Chairman,
Shanghai Refugees Committee.
17.2.1938.