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9
15
B.
also to Neutral States, with a view to handing it over to accredited representatives of the Powers concerned at the earliest moment allowed by the military situation.
Private Property of British, Allied and Neutral Nationals
(a)
(b)
(c)
As regards the property of British companies and persons and that of companies and persons of Allied and Neutral States which have no accredited representative in Hong Kong, where the company or person is not in the Colony and is not, in your opinion; satisfactorily represented there, the Custodian will take into custody such property (in so far as it is not already hired or requisitioned by the Army Services) as in the opinion of the chief Civil Affairs Officer is likely to be required at a later date for the maintenance of services essential to the community, provided that in so doing no liability for hire or of any other sort is thereby involved.
The Custodian will safeguard such personal effects of absentee owners as may come into his hands.
Subject to military exigencies and to the resources placed at his disposal, the Custodian may take into custody any property of British, Allied or Neutral Nationals who are not in the Colony and are not satisfactorily represented there, or who, being in the Colony, are in his. opinion unable effectively to administer such property, and also any property the owners of which, whatever their nationality, are unknown or whose present whereabouts are unknown and generally any property that he may deem necessary to take into his custody for preserving the same from loss or damage.
Colonial office,
17th August, 1945.
PUBLIC
OFFICE