1940-07-05 — Page 4

THE CHINA MAIL, JULY 5, 1940

COLONY'S AU REVOIR

TO 2,000

EVACUEES

Many Poignant Wharf Scenes; But Women

Bear Up With A Smile

HONG KONG'S CIVILIAN WOMEN AND CHILDREN EVACUEES, A FEW WITH TEARS IN THEIR EYES AND SNIFFLING NOSES, OTHERS CRACKING A WRY LAST JOKE, WENT ON BOARD THE TWO EMPRESS LINERS TIED · UP AT THE KOWLOON WHARF THIS MORNING AND BY THIS EVENING WILL BE ON THE HIGH SEAS ON THE WAY DOWN TO MANILA. Large crowds of male and female relatives gathered at the reception centres and the wharf to see them off and did their best to keep up the spirits of those leaving. But it was a cruel task, and even the weather was miser- able, raining hard until almost noon, by which time over half the evacuees were on board.

Many a poignant little scene of farewell at the foot of the gang-plank drew a strange prickling at the corner of even a stranger's eyes, but it is to the credit of Hong Kong women that, although they are setting off into the unknown, as it were, and do not know when, if ever, they will be back, practically all of them bore up bravely and even managed a smile.

Officially, no non-evacuees were supposed to go on board, but not a few managed it by helping to carry parcels or youngsters up the gang-planks.

But her young son rather spoiled The majority of farewells, however, were said on the wharf itself and it. "But its empty," he cried"—there's around the foot of the gangway, giv-nothing in it but camp-beds." "Hush, ing a newsreel cameraman a chance child," said his mother, smiling, "It's to get many effective "close-ups" for only for two nights!" the American newsreels.

"Kiddies' Adventure"

After getting certificates

of clean

a

shipside, but, in order to prevent hopeless confusion at the other end, the conductors were adamant in re- fusing to allow any "mixing.”

Arrived at Kowloon, those bound for the smaller Empress boat-those who registered at the Hong Kong Hotel and Hong Kong Club-were the carefully marshalled along to gang-plank, while others, destined boat-just for the larger Empress back from troop-ship work “some- where else"--were placed on board buses

Canton and driven along Road to No. 5 wharf.

At both No. 1 and No. 5 wharf, ar- rangements were the same. Down the centre of the wharf a sort of corridor with bamboo barricades on both sides

health, they sat quietly in the lounge, had been erected. One end was the awaiting further instructions.

evacuees

entrance, the other end the "exit," consisting of the gang-plank gofig up into the ship.

At the Hong Kong Hotel, the entered the downstairs

As in the case of Tuesday's registra- lounge by way of the main entrance. tion, they were guided by ropes and volunteer helpers up to the desks to receive their identification labels and ing them had to keep outside the cor- to be relieved of their suitcases.

Last "Toasts"

The snack bar, at the back, had

been turned into a temporary "medi- cal department," where health certi- were distributed. They then sat down in Mac's Cafeteria, waiting to be taken down to the ship.

ficates

|

Police officers at the entrance end assisted the "conductors" of the par- ties in seeing that evacuees only 20- tered the "corral." Those accompany-

ridor, although not a few, carrying children or small bundles and packets of food, were able to bluff their way few past the "Watchdogs" and, in a cases where the mother was obviously feeling the effects of the strain and could not possibly carry the baby up the gang-plank and onto the ship, they were even able to accompany her up the gang-plank. They had to leave again immediately.

In both hotels, many "last toasts" were drunk in tea or stronger fare tried to keep up as the evacuees their spirits. Most of them man- There were one or two cases that to be brought by ambulanc.. aged to look not too unhappy, but had

given the best cabins. here and there a sudden display of These were People hung around the wharf as

On the whole, the children were

bad-temper or even a fit of quiet The other passengers were allotted ca- long as possible, despite the steady the less affected by the going away,

sobbing showed where the tension bins or "dormitories," and since the bunks drizzle, until eventually the conductor, and most of them looked upon it as

had been more than a poor woman accommodation included both growing impatient and realising that

a glorious adventure, as children gen-

and camp-beds, these were not allot- could bear. other batches were arriving in aerally do. They beamed and waved

Fedder Street parking space wasted, the occupants of each cabin being minute or two, cried out:-"All my their farewells as they went up the

be-cleared for the lorries taking the allowed to sort out the accommodation so that, apparently, party on board please!"

gang-plank and once on board Then there were

came somewhat of a problem to wor-evacuees' suitcases down to the two for themselves

to Empress liners, while several of the there should be no voices raised in ob- should she be given shakes, last, lingering kisses and aried mothers, as they proceeded

buses on thejection: "Why joke or two which, as happens at try and run about all over the ship largest Diesel-engined

Island were drawn

the the bunk and me the camp-bed?" moments of emotional tension like "and get lost."

Smooth Process these, drew an inordinate-amount

hotels.

of laughter.

hurried hand-

As one by one the evacuees broke loose and hurried up the gangway many of them literally racing up to get inside the ship before the tears started to fall there arose a babble of last-minute instructions and good- wishes:-

soon

tions.

**So Long!

""

-

Standing by one gang-plank for over an hour, the "China Mall" re- presentative saw only one small child in tears and those tears seemed to be more in sympathy with those her pouring down the cheeks of mother than of any personal con- corn.

As the noon-hour struck, many of friends the husbands, relatives and on the wharf left, shouting out:- "We'll be back by 2 o'clock and stay till the ship goes!"

be in Most of them appeared to fairly high spirits, although a lot of this was camouflage for the benefit As one man said, of the evacuees.

like Christmas, it however:-"It's

Let's go only happens once a year! and get a drink!"

¿

up outside

are

In batches of 25 or 30, the evacuees While things were rather crowded filed out onto the street, mingling withat most of the reception centres, em~ the large crowd of husbands, friends barkation at the wharves was smooth and relatives many of whom were and rapid, and thanks for this

wharf. largely due to the policy of sending to get down to the unable Conductors-wearing green brassards little batches of 25 or so at a time. -hurried around and gently pried them loose and got them into the waiting buses.

“Evacuees Only"

These had time to say farewells at the ship-side and then get on board before the next batch arrived, so that there was absolutely no confusion.

"So long, Harry, see you soon Write as soon as you get there, dear Don't hang around the wharf, darling, go on, go. Be seeing you Look after yourself Now, don't worry, everything'll turn out all right Hope you have a good cabin

You'll soon be back," and so on. Once on board, the evacuees lined the railings and port-holes, waving

at handle the rush. As each ferry made board ship, helping people into buses, and calling out last minute instruc- The evacuees started to arrive

cabins or "dormitories," Here and there, one evacuee the reception centres long before the fast and discharged its incoming pas-out of buses, up the gang-plank and raised a grumble about the accom- appointed time.

The two main cen- sengers, the regular outgoing passen- into their

children, after little modation, shrieking it out down to tres at Hong Kong were the Glouces-gers were held up until a batch of while others were scattered about the

of the 25 to 30 evacuees had gone on board place, looking on the wharf -- "I've got ater Arcade and the lounge

Entrance to the and were safely "coralled" in one of keeping them happy and quiet, or else "For standing by ready to administer first camp-bed down by the galley in the Hong Kong Hotel.

cabins - again marked

aid should any evacuee find the strain bottom, of the ship

too My cabin is Arcade was in Des Voeux Road, and the crowded with camp-beds!"

as soon as the evacuees arrived they Evacuées Only."

Around the windows clustered those of leaving home, and dear ones The other spirit was displayed by were relieved of their suitcases, which one married woman, who called down were returned to them on board ship, coming down to see them safely to the much for her.

were examined to her, husband:-"We're in the Palm and their passports

Kong Official Room!" "Is it all right?" he called and stamped. "Hong

Evacuee." back. She nodded.

But no organization, no matter how As each bus moved off with its party, a small crowd followed it down well planned, is likely to be a success to the Star Ferry pier, where a spe- unless those helping in it are smooth cial area next to the travel office and and efficient workers. And, in a large Mobile Column, telephone booths had been roped off measure, much of the credit is due to

the nurses of the and marked "Evacuees Only."

sat and waited | H.K.V.D.C., who, clad in neat white Here the evacuees for the ferries, which were being run uniforms, have been busy all day at

The Arrangements at five-minute intervals in order to the reception centres, wharves and on

those

Try our BREAD CHANTECLER BAKERY

Deliveries to all parts of the Colony ̈176, Nathan Road, Kowloon.

Tel. 50021.

Power and Performance

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ANDERSEN, MEYER & CO., LTD.

SHOWROOM DAVID HOUSE 67 DES VOEUX ROAD.

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