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Shanghai Banking Corporation, as well as members of the Chartered Bank, Chas hk, National City Bank, etc. were so occupied, and were not interned in Stanley by 17th Feb. During the latter part of January announcements were made that the banks would open for periods of three days cach, during which time money could be withdrawn by Chinese and Indian nationals only up to a maximum of $50.00 per persons. No accounts belonging to Companies or Firms or Institutions could be operated. By this time there was an acute shortage of money in various quarters. At first no notes of large denomination were negotiable, but later notes of $50.00 and over were declared to be officially negotiable, but ere only accepted at a discount. By the middle of February it was possible to withdraw sums of
300.00 by dint of turning in a cheque for that amount plus $200 in cash. In exchange for this a $500 note was given, which could be exchanged on the street for 400 of smaller currency.
The banks which opened for business included the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, the Chartered Bank, the Netherlandsch Indische Handelsbank, Chase Bank, Mercantile Bank, Banque de l'Indo Chine, Bank of China, Bank of Communications, Banque Belge pour l'Etranger, American prese Co., Manufacturers Bank of China etc. Commencing on 7th Feb. the Japanese started opening the safe deposit boxes of the Hongkong and Changhai Banking Dorporation and the Bank of Last Asia to examine the vaulables deposited therein. Depositors were invited to be present with their keys.
FUBLIC SERVICES.
Water Supply was resumed about the middle of January the administrative offices being established in the Stock Exchange Building, Ice House St. deposit of between 25 and 100 yen was demanded, with 15 sen per 100 gallons as the charge.
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Electricity was again available at about the same time. The offices were set up in the P. & 0. Building, and very high rates were being charged, based on the number of points in each house, in addition to the actual consumption cf current.
Gas was also available again before the end of January.
Telephone. This service continued right up to the time of the Japanese Occupation, with certain exceptions, and was then disconnected by the Japanes Cervice was resumed before the end of January.
Bus Services were re-commenced on Jan. 27th.
Tram Services were re-started on Jan. 27th.
The Star Ferry was running again from a date early in January. The use of the ferry was at first considerably curtailed, and the use of a special pass demanded, but later Chinese were able to pass freely, though they were subject to an inspection at both sides of the harbour.
Steamer Services to Macao end Centon were resumed before the middle of January, and were being filled to capacity by Chinese anxious to return to their homes. The ordinary fares were 3.00, but a brisk business was boing done by re-selling the tickets for anything up to $50.00. Cars. Nearly every private car and lorry in the Colony was collected by the Japanese before the end of January and parked in the Cricket Ground or on the Race Course. It was understood that the engines were to be removed and sent to Japan. A few private cars were registered with special passes and high registration fees of $1,000 or more. Petrol was almost unobtainable. Newspaper. A daily newspaper in Miglish called "The Hongkong News" was starte at the beginning of January, published by Toshihiko to, 2 Connaught Rd., C., with its business department in 1-3 yndham St. The price is ten cents per day. The paper uses faultless English and is the channel of the most insidicu type of Japanese propaganda.
Hongkong Radio Broadcasting Service was resumed early in January.
Mr. Wynne Jones the postmaster General, was virtually interned in the Gloucester Building and compelled to render technical assistance with the service. The Station, JPHA, operates on 1154 kilocycles, or 260 metres, on the medium wave. The following broadcasts (Tokyo Standard Time) might be of interest:-
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