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22. Early after the surrender the Japanese commenced to disperse the crowded population. Streets of Chinese residents were repatriated free of charge to Canton. Other residents were escorted over the border to Shunchun. Boats started to run to Canton, Macao and Kwongchowwan. Arrangements weremade for the Portuguese population to return to Macao. Many have left since.
23. The Hongkong dollar is being used as equivalent to fifty military sen. Big notes were prohibited from circulation and since this restriction was lifted money changers will only give 75-80 value. All steamship ticketa must be purchased with military yen. In January the central district was thronged with queues extending aroun blocks to exchange H\ngkong money into military yen, to buy a catty of rice, to buy steamship tickets and to cross the ferry.
24.
The Banks opened in January for the convenience of third nationals and non hostile Chinese. Depositors were allowed to draw fifty dollars from personal accounts only. In February again the banks re-opened, the British, American and Dutch banks for a limited period of three days, the others to remain open. nach depositor was permitted to draw up to three hundred dollars from personal accounts. New accounts could be opened and withdrawals were to be unlimited.
25. shops have reopened but prics are considerably increased. Upon the cessation of hostilities hawkers and shopkeepers sold their goods on the pavements, reluctant to disclose their business addresses. Finally the new Civil Administration drove the hawkers to side lanes and merchanta were forced to take out licencos to resume business. The department stores held out until early March when their re- opening was announced. Imported food is considerably more expensive in owloon than in Hongkong. Nathan Roɑd shops are now mostly improvised bun shops, complete with Filipino or zussian orchestras and sometimes bostesses.
26. The governing of Hongkong is in the hands of the Civil Administration. The supply of water, electricity, gas and telephones have been repaired. Each householder requiring any of the above must register and pay new deposits. In the case of telephones the charges had not been settled up to March. The ferry, tram and bus services have been renewed at twice the pre-war coat. strict searching of person and parcels, however is carried on at the entrances to the star Ferry and at various stops of trams and buses. The markets have been re-opened and this reduced the cost of fresh vegetables and fresh fish. Fresh meat is scarce and expensive.
27. After the surrender of Hongkong a van equipped with a loud-speaker was sent around to inform the people of the situation and to play appropriate musical records. Scores of notices were pasted up daily regarding new changes. Since then the radio and the newspapers, including the "Hongkong News" in English have become the voice for local affairs and items by Domei. The local police have taken on traffic and patrol duties. In future no English is to be used in Hongkong. A11 schoolchildren wiRbe required to learn Japanese and therefore a new training school was opened for primary schoolteachers to study the Japanese language.
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