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Waterworks The central part of the town began to receive However water as before almost immediately after the surrender. certain parts where the mains were damaged during the hostilities (by shelling mostly) were without water till more than a month
later.
Gas Company resumed its activity shortly after the surrender and the central part of the city was supplied with gas, but apparently the damage to certain gas mains was considerable as for instance as late as the end of March there was still not supply to the Ha py Valley and Causeway Bay areas.
The Hongkong Telephone Company resumed its activity and by was restored the beginning of February telephone communication through most of the town.
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Kowloon Docks were in operation on a small scale within a month after the surrender.
To the best of my information all these engineering companies were put. into operation and run by the Japanese engineers.. The only utilities where British engineers were left to carry on and get things going were the Telephone Co. and the Gas Co. In the Telephone Co. several engineers were left in charge for a while, however after the main repairs were completed they were dispensed with and sent to the Internment Camp. In the Gas Co. one or two British engineers were retained to work and were still on the job at the end of March.
Railway The Kowloon
Canton railway was damaged in several places by demolitions. However, the Hongkong News, a Japanese edited newspaper in English, announced the reopening of rail communication as far as Lowu border of the New Territories) about the middle of March.
Sanitary Conditions
Needless to say as the result of the war the sanitary conditions in Hong Kong were extremely bad. Dead bodies were left in the buildings and on the streets for
It is many days, the refuse was deposited on te streets etc. rather surprising that no strong epidemic of cholera, dysentry etc. had broken out although, of course, there were cases of cholera in town (at one stage as many as 20 per day). The Sanitury dept. resumed its work shortly after the surrender. Several British employees were left to carry on. In February strong sanitary campaign was started and the conditions improved. Compulsory cholera inoculation was introduced and posts were set up on the streets where all passers-by were stopped, inoculated and provided with certificates.
The hospitals were gradually taken over by the Japanese Military
Authorities
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