"E"
Report of Mr.Hazelrigg referred to under Paragraph 15
REPORT ON DEPARTMENTS FORMERLY LOCATED IN THE COURTS OF JUSTICE AND IN PARTICULAR, ON THE RECORDS OF THE LAND OFFICE (HONG KONG) AND THE LAND OFFICES OF "HE NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN DISTRICTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
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ASSISTANT RECEIVER
1. In this first paragraph I should like to make it clear that any success which may have been achieved in straightening out matters at the Courts of Justice has been due to the loyal and whole hearted co-operation of the former staff, including three pensioners of my own time, who reported for duty on the 9th September. I would pay particular tribute to the work of Mr. Christopher D'Almada e Castro, who in December, 1941, was an Assistant Crown Solicitor, Assistant Land Officer and Deputy Registrar of Marriages. This officer has been interned as a local volunteer officer and is far from being in good health, but he has worked unflaggingly at every task which has presented itself.
STATE OF FABRIC AND INTERIOR FITTINGS.
2.
It may not be out of place to make a short state- ment on the condition of the building.
The stone work and tiling of the main fabric appears to be substantially intact. The roof above the Crown Solicitor's room was damaged by a bomb but has been repaired by the Japanese. Inspection by the P.W.D.. is desirable.
In the main, doors and window frames are intact, though many are strained and require attention. Some 50 panes of glass require replacement. A completely new door will be required at the .E. entrance.
Internal woodwork is in reasonably good condition, but the whole of the seating for the public and the dock itself have vanished from the Puisne Judge's Court.
On my first inspection on the 9th September I found that wooden stageing for sleeping accomodation for Gendarmerie had occupied practically the whole of the Puisne Judge's Court, the Library and the Land Office.
The Supreme Court Strong room was an ammunition store and the Land Office Strong room was a repository for safes, the contents of which had been rifled.
The building contained masses of beds and other civilian furniture which has now been removed to Government store awaiting claim and also scores of desks, filing cabinets etc. had been brought in by the Gendarmerie from Government and private offices. Some articles have been claimed, others are being used to replace furniture that we have lost.
The dismantling of stageing, removal of partitions, clearance of flbor space and of strong rooms was the first task before any records could be brought back to the Court.
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