CO129-592-5 Reports on current situation- custody of enemy property 7-12-1945 - 11-12-1945 — Page 7

"X"

COPY

SHORT REPORT ON WORK CARRIED OUT BY CONTROLLER

OF GODOWNS

18/8/45 to 13/9/45

The formation of a preliminary local Government to take over from the enemy should they evacuate or be driven out by other than British Forces was considered by Mr. Gimson and his advisors from the early days of internment. In the scheme evolved I was appointed Controller of Godowns.

2) As soon as the Japanese allowed internees out on "Pass" (about the 18/8/45) I came into Victoria nearly every day contacting Chinese and obtaining information as to the places likely to contain food and other stores. In due course the Japanese Civil Monopolies and the Military disclosed their stores and on the 1/9/45 handed over keys of Godowns and stock records in Japanese and Chinese.

3)

These records have not been translated and inventories of Godowns made, a few of which have been checked and found reasonably accurate.

4)

Thus the disclosed stores of foods and materials can be taken as correct for more general purposes.

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5)

An analysis of these inventories is being made.

6)

Quite apart from the stores disclosed by the Japanese Authorities we have discovered large quantities of valuable

me rchandise and foods stored in the Air Raid Tunnels constructed before 1941, in public buildings, in private houses in Military

and holes in the ground and every conceivable place. Many of these caches were brought to light by tracing Chinese looters.

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(7) There is also a large quantity of merchandise which is enemy property that has been handed over to Chinese nominees. Some of this has been traced and sealed.

(ن)

All godowns, houses etc., located containing Japanese Goods have been sealed with a Notice reading:-

NOTICE

"These Premises are under the Administration

of the Controller of Godowns.

Mercantile Bank, 2nd Floor.

Controller of Godowns"

(9) With the small European Staff at my command and the almost total lack of transport facilities for personnel and removing stocks to safer areas, we have not been able to do much more than seal premises and arrange Naval or Military guards to prevent serious looting.

(10) I am still at date locating enemy goods, and to make a

complete survey of the Island and Kowloon will take a few weeks.

(11) I have accepted requisitions from the Naval, Military and Civil Authorities, and released such goods as they have urgently required. For these goods I hold receipts.