CO129-592-5 Reports on current situation- custody of enemy property 7-12-1945 - 11-12-1945 — Page 8

(12) Looting on the Island is now reasonably in hand, though daylight breaking and looting of premises in even the Central District has not beem eradicated.

(13) Looting on the Mainland had not, up to 12/9/45 p.m. been brought within bounds. This applies not only to scattered dumps but also to the Kowloon Godowns, and in this connection I quote my representative's Report, dated 11/9/45.

"KOWLOON GODOWNS"

"LOOTING"

"FIRE"

"Situation he re deplorable, efforts being made by

RAF to curtail looting. It has had a little effect. Can we lock various Godowns?"

"This is still going on, little or no effort is

being made to check it, very little interest is taken by Godown Staff. Troops are also respon- sible for a considerable amount of it".

"During a course of inspection through the Dodowns I found a fire on "D" floor No.16 (?) Godown (per sonal effects). This was burning merrily, ob- viously started by looters. Even with this event it took some time before any interest was taken. Little or no control exists in these godowns, if something is not done immediately it will be too late, and everything will be out of hand".

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On receipt of this report I went over to Kowloon and saw several officers and obtained assurances that action would be taken. One of the main difficulties is that the Military Authori ties break open godowns and take whatever they require (for which we have tried to obtain receipts) and leave the doors open.

Coolies wander in and help themselves.

My latest report (13/9/45) states that my representative has locked all godowns containing the most valuable goods, and conditions are much improved.

(Sgd) R. A. WICKERSON.

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COPY

FROM

Acting Custodian of Property

ΤΟ

5th October, 1945.

Col. G. E. Strickland,

Legal Branch, C.A.

SECOND REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE CUSTODIAN OF PROPERTY DEPARTMENT 14TH SEPTEMBER 1945 TO 5th OCTOBER 1945.

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In continuation of my report of the 14th September 1945,

I beg to advise that this department has continued to search for

enemy property either on basis of information received or by

going to places known to be formerly occupied by Japanese firms

or individuals.

2) While I hope eventually to cover all districts with the

small European staff at my disposal, I am afraid that quite a

lot of enemy property will have been spirited away before it is

possible for my men to get at it. I have therefore continued

to seal and secure the properties located, and, where necessary,

have asked the Police or Military Authorities to place guards.

I have also requested the S.C.A. to place special watchmen on

difficult places.

3) I have investigated further into cases previously re-

ported upon and where satisfied of non-enemy ownership, the

property has been released; where satisfied that the property

is of enemy ownership I have, whenever possible removed the

goods in question to safe-keeping in godown. However, as you

are aware, the transport facilities at my disposal are so

totally inadequate that very little impression on the whole

has been made, but having regard to these limited facilities,

the quantity so transported to godowns is satisfactory.

4) There are a number of legal questions to be solved.

These have been passed on to Mr. Armstrong. The point that

particularly requires to be elucidated is at what date did the

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British law again come into force, thus giving a line of cleavage between transactions which were legal under Japanese administration but which may not be legal under British law. When this question has been settled it will be possible to consider very many cases and make decisions there anent. In

this connection I have not a copy of the Potsdam Declaration but believe that one of the terms was that Japanese should,

as from the date of acceptance, keep order and reserve all the properties for the United Nations until arrangements for

their transfer can be completed.

5)

Staff: As you are aware it is nedessary that the

outside inspection work be done by Euro pe ans. Of the seven-

teen internees and prisoners-of-war who were assisting me in

this respect five have been repatriated. I have got ten

Portuguese back from Macau and these are assisting in making

inventories of the contents of properties and especially in

supervising the removal of goods to godowns. They are also

employed in making or checking inventories of goods in godown

taken over from the Japanese.

6)

I have advertised for sale by tender a quantity of

paper damaged by water and fire lying in Chungking Arcade,

Kowloon. This paper is not worth removing and will probably

be used by the buyers for wrapping paper, etc.

7)

I am making arrangements to liquidate the businesses

of Mikado Bazaar and Okado situate at 45 and 49 Peking Road,

Kowloon. These two businesses are Japanese "Curios" shops

and the cost of packing and storing all the China, Curios,

etc. would probably be more than the goods themselves would

realize. I am placing in charge of these shops a Chinese

who is well recommended to me as being honest and who is able

to provide guarantee from the American Express Co. in the

sum of H20,000.00.

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(Sga)

R. A. WICKERSON, Acting Custodian of Property.

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