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(a) The Japanese did not know the state of the line all the way to CANTON, though they stated that recently the track had been flooded in parts so that only the tops of telegraph poles were visible.
(e) The Japanese Garrison Commander advised that if the party wished to gofurther along the line, is superiors in the CAMION area should be informed first and he would then accompany the party, whom he faered might be attacked by guerillas and looters. He stated that he was not in contact with his superior and wished the party to make the arrangements.
Altogether the Japanese did not appear to be willing to
be very helpful to the party.
The following information regarding the line was obtained from a Chinese who had worked on the railway during the latter months of occupation:
(a) The line (a single track) was laid over 2 years ago by the Japanese, The sleepers have sunk into the ground.
(b)
At TIN TONG WAI there is a wagon broadside across the track (c) Between PO KAT and LEI LONG there are several cuttings which have slipped and the track is partly covered.
The party's further report is now awaited.
(11) Numerous copies of the following maps covering HONG KONG and the NEW TERRITOAITS have been recovered from the Japanese Map Depot formerely located in the HCG KONG & SHANGHAI BANK Building;-
10,000
British maps reprinted by Japanese.
25,000
V. ECONOMIC
1
50,000
1 500,000
Chinese Government Survey series reprinted
by Japrese.
THE SITUATION IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
(1) This area was toured by the Commander-in-chief on October 3rd. Little change in the si tion was noted; transportation is still the main problem and the lack of it is still causing congestion in the transfer of goods, and passengers between the markets. As most people in this area are farmers or farm labourers there is a great deal of unemployment at present. This will decrease but only temporarily, when the harvest starts shortly.
Japanese Military Yen is still being used owing to the shortage of Hong Kong currency, this naturally being unavoidable, but measures are, however, being taken to rectify the shortage. It has been noted that recently there has ben a large influx of cattle from CHINA into the NEW TERRITOKIES, and conversely a steady flow of vegetables grown in the NEW TERRITORIES across the border into CHINA.
(11) The Government policy of selling rice at 20 cents per catty has been successful in cutting down the price of rice in the NEW TERIIRTORIES. Local rice, however, is still selling at 26 cents to 27 cents per catty at the local market at 28 cents to 32 cents per catty at the SHA TAU GOK Market and at 25 cents per catty at the TAI PO Market.
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