CO129-595-9 The British Military Administration of Hong Kong- report- 1946 11-7-1946 - 2-9-1946 — Page 86

CENTRAL EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

QUARTERLY REPORT.

:

126

INTRODUCTION.

The following report shows the progress made in the

various Sections of this Branch since it began to operate on the

11th of September 1945. It is, however, relevant to give a short

account of the state of affairs at that date under the Civil

Administration which had already been set up.

It is also necessary

to state that the Chinese Affairs and Labour Sections have been

working on their own outside the direction of the Central Executive

Branch.

Briefly, the position at the date of taking over was

as follows:-

(1) POSTS & TELEGRAPHS.

Local delivery of letters without postage fee was in operation with a skeleton staff. The Post Offices were not open except for sorting of letters.

(2) BOTANICAL & FORESTRY. A small staff had been collected and the

(3) EDUCATION.

(4) FISHERIES.

(5)

TELECOMMUNICATIONS:

work of clearing public places and gardens commenced. A survey of future needs had been made by the Superintendent.

Üne English School (Wah Yan College) and three Chinese Schools were open. Two of the latter were closed later owingto their pro-Japanese activities and then re-opened with new Staff.

The broad lines of development had been laid down and a good start made in the rehabilitation of the fishermen and their

fleet.

Cable & Wireless had already taken over the Station as the Japanese had left it and were conducting outward traffic. 5,000 telephone lines were in operation on the automatic system.