Sessional_Paper_1938 — Page 136

132

all the Centres on that night was 732; 528 at Happy Valley; 138 at Central British School and 66 at Shamshuipo.

26. No further special accommodation was arranged in Shanghai for further evacuation and thereafter only a few individual refugees reached Hong Kong-some by rail via Canton.

27. Mr. Barry also supervised the subsequent removal from Happy Valley and Shamshuipo to Lai Chi Kok and the conveyance of the refugees and their luggage was carried out without a hitch.

28. When evacuation was later made from Hankow and special trains arrived on the 13th December, 25th December, 1937, and 1st January, 1938, one lady was accommodated at the old Central British School from the first train, one from the second, and 58 men, women and children from the third.

III. Medical Relief and Welfare.

29. Hong Kong was at the time of the arrival of the refugees in the midst of a cholera epidemic and it was considered essential that all refugees should be inoculated. A clinic was at once established under the direction of Dr. Lilias Dovey who was indefatigable in her efforts on behalf of the refugees. Many of them arrived in a state bordering on collapse, probably due to shell shock; many appeared to be undernourished and the work of the clinic was therefore continuous. Mrs. Dovey was ably assisted by several ladies who are trained nurses, notably Mrs. P. F. S. Court, Mrs. G. H. Bond, Mrs. D. Cuthbertson, Mrs. C. G. Perdue and Mrs. Fairly. Several nurses were kindly lent by St. John's Ambulance Brigade, and by the Health Officer for Schools.

30. Mrs. M. G. Jessiman and Mrs. Hillhouse, themselves refugees from Shanghai, were appointed to the staff as nursing sisters, and later Mrs. Brand and Mrs. Clark. All continued at Lai Chi Kok also. Mrs. G. Fletcher was appointed Matron at the new Central British School and Mrs. Marsden, nursing sister there, where a small clinic was also necessary.

31. A Ladies Welfare Committee was also formed as many of the women were in dire need of clothes and comforts beyond what could be supplied from public funds. Several generous donations were made to a Welfare Fund, notably the sum of $10,000 by Mr. J. H. Taggart. This fund was administered by the Ladies Wel- fare Committee.

32. There were many willing voluntary helpers and much good work was done in making the refugees comfortable and happy after their unfortunate experiences in Shanghai.

Motor cars were lent for trips to the bathing beaches and parties were taken to cinema theatres, etc.

IV.

Registration and Organization.

33. The work of recording particulars of all persons who sought accommoda- tion in the Centres was undertaken by a special staff composed mainly of school- masters who were then on holiday. Rev. Mr. G. E. S. Upsdell, with Mr. M. G. O'Connor and Mr. H. G. Wallington assisted at Happy Valley; Mr. D. J. Crozier and Mr. D. McLellan at Central British School, Mr. L. B. Holmes and Mr. C. Mycock at Shamshuipo and at Head Office.

34. In accordance with the instructions given in the Secretary of State's telegram of 16th August undertakings to repay the cost of housing and maintenance were obtained from all refugees. A special form of agreement to pay to the Government the sum of $5 a day for each adult and $3 a day for each child under