Advertisement
Advertisement

South China Morning Post and the Hongkong Telegraph

EMPEROR Hirohito tipped his hat to newsmen. That stamps him as unfit to lead any nation. * * * THE trouble about liberation is that some people were eating so well that for them liberation is a dead loss. * * * 'DO you do all your work yourself or have you an assistant?' 'Yes.' 'Which?' 'Both.' RAILWAY TO CANTON Full Resumption Within Few Weeks THE rapid restoration of the Kowloon-Canton Railway to working order has been solely due to the untiring efforts of Flight-Lieutenant T. H. Mayer and his men. They have worked unceasingly since September 6 repairing the track and several bridges, shoring up tunnels and getting at least two engines running. The Japanese had badly neglected the line.

The railway will, within a few weeks, assume its peace-time role in the life of the Colony.

A complete survey of the line was made, on the instructions of the commander-in-Chief, by Squadron-Leader R. Richards, Wing-Comminder P.S.P. Morter and Flight-Lieut D. Lewis, who submitted a report.

Fuel was at first used to drive the engines until about 10 days ago when coal found hidden in a dump by the Japanese was made available.

The first train service was used to bring sick from the New Territories, medical aid being given by Wing-Commander Newnham and Squadron Leader Caldwell.

VICTORY CELEBRATION Chinese Plan Programme For Double Tenth THREE NIGHTS FESTIVAL OCTOBER 9, 10 and 11 have been set as dates for the Hong Kong Chinese celebration of their victory in this war and inauguration of world peace, according to a decision made by Chinese representatives after a series of meetings held at the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. The varied programme consists of a street parade, an open-air meeting, concerts and firework displays for three nights.

The public meeting will be held on the Murray Parade Ground on the morning of October 9 and will be followed by a street parade. The organisers will request the participation of a British military band.

Chinese firms and residents will subscribe to a fund to erect pai lau (bamboo structures in the form of a triumphant arch with colourful decorations) across the main roads.

The organisers headed by Mr Ho Kom-tong hope to include a Chinese lanterns parade in the programme.

VILLAGERS OPPRESSED Educated Chinese Woman Relates Story PRESSMEN at Lowu, near the border, were taken by surprise yesterday when taken by surprise yesterday when a young Chinese woman, dressed like a villager complete with big hat and bamboo pole, announced herself as Sophie Kay and, speaking fluent English, told of the hardships her village of Wang Lok suffered during the Japanese occupation. Sophie said she had been in Hong Kong for 30 years and was the daughter of a Eurasian, Mr Robert Kay, who died last year. Her brother, Edward, was in the Colony. She told the pressmen that many of the villagers died from starvation. The rice crops also had been affected by two months of incessant rain, resulting in floods. The Japanese had made them work carrying things and building railway bridges. They were sometimes beaten.

PRIMITIVE SURGERY Hypnotism and Hand Saws In Changi Camp London, Sept 27.

MELBOURNE Radio reported today that Australian ex-prisoners of war, who arrived in Brisbane today in the 20,000-ton Dutch hospital ship Oranje, said that the doctors in the notorious Changi prisoners-of-war camp at Singapore, resorted to hypnotism of patients when performing major surgical operations because there were no anaesthetics. Many amputations were performed by Australian doctors using nothing but hand saws.

Fifty years ago Hong Kong was slowly returning to normal after Japanese occupation. The above items reflected the concerns of the day as recorded in The South China Morning Post of September 29, 30 and October 1, 1945 VOL I No. 17 SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1945. PRICE M.Y. 10

Post