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THE HONG KONG SUNDAY HERALD, SEPTEMBER 9, 1945 9000 Cared for in Macao UNTIRING WORK BY BRITISH CONSUL The story of activities of the British relief organisation in Macao, which apart from looking after the welfare of 9,000 people, aided many to escape. Both from Macao itself and Hongkong camps, is told in a very modest manner by Mr. A. Swemmeleer, who is now in the colony from Macao in order to find out about living accommodation in view of the many requests from Hongkong for the transfer of relatives and friends from Macao. He is also here to make arrangements for the despatch of food stuffs from Macao to Hongkong. The organisation commenced on a small scale but it was not long before it found its resources severely taxed and requests had to made regularly for an increase in the monthly allowance from the British government—at first it was five hundred sterling and at the beginning of August this year it was approaching five thousand five hundred. As many as 1,000 people were suddenly placed under their care, so that they were always behind hand from a financial point of view, due to the length of time which elapsed between an appeal for increased funds and actual receipt of that increase. British citizens and their dependents had the use of a medical clinic attended by five doctors—Eddie Gosano left for Hong Kong as soon after the surrender as he could, leaving four there—and six nurses, while there were free schools. The clinic was an expensive item as the average monthly cost for medicines and drugs was two thousand sterling. Occasionally they ran short of necessities and were forced to purchase in the Black Market at outrageous prices, and when this was not possible they fell back on prescriptions. Appendix 10 Appendix 10 164 The allowance received from Home allowed for a maximum of M.$150 per head (15 Macao dollars go to the pound sterling), though the majority received M.$80–85 per head. Escapes Aided Though it was not one of their official duties, the organisation always assisted where possible those who were attempting to escape either from Hong Kong and Macao and among those whom they smuggled over the border were Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher, Mrs. Geoffrey Wilson (wife of the A.S.P.). Mr Lessner (of Pan-[………………] later harbor. There was no machine gunning of the city and damage of a minor nature and casualties very few. Property Values Mr. Swemmeleer went on to say that “Macao had prospered in a way.” Many had made plenty of money and property values had soared—a house valued at M.$10,000 pre-war changed hands at M.$100,000, rich Chinese from Canton paying almost any price for suitable accommodation. The housing problem was the greatest one Macao had to face. The inhabitants lived in comparative comfort as labour was easy to find as there were few jobs to be had. An amah could be employed from M.$2–4 per month. All who spent any time at all in Macao owe a big debt of gratitude to Mr. J. P. Reeves, the British Consul, who worked untiringly to improve conditions for all. Mr. Swemmeleer, who is returning to Macao at dawn tomorrow by the “Fatshan”, arrived in Hong Kong six months prior to the outbreak of hostilities , and was working for Messers. Warner Bros., the famous film company. ...

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