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Rumour is still going round the camp relating to repatriation but most of it is just speculation and tripe. We haven't been informed of anything concrete, but it is quite definite that the latter is being discussed at home and Tokyo.We shall just have to wait and see what the outcome is.

5 pkts. May Blossom $3.00

Issue of 3 lbs. raw rice

“Esther” ballet

(5) ((or S?))

Damp & muggy.

Walk with Steve pm.

((G.))

repay Y10.

Brown (lesson read by PJA Hamilton) / Sewell

(X) Norwegians doing own cooking ((this appears to refer to the 25th where there is another (X) joined to the first by an arrow pointing to the entries for the 25th))

((G.))

Damp & misty.

Walk with Steve pm.

“Esther” ballet

Cookhouse.

Warmer & muggy.

((G.))

Steve & I just sat and talked tonight.

((G.))

It is 9a.m. with you now but I was only thinking of our laddie - I can't call him "wee" now. It was 3.30 with us - 6.30am with you - and I have been thinking of him all evening. - wondering what he is doing. I am not very keen on this Navy idea as a career - influence plays such a part - and many a man is axed as a Lieut. Com. at 45 or so - no money, perhaps a wife and kids, a meagre pension and what is he to do at that age? And there is always such a lot of separation. However it won't be too late to consider it all again after the war.

Anti-malarial work by J. authorities outside Camp

Allowances for wives of families in Australia of non-Govt. servants other than volunteers ((sp?)) cut – anxiety in Camp (letters)

Dinsdale (“Textiles”) 

Sunbathed, cold shower, clothes washing & reading took up the day.

Fine hot weather.

Sugar scarce & dearer Y1.40 1lb ($5.60) 7/-

((G.))

Walk with Steve pm.

((G.))

Saw my camphor-wood box pass.

3. STANLEY:

A petition, signed by 1594 internees, is presented to the camp authorities complaining about the rations. They mention the cut of 75% in the flour ration, the absence of meat, and the inadequate supply of 'proper food' - they stress that for them, rice is not a proper food and no substitute for flour.

Grayburn and Streatfield are moved.

Maejima granted interview to Council.

Issue of Y 25 to adults; Y 18.75 to children 5-12; Y 12.50 to under 5

Hosp. concert (O’Connor, Large, MacM., Trio ((unclear)), R. choir ((unclear)), Colledge, Kirby ((unclear)), White, Mrs. Dean Smith, Eolm Hewitt ((both names unclear)).c – CJ Norman)

((Following text undated:))

Middle of March midday meal is cut out. Only Japanese, Formosan and ex-policemen get lunch. Verandah residents expelled following big shot visit. Formosan in my cell, sleeps next to me. Takes all my nails in wall for hanging his possessions, leaving me one.

Rained & muggy. Mosquitoes a big nuisance.

Meijima arrived.

Y25 issued.

Walk with Steve pm.

“Springtime for Henry” (Benn Levy ((playwright))) (John Charter, RW Mills, Peter Mills, Freddie Dalziel – p. D. Gordon Jennings (Pritchard – “C M Customs”)

((AJ Savitsky painted this portrait of Richard Mills in character:

Rotten weather all day. No walk pm.

((G.))

Concert at St Stephens.

'Friends' from the Sun Wah Hotel have quickly found out where Grayburn and Streatfield have been moved to ((see March 24) and today they begin to send in daily food parcels and periodical changes of clothing. Sometimes they are given the food, sometimes they aren't.

E. P. Streatfield, Account, page 4, in Hong Kong Public Records Office, HKMS100-1-6

“Esther” ballet

Cookhouse.

((G.))

Rained off & on all day.

Stayed in tonight. Steve to last show of “Esther”.