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Franklin Gimson's attempt to put an end to criticism over information he's given to Sir Arthur Blackburn has failed:

Gimson saw Hattori ("Parcels had already been sent from Japan")

("Remi Harris ((sp?)) of R.C. had already arrived". "rations discussed at great length")

Overcast, showery, cool.

Ground rice (alone) Chopped fire-wood. 4hrs.

"Scale of rations compared favourably with that of civilians & of the Jap. territorial army" - Hattori

Beck

Brenchley

Fine, cloudy.

Chopped fire-wood.

Saw Steve pm. Spoke on matters of the future which are rather rosy if all we hear about staff alterations come true.

District chairmen held meeting & Hattori’s statements were discussed.

Convoy of several ships arrived am. Parcels? Canteen gear arrived & small amount of toothpwdr & toilet paper from the Japs.

Much guessing as to which Dom. it is refusing to comply with Jap requirements & to what the req’s may be.

In the prisoner - of - war camp at Argyle Street , conditions were very primitive and most unsuitable for the nursing of long - term cases . Nevertheless , it was only possible to transfer patients to one of the hospitals at very infrequent intervals . While at Argyle Street , the Principal Medical Officer operated on four cases of perforated duodenal ulcer and two of acute appendicitis . 

I wrote my monthly 25 word postcard to you on Friday and I do hope you are receiving these postcards from me. I am looking forward to receiving a recent date letter from you just to let me know how you are getting on, I keep hoping.

Brown / Alton

Patty Mace / Jenner

Showery.

Ground rice for bread.

Raffle (24)

Talk with Himsworth pm. Saw Steve after. Plenty rumours re parcels  & allowance.

No news.

Americans to be repatriated.

Fine, showery.

Chopped firewood.

No luck in raffle.

No news. Italian offensive began 11th.

Formosan guards (4) arrested for “trading”.

Hattori in Camp.

With Steve pm.

Bowling season opened.

Marked money under question?

Unattached women to be medically examined again re repat. list.

Dr Siegfried Szarfstein-Ramler is arrested in town. The reason isn't known, but he's taken to Central Police Station. He's held for about 27 days, and beaten by a Gendarme. He gives medical treatment to Gendarmes and prisoners, and he sees signs of torture on the prisoners. He will be present when a member of the HKVDC jumps to his death to avoid further torture.

Source:

China Mail: July 10, 1947, page 2; August 2, 1947, page 11

((Following text not dated:))

Kotewall pays Y100 for April.

Price our crystal. Shop says have plenty and market bad. Our good piece English worth only Y50. Must sell something. How do we live? Unreasoning hatred of those better off, particularly eating well. Sold tea set at Y250. Also sofa and two smaller armchairs at Y900.

Close, showery.

Ground rice for bread.

Aft. Canteen 31.

Germans evacuated Crimea 13th & advance made by us in Italy, per Jap paper.

With Steve pm.

no news.

Choir practice.

Oh! for a good square meal, plain & plenty. I wonder if next May 16th  I’ll be wishing for the same thing.

Communique about "Formosan guards trading with certain internees"

Letter from R.of.I. to Hattori on rations; report by Mr. Newbigging, C.S.O., & report by M.O. Nutrition (Dean Smith) read in Blocks

Showery.

Hattori asked Gimson to assist him in finding the internees involved in trading with the Formosans. Gimson declined to do so & called a meeting of District Chairmen this am. D.Cs endorsed Gimson’s decision. The next move is with Hattori.

No war news in Jap paper today which indicates what they want to hide, good news for us.

Japs carried out gun practice aft.

Chopped fire-wood.  

With Steve pm.

Estimated number of Anglo-US air-bases in China, 70.

Alan G.J. Weir born.

Birth of Alan Gordon James Weir to Arthur Gordon and Margaret Winifred Grace Weir.

Alan Weir lived later in Carlisle, close to the English Lake District.

Birth - Mr. + Mrs. Gordon Weir, a son

X Hattori's order re. trading "Apologise, promise not infringe"

Rained nearly all day.

Ground rice for bread.

Rec. letter from Dad Mar.43, Hilda Mar.43, & Marj Jun.43.

Details of malnutrition, rations & a covering letter sent to Swiss Minister in Tokyo.

Order from Hattori arising from “trading” demands that all Internees involved shall write a letter of apology & promise not to infringe again, letters to be in by noon 20th.

Made mosquito cover for Christine.

Two families of the Dutch bankers interned about a year ago get into a fight over space allocation in their room. One of the men will be summoned before the camp court on May 25 and accused of punching the other repeatedly in the face. But there are counter-claims of assault and the court's judgement has not been preserved.

Source:

Hong Kong PRO, HKRS163-1-303