Phyllis Harrop writes in her diary:
There are still a large number of people living on the Peak who have not yet been interned...
Some of these, including the policeman Norman Gunning, his wife Nan, a nurse, and baby son Richard, avoid internment in the hotels completely and are sent straight to Stanley.
The Commander-in-Chief of Japanese forces invites distinguished Chinese to banquet at Peninsula Hotel. Time being short, individual invitations not sent, but list of invitees published totalling 137. Followed list of Chinese Justices of the Peace. To my relief, I not included.
Today moved to Nam King Hotel. Not allowed on or out or out of the Hotel.
Very dark, dirty and stinking.
Brushwood on hillsides S of Prison set alight today. Heard ammunition exploding. Went up to G Block again & got some photos of Rae. Framed her big one & now I can look up on the whole family. (Where are you tonight sweetheart, God Bless you both)
Bad cold. 300 more internees sent in to our hotel. The ARP men on 4th floor doubled up, and we ARP ladies left the 2nd floor for new arrivals and moved in with our men. While this was happening, the 300 newcomers were squashed on the staircases waiting to get in to a billet. I now shared a cubicle (and the bed) with Marjorie Cook. We got on quite well, considering.
No wind last night and slept fairly comfortably. When shall I sleep in a bed again. Thought hard about our plans last night and now feel we should go on the south side of the hills on account of the barbed wire.
In the Kowloon YMCA the day Edith Hamson has been longing for finally arrives:
Four excruciatingly long weeks passed and nothing happened to change our situation. There was no more fighting, no more bombing. We remained cooped inside the YMCA in crowded quarters with no news of the outside world....
Hongkong money still being accepted. But this day Japs making yen available from depot at Chartered Bank. Queue extended from the bank to Gloucester Hotel corner. Only ten yen allowed each person at rate of two HK dollars for one yen. No change available, so high denomination HK notes not accepted. The over-printed Chinese notes also rejected.
Quiet day, no events. Pile tells me he saw Blackie in the village. I hope it is right.
((Possibly C. S. Pile, a policeman.))
On January 4, 1942 notices appeared around town telling enemy nationals to report to the Murray Parade Ground on the next day. From there were taken to squalid hotel-brothels on the waterfront and held there until the last 10 days of January when they were shipped to the camp at Stanley. Many people didn’t see the notices or risked ignoring them, but it’s not clear why those in the Exchange Building, not far from the centre of things, weren’t affected.
The Norwegians are told by the Japanese Consul-General that they are to be considered enemies. Neverthless, they will not be sent to Stanley when it's opened later this month. ((See April 16, 1942.))
Source:
J. Krogh-Moe, 'A Brief Report of Stanley Internment Camp From A Norwegian Point of View', page 1, in Hong Kong PRO, HKRS163 1-104
Nephews Charlie and Fred arrested. Chinese policeman came to say they at Wanchai police station. I went police station. Told return with chopped letter from reputable Chinese shop to guarantee. Failed see the boys.
Niece Florrie had more luck finding policeman who took her see brothers in cell with wet floor, nowhere to sit and no food supplied. Later took chair, some sacks, blankets, food and flask of tea.
16% gone. Churchill said 3 months - I have given him 100 days which expire the day before my birthday - 16 now gone so we hope on. Good news still comes through - someone some place - I don't know where still has a battery driven set and he gets the news which is then passed round.
Quiet. 5 or 6 Japs taking over A Block. Rained.
D. L. Newbigging and J. D. Thompson, two of the directors of the Dairy Farm, write a letter to Mr. Tokito of the Japanese Civil Authorities calling attention to the neglect suffered by the dairy herd and asking for the matter to be given attention.
Source:
Nigel Cameron, The Milky Way: The History of Dairy Farm, 1986, 140
Approached substantial citizens to beg for letter certifying nephews respectable and no political affiliations. No success. Finally, neighbour’s brother with shop agreed write letter and affix chop. Charlie and Fred released after lecture - "wash yourselves of everything British and dress and speak Chinese."
Before arrest were stopped by Japanese officer who questioned in perfect English -
"What sort of people are you?"
"Chinese," said Fred.
"What is your name?"
"Wong."
"How do you write it?"
Day off. Walked around outside of Prison & mooched around generally. Japs in interrogating Pris’s.
Medical Dept (?) have started to send bread daily - one slice each with butter or jam ((this was in addition to our simple basic rations)). Also porridge.
Wedding – Dr Dean Abbott Smith / Catherine Purves – Q.M.Hospital (Mackenzie Dow)
Hongkong notes have been legal tender only up to $10 denomination. To-day permitted to use larger denominations as temporary measure. Shops accept at half value.
((Following text not dated:))
Sanitary Department truck appears with two Europeans. Their crew removed one great heap of garbage. With reduction of garbage, flies seemed fewer, but relief temporary. Neighbours continued dump in streets, and large heap forming at our front gate.