15 Jul 1942, Harry Ching's wartime diary

Police allegedly confiscating firewood above 50 catties and rice above 30 catties. 

Population according to registration about 1,100,000, regarded as under-estimate.

Story of woman at Italian Convent who bought pork. It jumped in the pan and scared her. They say human flesh jumps. 

To town to bank to get divvy. Collected $2,000. Fred gets big note changed for me at $75. To town for Eurasian flour ration, No sugar or oil. Sugar available at official shops on production of rice cards. Quarter catty per head monthly. Eurasians likely to get no more sugar in view of shop scheme. Oil at depot $2.80 per catty. Flour ration to be six catties per head per month. For several days nothing in market again. Kotewall warned me conditions would worsen. Meat in market all dark coloured and uninviting.

Sold bottle black label whisky at Y18. Shop prices double that. Also sold small electric fan at Y6.

Rumour Britons at Stanley circularised re evacuation. Radio says evacuation 1,400 Britons from Far East a month hence to Lourenco Marques. Japan, Thailand, Manchuria, China mentioned but not Hongkong or Singapore. Seems confirm no evacuation for British territories. To Septic to enquire. Little chance for us this being British place. Want people on spot. 

Demand for yen pushed value up to 3 to 1 in exchange, though shops don't like taking them. Later announcement says yen fixed at 4 to 1. Market prices double. General bewilderment and confusion. Shops more or less suspend business. Retailers ask before selling and if yen tendered price is higher. By end July yen situation quieter. Finance chief says money situation stabilised. 

Searchlights at night. Rumour Kamtin bombed. Doubtful, but nurses say wounded came in. Rumour also of bombs at Stanley. People in street rubber-necking Japanese plane. Not often seen lately.