KARIKAL CHRONICLE

No. 1 Thursday, February 19, 1942

Now that the new-born Camp of Karikal Mahal is settling down to something in
the nature of regular routine on its third day of occupation, we feel that the
publication of this small and humble sheet to disseminate such information as
is necessary and to record such day-to-day happenings as are of Interest, would
be welcomed by all and provide some useful service generally. There are bound
to be from time to time incidents with their touches of humour and these we
propose to record in as light and unmalicious a manner as possible, and we hope
that every one as his turn occurs to figure in this way, will accept the pub-
licity in the right spirit. We feel sure that every one will, enter into the
spirit of “Karikal Chronicle”, and we hope, too, that any items of news or
incidents of a light nature, which, may escape our notice, will be communicate
to us In order to make as complete a camp chronicle as possible.

Our first impression is the remarkable speed with which we have all settle
down to a new and simple, but rigorous, life. To-day finds the various
committees swinging into action, and the separate sections of the Houses doing
their chores not only willingly but enthusiastically, in order that their living
conditions generally may be as clean and wholesome as possible. The spectacle
of Singapore’s merchant princes, Malayan rubber and tin magnates, and the
Heaven-born themselves, scrubbing floors, cleaning out drains, picking up rub-
bish and bathing in their birthday suits, is something that has a most piquant
savour for even the most ketchil among us! I While it is necessary for them to
do it must be said, too, that they are doing it in a grand spirit with a smile
and with no recriminations, for they, like all of us, have stuck to
their posts and are taking the consequences like true sportsmen. Necessity
being the mother of invention, many who a short time ago juggled with minute
papers, rubber and tin prices, etc, are now juggling with their minds to put
waste and scrap to ingenious uses - quite apart from utilising everything
possible (includlng the illusions of the Malayan Magic Circle) to make life as
comfortable as circumstances permit. The success with which they are meeting
is obvious in every House. Good work, boys!

COOKS & GOOD BROTH Karikal Mahal is in the very fortunate position of
having among' lts residents stewards and cooks from the ill-fated Empress of Asia
They have willingly taken on the unenviable task of "Feeding the Five Thousand,
and if their culinary skill at such short notice is any criterion even the most
particular among us need not fear that we will be lacking in vitamins, even
though “some of us” may miss our four-course spreads, and decide that tea with-
out sugar is just as good to finish up our wholesome one-course dish as coffee
and liqueurs We feel sure that everyone will realise that the fare is dictated
by the exigencies of economy and such stores as are available. To the persons
who secured these stores the thanks of all in the camp are due, as well as to to
cooks for the good use to which they have been, and will be, put. We shall
certainly have more to tell you about our cooks later on.

HOUSES: The five houses in the compound are numbered 1,2,2 A, 3 4c 4, from right
to left beginning from those on the sea' front, The following comprise the House
Committees: HOUSE I – Dr. Penseller (chairman), Thompson, Ker and Leonard.
Conmunications Officer – Long. HOUSE 2 – C.E.Hudson (c),Bennett,Neilson &
Hogg. C.O.- Maratine. HOUSE 2A - Winter (e), Harris 4b Powell. C.O. – Chettle.
HOUSE 3: - Rev. Bennitt (c), Kitching, Foster & Vaux. C.O. - Dr, Bain. HOUSE 4 -
German (c),Edmonds 4c C.E.Smith. C.O. – Hackworthy.

LIAISON WITH JAPANESE ARMY: Communication with the Japanese Army is through a
Liaison Committee comprising representatives of the United Kingdom (A.W.W.Ker),
Australia & New Zealand (Col. C.E.Rae), United States & Canada (Rev. H.B.Amstutz)
& Other Countries (M. Hadjigirifalou), plus the five Communications Officers.
DISCIPLINE. ETC.: For general control and discipline of the Camp, the following
have been appointed: CAMP EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE - Commandant, Gen. I.M.Macrae;
Adjutant, T, Thompson; Members, the five House Presidents. This Committee will
meet daily at 11 a.m. CAMP DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE - Chairman, Gen. Macrae;
Secretary, H. Payne; Members, the five House Presidents. This Committee will meet
when necessary.

MEDICAL: Medical requirements are being looked after by the following: SANI-
TATION & HYGIENE: Dr. Calderwood, Dr. Simpson and Dr. Williams, who will obtain
fatigue parties from, the Houses to do the necessary work. DISPENSERS; Dr.Heron
& Dr. Smith. OSTEOPATH: Dr. McIntyre. DENTIST: Dr. Hanna. The latter four
have their quarters in House 2A.

LETTERS TO WIVES: Communication with wives in the Women’ s Internment Camp in
Singapore has been allowed by the Japanese Army. Letters should be handed to the
House Presidents for transmission.

CAMP BOUNDS: It is essential that the instructions of the Japanese Army
authorities be obeyed, and on no account should there be any attempt to by-pass
or evade them. This is particularly necessary in regard to camp boundaries,
which, although they have not yet been clearly defined, should be under-estimated
rather than over-estimated. Kok Chuan Road, adjacent to the Camp (running
between the two rows of new, but bombed, houses) has been declared out of bound

(Printed & Published at Karikal Mahal, Katong, by
H. Miller & G.H.Wade)