Tsunekichi Hameguchi to Office of the Custodian, 18 December 1944

Tsunekichi Hameguchi to Office of the Custodian, 18 December 1944

Copy for Mr. Shears
C/o Sorg Pulp Co. Ltd., Taylor Lake Siding, B. C. December 18, 1944.
Office of the Custodian, 506 Royal Bank Building, Vancouver, B. C. Attention of the Administration Department Sirs:
Re: Your File No. 4932.
Acknowledge receipt your letters dated the 8th of July and 6th inst., both of which I received a few days ago, and I may state that I was certainly surprised to have learned that my property had been sold irrespective of my permission to do so, by the "custodian". Such action I deem it as irresponsible on the part of your Office, since as your name implies that you are the "custodian".
The reason why my answer was delayed was that you have addressed the letter of July 8th to Ashcroft, B.C., whereas as you can no doubt notice, I have relocated to the above address.
Upon perusing the statement of sale, I find that you have sold my property at ridiculously low price of $515.00, which I consider in slang term as "highway robbery". On the same statement, compiled by your Mr. George Peters, I find an amount of $27.10, with no explanation and on the debit side. Will you please enlighten me as to why such an amount has been charged to me.
I also find that you have been renting my house to some party without my permission. Your action as far as I am concerned I find it just as distasteful as the sale of my property.
I further find on your itemized statement series of auction sales. Will you please send me a detailed list of goods sold plus selling prices.
Will you also please let me know what had happened to the merchandise I had in my store, which you stated in one of your letters that you had stored in your warehouse.
Further to the above, please notify me as to my household furnitures. Some of the furniture had been recently acquired and had not even been used once. In one of the chiffoniers, I had packed all my mechanic's tools and equipments, can you inform me what had happened to this, too? If my tools are still in your possession, please let me know as I have immediate uses for them.
Your early attention to the above matters will be greatly appreciated.
Yours truly, Sp. Jp. Reg. No. 02298

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Tsunekichi Hameguchi to Office of the Custodian, 18 December 1944

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Encoder: Ariel Merriam
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Terminology

Readers of these historical materials will encounter derogatory references to Japanese Canadians and euphemisms used to obscure the intent and impacts of the internment and dispossession. While these are important realities of the history, the Landscapes of Injustice Research Collective urges users to carefully consider their own terminological choices in writing and speaking about this topic today as we confront past injustice. See our statement on terminology, and related sources here.