R G Bell to Mr. Macer Okamoto, 21 March 1945

R G Bell to Mr. Macer Okamoto, 21 March 1945

Copy for Mrs. Harrop.
495 & 485.
Cat. No. 877.
March 21st, 1945.
Mr. Macer Okamoto,
Registration No. 10092,
562 Dougall Avenue, Windsor, Ontario. Dear Sir:
Re: Lots 9 and 10, in Block "B", of Section 50, Victoria District, Plan 1257 .
We are in receipt of your letter of the 12th instant and note that neither you nor your brother desire to sell the above property, which you hold as Joint Tenants.
The policy of liquidation of properties in the protected areas of British Columbia was decided by the Dominion Government and the catalogue issued at this time last year, in which your property is listed under No. 877, was issued in conformity with instructions from Ottawa.
In spite of advertising and the efforts of real estate agents during this period of more than usually active interest in and demand for real property, no acceptable bid for your property has so far been received.
A bid to be acceptable must be in line with the value indicated by a qualified independent appraiser and we must, therefore, conclude that the appraised value ($175.00) of this vacant parcel of land is considered by the buying public to be somewhat high.
While it is appreciated that the sale of property is a matter of personal concern to, and may in some cases be contrary to the wishes of, the owner, we are confident that in carrying out the Government's policy this office is taking every precaution to protect owners' interests by obtaining prices that adequately represent the current value of the properties they are selling.
Your letter will be on file as a record of your protest against the sale of your property but we trust that the above explanation will enable you to appreciate that your interests are being safe-guarded. You will be kept advised and if and when the property is sold a complete statement of the transaction will be forwarded to you as soon as final adjustments are made.
Yours truly, Administration Department. RGR/P.

Metadata

Title

R G Bell to Mr. Macer Okamoto, 21 March 1945

Credits

Encoder: Ariel Merriam
Publication Information: See Terms of Use for publication and licensing information.

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.