A Masuhara to Office of the Custodian Department of the Secretary of the State, 04 March 1947

A Masuhara to Office of the Custodian Department of the Secretary of the State, 04 March 1947

Copy for Mr. Shears
Mar 4/47 365 King St. W., Toronto, Ont.
File No. 9053
Department of the Secretary of the State.
Dear Sir:
Having seen your letter & cheque but I'm refusal to accept the cheque until the government to remedy the injustice. My property 3798 E. Hastings St. Lots 10, Blk. 9 of N. pt. of Lot 116, Map 1236, Municipality of Burnaby . The most busy business district of Vancouver Height which was sold by the Custodian at price far below actual worth.
My land & Building at 3798 E. Hastings St. we (family) first moved in 1937 (25 x 30) only a broken down small building with out any separate rooms or basement the garden was stone and garbage & full of brush. After I bought the place had the whole place changed. The rooms put in floors, partitions, doors, walls, and ceiling all renewed & painted and I made basement concreted and a lighting put in pipes back of store. In 38 built 14 x 28 house with three rooms and garage & connect electricity in pipe all over the house in 40 built the storehouse West side of the building & cleared the back yard and made lovely garden with lovely many flowers & bulbs by gardener. I have spent lots lots of money for the place.
The Custodian was authorized under the War measure act to dispose of my property without authorization from the property owner.
Sales price of my property by Custodian was absurdly low I imagine at about 25 per cent of estimated value (land & building garage etc.) I sincerly hope the injustice will be remedied.
Yours truly Thanking you

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A Masuhara to Office of the Custodian Department of the Secretary of the State, 04 March 1947

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Encoder: Josie Gray
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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.