Year 1963

Places

Heavy Rain Brought Flood to Henderson Road District

Monday, 3rd November 1958

More than 1,000 people were fed by the Social Welfare Department after widespread floods hit various parts of Singapore today. Hardest hit was the Henderson Road and Red Hill District, where hundreds of attap houses were flooded, making cooking and eating impossible. More than two inches of rain fell in Singapore between 11 am and 2 pm. At least one life was lost – that of a boy, who was swept down a monsoon drain. In 1954, a similar incident happened in Tiong Bahru Area.


Christmas Island was detached from Singapore

Wednesday, 1st October 1958

Christmas Island was detached from Singapore with Singapore's independence imminent. The British Government transferred Christmas Island to Australia. This day is celebrated on Christmas Island as "Territory Day". Singapore was given 2.9 million pounds (S$20 million) as compensation.


Transfer Administration of Christmas Island To Australia

Monday, 10th June 1957

After World War II in 1945, Christmas Island was placed under the administration of the Colony of Singapore. Phosphate was discovered, leading to a booming mining industry which required large number of labourers from Singapore. The British proposed the transfer of Christmas Island to Australia. Taking consideration of the losses in phosphate mining, Australia compensated the self-government of Singapore a total of 2.9 million pounds. This event contributed indirectly to the political downfall of Second Chief Minister of Singapore Lim Yew Hock, who was blamed by the public for not trying hard enough in securing the sovereignty of Christmas Island.


Chinese Middle Schools Riots

Wednesday, 24th October 1956

The students camped at Chung Cheng High School and Chinese High School. They organised meetings and held demonstrations. This went on for about two weeks. The government issued an ultimatum that the schools be vacated. As the deadline approached, rioting started at the Chinese High School. The riots spread to other parts of the island. They lasted five days. 13 people were killed and more than 100 were injured. Hundreds of people were arrested, including Lim Chin Siong.


Merdeka Bridge Opened

Friday, 17th August 1956

Nicoll Highway and its linking Merdeka Bridge, located in the Central Region of Singapore, were declared open by Chief Minister Lim Yew Hock, amid much ceremony on 17 August, 1956. Nicoll Highway was named after former Governor of Singapore Sir John Nicoll.


Johore Jungle Strike

Saturday, 25th February 1956

Australian Bomber Squadron based in Tengah Air Base rained 33 tons of bombs into a communist jungle hideout in Kluang, Southern Johore, killing 13 terrorist including their leader Goh Peng Tuan. The bombing also sends the terrorist bands on the run, scattered them into the arms of waiting patrols.


Indian Pilot Performed Aerobatics Over Paya Lebar

Friday, 16th December 1955

Indian Air Force Squadron Leader B.K. Ghosh in a display of aerobatics at the newly opened Paya Lebar Airport. The Hindustan Aircraft Limited (HAL) HT-2, an all metal basic trainer, is on a tour of Eastern Asia.


Asia Insurance Building Officially Opened

Monday, 10th October 1955

Asia Insurance Building officially opened with 20 storeys and at 87 metres tall, the Asia Insurance Building was the tallest building in Southeast Asia upon its completion in 1954. The Asia Insurance Building was named after its former namesake occupant, Asia Insurance, which is a Singaporean company incorporated on 11 July 1923. The Asia Insurance Building was designed by one of Singapore's pioneer architects, Ng Keng Siang. Ng was a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects, and designed the building after the prevailing Modern Movement. He also exhibited a strong liking for eclectic architectural styles.


Malcolm MacDonald Leave Singapore

Friday, 2nd September 1955

Mr. Malcolm MacDonald was in Singapore for nine year as Commissioner-General for South-East Asia. The Governor of Singapore, Sir Robert Black and Lady Black and Service Chiefs wait on the Paya Lebar Airport Tarmac. was honoured by a 100-man guard and the band of 1st Bn of The Queen's Royal Regiment with a large crowd singing "Auld Lang Syne".


Paya Lebar Airport Opened

Saturday, 20th August 1955

Singapore Paya Lebar International Airport with its imposing hangars and spacious passenger terminal was opened by Alan Lennox-Boyd, Secretary of State for Colonies. The first pilot to land at Singapore International Airport was First Officer Chan Soon Kin of Malayan Airways, who till then had clocked 8,000 flying hours to his credit. The Paya Lebar Airport replaces the Old Kallang Airport as Singapore's International Airport.


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