Year 1950
Seven Chinese Students Appeal Hearings
Tuesday, 12th October 1954
Appeal hearings for seven Chinese-medium school students. They were convicted of "obstructing the police" during a May 13 demonstration in connection with National Service. They are represented by defence counsel Mr. D. N. Pritt, QC and assisted by junior counsel Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. Eventually the appeal dismissed. Conviction of the Chinese-medium school students upheld and they have to serve their three-month prison terms.
National Service Riots
Thursday, 13th May 1954
Students at a number of Chinese schools demonstrated against the British government's decision to make young men, age 18-20, do part-time military service. The students were unwilling to defend a foreign government which they wanted to drive out of Singapore. The demonstration led to rioting and the police had to put down on the riot.
Rendel Commission Established
Sunday, 1st November 1953
A Constitutional Commission under Sir George Rendel was established. The Rendel Commission recommended a new constitution with automatic voter registration, and a mainly elected Legislative Assembly of 32 members. This Constitution came into effect in 1955. The Rendel Commission thus paved the way to April 1955 elections.
John Nicoll Appointed as Singapore Governor
Monday, 21st April 1952
Sir John Fearns Nicoll was appointed Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Singapore from 21 April 1952 to 2 June 1955.
Maria Hertogh Riots
Monday, 11th December 1950
18 people were killed and 173 were injured during the Maria Hertogh riots. For three days, mobs of Malay and Indian Muslim rioters attacked any European and Eurasian in sight. They set up barricades along major roads, set cars and houses on fire and took control of districts in the vicinity of Sultan Mosque, North Bridge Road and Jalan Besar. Rioting was stopped only after two troops of the Internal Security Battalion were called in, supported by several Malays within the troops. Even so, scattered attacks continued over two days. A 24-hour curfew had to be imposed for two weeks before the Constabulary regained control of the situation.
Malayan Emergency
Friday, 18th June 1948
Malayan Emergency begins, Singapore declared a State of Emergency a week later.
Singapore Legislative Council 1st General Election
Sunday, 21st March 1948
The Legislative Council General Elections was the first election to be held in Singapore when six of the 22 seats on the Legislative Council were open for popular voting, albeit only for British subjects. The election was announced on 1 February, and nominations were due by 15 February. The campaign period lasted for 31 days. Municipal North-East (two seats) won by John Laycock and Mohamed Javad Namazie. Municipal South-West (two seats) won by Tan Chye Ching and Nazir Bin Abdul Mallal. Rural East won by Sardon Bin Haji Zubir. Rural West won by S. C. Goho.
Japanese Military Officer Hanged
Thursday, 26th June 1947
The British authorities in Singapore held a war crimes trial for the perpetrators of the Sook Ching Massacre. Seven Japanese officers including Lieutenant-Colonel Masayuki Oishi were charged with the execution of the massacre. Oishi received the death penalty and was hanged.
Singapore became separate Crown Colony
Monday, 1st April 1946
Singapore became a separate Crown Colony with a civil administration headed by a Governor. Sir Franklin Charles Gimson was appointed Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Singapore from 1 April 1946 to 20 March 1952. He abolished the military government which was set up by Lord Mountbatten and reinstalled the colonial civil government.
The Straits Settlements dissolved
Sunday, 31st March 1946
Singapore was temporarily administered by the British Military Administration from 12 September 1945 to 31 March 1946. The British Military Administration proclaimed that all Japanese Proclamations and Decrees ceased to have effect, and that "all laws and customs existing immediately prior to the Japanese occupation will be respected". The British Military Administration came to an end and the Straits Settlements were disbanded.
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