[LXXI]
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but, that some means should be found to check the actions of the members of the Léung Kuk in future, thereby, that it may not stand in its name only. At present if it is allowed to carry on as it is, I consider it is more mischief done than protection.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Yours faithfully,
TSAU WAN.
II.
Précis of papers connected with case of Tsau Kung-wan and his concubine.
On the 7th December, 1891, a Chinese girl named CHEUNG LUK, aged 15, and a woman named CHEUNG T'SING, aged 51, in whose charge she was, were brought to the Registrar General's Office from the S.S. Fushun by Inspector HORTON who was duly authorised to go on board that steamer. They both expressed their willingness to pass that night in the Pó Léung Kuk that an opportunity might be given for making enquiries. They were accordingly sent to the Pó Léung Kuk,† and the next day were brought to the Registrar General's Office. After being questioned the girl CHEUNG LUK was sent to the Pó Leung Kuk, the Committee being asked to take care of her until her mother had been communicated with. On the 10th CHEUNG LAU SHI, the mother of CHEUNG Luk, came from Canton to the Pó Leung Kuk, § and, on learning the circumstances of CHEUNG LUK'S detention, returned the same day to Canton. The next day she returned with a written statement (Enclosure A) in which she stated that she was the mother of CHEUNG LUK and wife of CHEUNG SHAM, master of the "Sham Kei" paper-box shop in Canton. In order to defray the expenses attendant on the illness of her husband, they had been com- pelled to pledge their daughter for fifty taels to a marriage-broker, who had ultimately arranged her marriage as fifth concubine with TSAU KUNG-WAN, chief clerk in the Chinese Customs, Hankow, for $290, the greater part of which sum had been expended in paying the loan and in expenses connected with the marriage. Now she had heard that TSAU KUNG-WAN was much older than was originally stated and that CHEUNG TSING on return- ing from Shanghai had brought back a girl whom TSAU KUNG-WAN had refused to take as his concubine, and she desired that her daughter should he given back to her.
On the 12th the directors of the Pó Léung Kuk reported || that CHEUNG LUK positively refused to go to Hankow. They enclosed in their letter a copy of a statement made by CHEUNG TSING (see Pó Leung Kuk letter No. 363) in which she said that she was the fourth wife of TSAU KUNG-WAN and that her husband was 63 years old and had married seven wives. As CHEUNG LUK, on being brought before the Registrar General, persisted in her refusal to go to Hankow, she was sent back to the Pó Léung Kuk, ¶ and given into the charge of her mother on the 24th December. **
On the 30th of the same month CHEUNG LAU SHI appeared once more at the Pó Leung Kuk. She said that the bridal present on the occasion of her daughter's marriage had been $230, and produced $200 which she asked the directors to hand to CHEUNG T'SING, explaining that she had deducted $30 as the value of the clothes provided for her daughter, which had been kept by CHEUNG T'SING. On the 2nd February CHEUNG T ́SING, TSAU WAN-KUK, a distant relative of TSAU KUNG-WAN, and CHEUNG LAU SHI came to the Pó Leung Kuk. The sum of $200 was accepted and the ceremonial cards were cancelled and returned to CHEUNG LAU SHI. CHEUNG LUK was afterwards married to an acquaint- ance of her father's, a Chinese doctor named WONG NGOK-TING alias WONG FUK who had studied medicine under Dr. KERR at Canton, the marriage being arranged by her own parents.
* Inspector HORTON'S Report Book.
R. G. O. Letter No. 327.
R. G. O. Letter No. 328.
P. L. K. No. 201.
P. L. K. Letter No. 363. P. L. K. Letter No. 333. **P. L. K. Letter No. 84. †† P. L. K. No. 201.