110
The revenue from the lease of Market premises shews an increase of $4,619, distributed fairly evenly among all the Markets with the exception of the Tai-kok- tsui Market, where an increase in business is not to be looked for just yet, and the Des Voeux Road Market. The latter is not a complete success from a revenue point of view. At the end of 1903 there were 32 shops and stalls occupied out of 42; at the end of 1904 there were only 10. The revenue for the month of December fell from $245 in 1903 to $75 in 1904. The extension to the Wanchai Market was ready for occupation on the 1st April. All the stalls with one exception are let, and the revenue for December was $322, compared with $219 for the same month of the
pre- vious year. The increased accommodation provided in the So-kon-po Market is still considerably in excess of the needs of the neighbourhood, which is not a very popu lous one, whilst restaurant and eating-house keepers and those who have to feed a large number of employés, get their supplies from the Wanchai Market despite the distance. Licences for the sale of food outside the Markets are issued by the Sani- tary Board and account for an increase of $2,313.
The largest decrease is one of $2,900 under the head of Certificates to Chinese entering Manila and America, but this is an itern which is not under the control of this Department. The revenue from boat licences has been almost stationary for three years.
The revenue from Marriages has fallen 37 per cent.
The total expenditure during the year was $31,339.71, compard with $35,150.21 in 1903. The decrease is due to no salary being drawn in England during the year, and to the rise in exchange. There was also in 1903 an exceptional expenditure on salaries of temporary clerks.
The actual expenditure fell short of that estimated by $4,266, of which $2,852. comes under the head of Exchange Compensation, the balance being divided among eight items.
2.
Po LEUNG KUK INCORPORATION ORDINANCE.
(No. 6 of 1893.)
WOMEN AND GIRLS' PROTECTION ORDINANCE.
(No. 4 of 1897.)
Tables.
II (A). Return shewing the Number of Women and Girls admitted to the Po Leung Kuk during the year 1904 and the arrangements made regarding them.
II (B). Return shewing the Number of Women and Girls detained under warrant after enquiry in the Registrar General's Office and the arrangements made regarding them.
II (C). Return shewing the Number of Emigrants detained under warrant by the Registrar General and the arrangements made regarding them.
II (D)-Return giving Particulars regarding Girls who are required to report themselves to the Registrar General.
II (E).-Return shewing the Number of Persons reported to the Po Leung Kuk as missing and of those who have been reported as recovered during the year 1904.
The tables giving parculars regarding the women and girls who came under the protection of the Regist. General are arranged somewhat differently this year, and so as to shew how many were detained under warrant and how many were not.
One unsatisfactory feature of the returns is the number of women (53 per cent.). who are unconditionally released after a period of detention. These women may be devided into four classes-(1) girls who have been trained to lead an immoral life but who appear to be too young to be considered free agents; (2) grown up women mostly widows and servants who have just commenced to lead an immoral life; (3) grown up women believed to be entering on an immoral life under com-