226
The number of runaway maid servants remains nearly the same, 22 as against 25 in 1904. 52 women and girls were sent to the Convents, to Schools or to the Refuge, as against 19 in 1904. This is evidence of a more liberal feeling on religious matters among the Chinese A new Table has been added to the report giving particulars regarding girls sent to the Italian Convent or to Miss EYRE's Refuge under the authority of section 35 of Ordinance 4 of 1897. Under this section a girl may be detained by the warrant of the Registrar General for two years or more in a Place of Refuge, and the publication of some return seems advisable.
The numbers of girls added to the list of those required to report themselves once a year or oftener was 7, as against 18 added in 1904. This is on the face of it satisfactory as it seems to mean that the number of young girls brought into the Colony for an immoral purpose is less than it was. The Registrar General is justified in requiring substantial security from the guardians in these cases, as the girls can be sold for very large sums.
Some insubordination among the inmates of the Po Leung Kuk shewed the necessity for amending the rules made under the Women and Girls Protection Ordinance, and on the 11th of September new rules were made by the Governor in Council for the places of refuge mentioned in the Women and Girls Protection Ordinance and for the women and girls residing therein.
The Italian Convent and Miss EYRE's Refuge are now declared to be places of refuge under the Ordinance and any doubt as to the legality of the Registrar General placing girls in them is removed.
Whilst the inmates of the Po Leung Kuk are as a rule perfectly amenable to discipling it was felt advisable that express powers of control and punishment should be given to
managers.
(ii.)—Po Leung Kuk Incorporation Ordinance, No. 6 of 1893.
The report of the Society, for the year 1905, will be found in Appendix A to this Report
The Permanent Board of Directors consists of the following members :---
Ex-Officio Members:-
The Registrar General.
The two Chinese Members of Legislative Council.
Other Members ::
1. Chan Pan Po, appointed 26th June, 1893.
2. Lau Shai Chak
""
"J
3. Leung Pui Chi
27
"2
4. Ip Oi Shan
"
14th August, 1896.
ăn Li Sau Hin
"}
17th July, 1897.
6. Ku Fai Shan
26th October, 1905.
.. Chịu Chau Sam 8. (Vacant.)
1+
23rd November, 1905.
3.--Emigration.
Chinese Emigration Ordinance, No. 1 of 1889.
(See Tables III a and b.)
Out of 11,231 persons examined by the Registrar General before embarkation, 78 or 0.69 per cent. were detained for enquiries, as against 135 or 1.2 per cent. in 1904. Of these, 27 or 34 per cent. were ultimately allowed to leave without any order being made, as against 55 per cent in 1904.
A return is inserted in this Report showing the occupations of female emigrants. Servant or seamstress is the usual occupation given by single women. Only two describe themselves as miners, but I understand many more go in gangs to get work in the tin mines,
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