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me, and I have had often a belief that some poor girl was befooled, but she would not own to it, and the freedom of the subject prevents one doing anything. The aid of the Poker Kuk, at Hong Kong
and if there is a kindred institution at Singapore, a if not the Governor there might suggest one to the Chinese must be chiefly relied on.
ard
This leads me to say that I am glad to see that the Governor is supporting Lockhart in encouraging the Pobreng Kuk, and if I might venture to suggest it I think that a sympathetic despatch from the Secre- tary of State to the Governor which he could send then a copy of, expressing his recognition of the good work they have done and are capable of doing towards the protection of women and children, would have a most beneficial effect. There are numbers of Chinese now in the Colony who know English and English ways, and the expression of a little more confidence in them, especially coming from the head of the Colonial Gover- ment, would strengthen the hands of the Governor and advance the good object, I know numbers of Chinese whose singlemindedness in such works of benevolence is beyond all doubt. But they are a timid people
and a few words of praise from London Colonial Office
are looked upon as they would look upon a touch of
*the vernilian pencil" from Peking.
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