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Copy.
Detail of Case.
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Wong Chi-lan, a girl now aged 12, was presented by her mother Tong Ho Shi 4 years ago to a woman Lam Leung Shi. A deed was written of which a translation is attached), Leung Shi paid 190 er 896 to the mother.
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For the last 4 years the girl has lived with the Lam family and has evidently from her appearance been well looked after.
In January 1923 the mother petitioned the Secretary for Chinese Affairs to help her to get her daughter back, saying she had offered £110 to Lam Leung Chi who, however, demanded $172.
I saw both parties and the girl. The girl loudly declined to go back to her mother, She said she was very happy with Lam Leung Shi.
There was quite a scene when her mother reproached her. It was clear that the girl did not expect such a comfortable home with her mother as with the Lam family. I referred the matter to the Po Leung Kuk Committee for advice. They reported that the girl stremmously refused to return to her mother. A translation of their letter is attached.
I then invited the Chairman to my office where we again urged the girl to go to her mother, talking much of daughterly duty. At this meeting the mother of her own accord produced $150, but no mention of money me made either by the Chairman or myself or by Lam Leung Shi.
Finally we persuaded the girl to go with her mother, who at once handed the £150 to Lam Leung Shi who took it, end the parties left.
2nd May, 1923.
(5d.) AZ. Wood,
Chief Assistant to Secretary for Chinese Affaire.