MINUTES
MINUTES NOT TO BE WRITTEN ON THIS SIDE.
No 332.
372
58793
3 DEC 23
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONGKONG. 20th October, 1923.
My Lord Duke,
110
39818
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of
Your Grace's despatch No.192 of the 24th of August with regard to the alleged ill-treatment of a girl by the Chinese manager of
a rice firm.
2.
The case in question was tried on 6th June, 1923, by the First Police Magistrate, end the evidence given showed that the girl, aged about 17, who claimed to be a relative of one of the concubines of the accused, and who was not a "mui tsai but a paid servant, had been tied up for some hours by the wrists and had also been beaten on the body. The defendant's solicitor pleaded guilty but urged in extenuation that the girl was accused of having stolen two diamond rings.
The Magistrate sentenced the defendant to three. months hard labour and ordered him to pay $50.00 compensation to the girl with the alternative of an additional month in prison.
After the conclusion of the case the girl returned
to her adopted mother, and enquiries have been made of the neighbours who state that the girl is contented and well looked after. At present she is on a visit to Chinese territory with
her adopted mother.
I have the honour to be,
My Lord Duke,
Your Grace's most obedient
humble servant,
B. E. Stabbs
Governor, &c.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE, K.G.,
&c..
&c.,
&c.