conclusion of the prosecution in each ease.
117
In two cases, in both of which the employers were
thoroughly respectable, the girls were entrusted to their
but not as muitsai, and were allowed to remain in the
Colony.
6. In two cases in which there was strong suspicion
that the girls concerned were quitsei, but in which the
alleged employers claimed to be the natural mother and
mother-in-law respectively, charges of ill-treataent were
brought under the offences against the Person Ordinance
(No. 2 of 1865), The first failed through lack of direct
evidence of assault, but in the second a conviction was
obtained and the defendant was sentenced to one month
imprisonment and a further fine of 25.
The registered employers of muitsai have continued
to report changes of status, return to parents, etc. of
their muitai. All reports of disappearance have been
very carefully investigated, and to these, the observations
in paragraph 9 of my despatch No. 622 of 4th December, 1930,
are equally applicable.
8. Most cases of non-registration or alleged ill-
treatment came to the notice of the beeretary for Chinese Affairs through the Folice, all stations exercising very considerable vigilance.
Several reports were made by the
girls concerned, or by persons on their behalf, direcat to
the Bearetariat. One case of ill-treatment was reported
through the Hong Kong Society for the Frotection of Children,
but the alleged employer could not be traced. Kine reports
were made by the Hong Kong Anti-Muitsai Society, of which
only two could be proceeded with these being on charges of
non-registration. Convictions were obtained in both cases»
The