conclusion of the prosecution in each caso.
124
in In two cases, in both of which the players were
thoroughly respectable, the girls were entrusted to their care, but not as muitsai, and were allowed to remain in the
Colony.
5. In two cases in which there was strong suspicion that the girls concerned were muitasi, but in which the alleged employers claimed to be the natural mother and mother-in-law respectively, charges of ill-treatment 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's
imprisonment and a further fine of 25.
7. The registered muployers of muitoni have montinued to report changes of status, return to parents, etc. of
their muitsai. All reporte 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. Lost cases of non-registration or alleged ill- treatment came to the notice of the Secretary for Chinese Affairs through the Police, all stations exercising very considerable vigilance. Several reports were made by the
girls concerned, or by persons on their behalf, direct to the Secretariat. One case of ill-treatment was reported through the Hong Kong Society for the protection of Children, but the alleged waployer could not be traced. Nine reports were made by the Hong Kong Anti-uitoai Society, of which only two could be presseded with these being on charges of
non-registration. Convictions were obtained in beth onses.
The