HONG KONG, 1901.
17
and of these 12 have become qualified licentiates, who have obtained various posts under Government and elsewhere. The institution is of great value in spreading a knowledge of Western medical science amongst the Chinese.
(D.) PO LEUNG KUK.
This is a Society, under the supervision of Government, for the protection of women and children. It has done much good work in connection with the suppression of brothel slavery, which was in Hong Kong, and still is in China, one of the gravest social evils. If the Registrar-General, who acts as president of the Society, has reason to believe that a girl is being sold into a life of prostitution against her will, or if she is, in his opinion, of too tender an age to judge for herself as to her mode of life, she is sent into the Po Leung Kuk, where she is fed, lodged, and, unless she has relatives who will receive her, appropriately educated until she has an opportunity of making a respectable marriage or of earning an honest livelihood by her own exertions. The institution is managed by a number of Chinese gentlemen who are annually elected as a Managing Committee,
The number of women and children admitted into the Home during the year was 389, being 52 more than in 1900. 187 were restored direct to parents or relatives or were sent to some benevolent society in China, 3 were adopted, 5 placed at school, and 50 were married.
(E.) REFORMATORY.
The Belilios Reformatory, presented to the Colony by Mr. E. R. Belilios, C.M.G., has not been occupied. It has been proposed to make use of the building, with the donor's consent, by turning it into a school. The matter is at present under consideration.
(F.) SAVINGS BANK.
There is no Post Office Savings Bank in Hong Kong. A branch of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation takes the place of such an institution in this Colony.
(G.) POLICE.
The total strength of the Police Force, which stood at 630 in 1898, 827 in 1889, and 929 in 1900, now stands at 920, including 145 Europeans, 366 Indians and 409 Chinese. The gradual diminution in armed robberies and lawlessness in the New Territory made it possible to withdraw a number of men from that part of the Colony during the year to strengthen the force in the city of Victoria and Kowloon. The executive staff now consists of a Captain Superintendent, a Deputy Superintendent, and two Assistant Superintendents. The conduct of all the contingents is reported to have been satisfactory.
12765
B
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