C 39
Annexe A.
REPORT OF THE PO LEUNG KUK FOR THE YEAR 1909.
The following twelve gentlemen were elected on the 20th March to act as Managing Committee for the year 1909 :-
1.--Chan Shüt-ngám. 2.-Chau Cheuk-fán. 3.-Chiu Seung-shang. 4.-Choa Leep Chee. 5.-Lam Shau-ting. 6.-Lau Sing-chai.
7.-Leung Ping-nám. 8.-Li Yau-tsün. 9.—Na Hang-chau. 10.-Mok Yeuk-lim. 11.-Ng Hon-tsz. 12.-Tam Hok-po.
The Board has to regret the loss by death of Mr. Pun Yan-tsün who had been a member since 1906. The vacancy has not been filled, as the number of members was one in excess of the prescribed number.
The balance to the credit of the Society on the 31st December was $20,116 compared with $19,390 at the close of 1908. Of this sum $15,000 are placed on fixed deposit with five Chinese banks. The actual expenditure for the year was $10,282 compared with $8,919 in the previous year. There was an increased expenditure of $745 on food and the grant to the Eyre Diocesan Refuge was $900 as against $250. The subscriptions collected during the year amounted to $8,392 as against $9,017 in 1908. The interest on the money on fixed deposit falls due according to the Chinese calendar, and this accounts for its being $2,062 compared with only $133 last year.
The Visiting Justices, Mr. Bryer and Mr. Chau Siu-ki, have paid twelve visits to the Po Leung Kuk. On one occasion only did they receive a complaint which was reported to the Governor and duly investigated.
Nine meetings of the Permanent Board of Direction have been held. The average attendance of members was seven, and the average number of the Managing Committee present was between five and six. Among subjects of more general interest that were discussed was the building of quarters at Causeway Bay in which to house those girls whom it was impossible for one reason or another to release after only a short detention. The Board thought the expenditure would be useless, as any cases where longer detention was considered necessary were always sent to the Convent or to the Eyre Diocesan Refuge.
The Board was also invited to express an opinion as to the circumstances which in their opinion justified a Chinese girl's parents in breaking off a betrothal in a case where the fiancé has left the country and the prospect of consummating the marriage seems remote, and certain conditions on which such a betrothal might be cancelled were approved.
The appearance of the women's quarters has been much improved by removing the netting over the windows fixed there to guard against illicit communication with people outside; to prevent any interference with the Society's wards a watchman has been engaged to patrol the street. Arrangements have been made for the matron taking the children to walk in Blake Gardens once a week.
The Eyre Diocesan Refuge has been visited by two or more members of the Managing Committee.