C 15
The figures given on page 1 of the Report relating to the number of persons reported to the Po Leung Kuk as missing, is not the best indication of the prevalence of kidnapping. A number of the adults may have left their homes voluntarily. A safer indication will be the number of boys reported missing and not found again in Hongkong. For 1910, this number was 49 compared with 77 in 1909 and 33 in 1908. There is no doubt the crime is still prevalent. Two cases were detected through the agency of the District Watchmen Force and the kidnappers sentenced to 5 years imprisonment. In the one case, a boy aged six years was taken from Hongkong to Yaumati, in the other, two boys aged 16 were brought from China to Hongkong.
In this connection it may be noted that 16 stray children were taken to the Po Leung Kuk.
The kidnapping of children for sale must continue so long as the children can be disposed of for money in respectable families. The Chinese local Benevolent Societies often prove of great assistance in getting redress for the parents before a Chinese Court. In one case, however, the local Society though ready to negotiate for the father with the purchaser, would not assist him to prosecute a suit in a court of law; a representation was made on his behalf by this Government in the regular way to the Authorities at Canton, but the father tired of waiting, and finding his son was ailing, repurchased him for $120.
Kidnapping from the North has not yet ceased. Three children who had been kidnapped from their homes in the neighbourhood of Shanghai were sent to the Po Leung Kuk.
Thirteen children who were arrested for hawking without a licence have been sent to this office by the Police and have been cautioned, and placed in charge of their guardians.
In future in addition to the usual enquiry by the Magistrate, the Registrar General is directed to furnish a special report in the case of the suicide of any Chinese prostitute.
During the year legislation came into force in the Philippines by which all ham, sausages, lard and other meat food products, must be accompanied by a certificate of ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection. At the request of a number of Hongkong Chinese firms, and to enable them to dispose of their stock, the production of the certificate was waived for six months.
As I anticipated, the intervention of the Registrar General's Office has now ceased to be invited by liquor dealers; the last occasion was I think in March, when objections (which were ultimately withdrawn after explanation) were raised by the retail-dealers to their being required to issue passes to purchasers of more than one jar or twelve bottles.
Since April, all Chinese women and children who are found to be lepers, have been sent to this Office to be placed if possible,