C 14
It is generally agreed that the section prohibiting engagement of new "mui-tsai" has been scrupulously observed, and that no transference from one master to another has taken place. Whether or not parents who have recovered their "mui-tsai" daughters have disposed of them again outside the Colony, is beyond our power to determine.
Owing to the disordered conditions in the neighbouring provinces, it is probable that some "mui-tsai" have been brought into the Colony by masters or mistresses who have come to find temporary refuge in Hongkong.
It has been an old Chinese custom to provide a newly married woman with a "mui-tsai" who accompanies her to her new home as her personal servant. Since the passing of this ordinance, this custom is said to be dying out in Hongkong, and instead of a "mui-tsai" the bride is presented with money to engage a servant on a regular wage. Apart from such special cases, moreover, there is a general tendency to engage "chu-nin-mui" on a wage agreement, or servants.
"Mui-tsai" in this Colony are well aware of the solicitude on their behalf which has found expression in the ordinance under review.
(c) Chinese Certificates (Fees) Ordinance No. 6 of 1923. This ordinance provides that for each certificate issued by the Secretary for Chinese Affairs to a Chinese person other than a labourer proceeding to any foreign country, there shall be paid a fee of $50.00.
(d) Chinese Recreation Ground Ordinance, No. 17 of 1923. This ordinance deals with the management of the Chinese Recreation Ground and expenditure of revenue derived therefrom.
(e) Fraudulent Transference of Businesses Ordinance, No. 25 of 1923, which provides for the giving of notice, and makes the transferee of a business liable for the liabilities of the transferor in certain cases.
(f) Rent Ordinance. During the year, cases arising out of the Rent Ordinance 1922-23 increased steadily. These had their origin largely in complaints brought by tenants or subtenants, but in some instances landlords themselves called and asked for advice and assistance.
498 cases were entered in the Rent Book from January to December, and as no written entry was taken of those cases in which the issue was a simple one, the actual number of cases dealt with was very much larger. The procedure adopted was to get both parties to the dispute together, to point out the rights and