# C 16
Annexe A.
REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE PO LEUNG KUK FOR THE YEAR 1937.
(Tables A, B and C).
The Po Leung Kuk Society was founded in 1878 to aid in the detection and suppression of kidnapping, especially of girls and women, and to shelter such girls or women as had been kidnapped in the interior and brought to Hong Kong for sale or emigration. Its name means "institution for the preservation of virtue". The initiative in its formation came from the Chinese themselves, and ever since by subscription and personal service they have continued to support it.
2. The staff consists of a Chinese matron, two lady teachers, one nurse, seven amahs, one shroff and two clerks who are secretaries to the managing committee, and in addition a new special Drill Instructress, Miss Lam Tsz-lai, who has helped this year's Committee carry out their plans for giving the girls in the Kuk more outdoor exercise. She instructs them in physical training, and also supervises their volley-ball (another innovation) besides helping teach the singing classes. The improved health of the inmates is very apparent. A determined effort has also been made to deal with the problem of skin-diseases, and beri-beri; the continual influx of new inmates drawn from the poorest classes makes this very difficult. A new isolation room has been prepared, and this year arrangements have been made for regular weekly visits by the Lady Visiting Medical Officer.
3. The Committee have also opened a new garden on the west side of the Kuk as a playground specially for the younger children, and have acquired a further stock of children's toys. On the occasion of the Coronation of His Majesty King George VI, a special outing for all the inmates of the Kuk was arranged to a floor of a house where the Chinese processions could be seen and enjoyed.
4. The Po Leung Kuk Committee meets every evening from Monday to Friday at 7 p.m., the principal meeting of the week being held at 12 noon on Sunday. It not only manages the Po Leung Kuk, but acts as an advisory committee to the Secretary for Chinese Affairs in all cases affecting women and children and Chinese family life generally. It corresponds, when necessary, with charitable institutions and private persons in various parts of China, traces parents of lost children and shelters for the night any Chinese woman or girl who chooses to go. When parents and relations cannot be traced, the Committee arranges for the girls in its care to be given in marriage (never as concubines) or in adoption, always under bond and always with the consent of this office; and in every case this office ascertains the girl's willingness before giving consent.