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99

HONG KONG.

No. 16.

Form of Bond.

Know all men by these presents that we

and are held and firmly bound unto Her Majesty the Queen, Her Heirs and Successors, in the sum of $ to be paid to the Colonial Treasurer for the time being of Hong- kong, to which payment we bind ourselves and each of us and each of our Heirs, Execu- tors, and Administrators, firmly by these presents.

Sealed with our scals.

Dated this

day of

189

Now the condition of this obligation is that if one

who is

now residing at Hongkong shall not quit or be taken or removed from the Colony with- out the previous permission in writing of the Officer for the time being performing the duties of Registrar General, and shall not be trained or disposed of as a prostitute or for immoral purposes, and also if the said

shall be produced from

time to time before such Officer within 24 hours after notice in writing has been given to any or either of the said

and

requiring such production, then this obligation to be void, otherwise to remain in full force.

Signed, scaled, and delivered by ́

the above-named

and

In the

presence of

THE SECOND SCHEDULE,

Table of Ordinances Repealed.

Number and Year of Ordinance.

Title or Rhort Title and Date of Ordinance,

(L.S.) (L.S.)

Extent of Repeal.

Sections 42, 43, 46,

47, and 48.

GOVERNOR SIR WM. ROBINSON to MR. CHAMBERLAIN. (Received August 7; 1897.)

(Confidential.)

SIR,

Government House, Hong Kong, June 30, 1897. I HAVE the honour to address you on the subject of the great increase in the number of brothels in this Colony since the abolition of the system of registration.

2. Brothels in Hong Kong are distinguished as "open" and "sly." The former are known to the public, and any abuses connected with them can be comparatively easily detected and dealt with, especially as they are as a rule confined to certain locali- ties. The number of "open" brothels remains much the same as when the system of registration was in force."

"Sly" brothels, however, have largely increased, much to the annoyance of the Chinese, who are most anxious that steps should be taken to control them, and to prevent the abuses which arise in connection therewith.

3. I enclose a report on this subject from the two Chinese Members of the Legis- lative Council, from which it will be seen that they practically recommend that the system of registration should be revived, and that brothels should be restricted to certain

areas.

It will also be observed that they point out that the Chinese will not proceed against disorderly houses under section 4 of Ordinance 6 of 1894. This disinclination on the part of the Chinese to take such proceedings has rendered that section a dead letter, so that it is impossible to deal with " sly" brothels under that section, as suggested in paragraph 3 of your despatch, No. 118, of the 29th May, 1896.*

4. I have consulted the Registrar General and Captain Superintendent of Police

on this important question, and both those officers recommend that in the interests of the liberty of the women and girls who enter brothels, the system of registration and the power to confine brothels to certain areas be revived.

In their recommendation I concur, especially as it is intended to protect the liberty

of Chinese women and girls who come to this Colony.

5. I fear that unless steps are taken to cope with the evils to which "sly brothels " give rise, the Chinese will be discouraged from bringing their families to Hong Kong, which may affect the prosperity of the Colony.

I have, &c.,

WILLIAM ROBINSON.

Section 39.

Ordinance 4 of 1865

Ordinance 9 of 1890 ...

Ordinance 11 of 1890...

Ordinance 14 of 1891..*

Ordinance 7 of 1892

Ordinance 6 of 1894 ...

An Ordinance to consolidate and amend the Enact-

ments in force in this Colony, relating to Offences! against the Person, [2nd June, 1865.]

An Ordinance to amend Ordinance No. 4 of 1865, The whole.

relating to Offences against the Person. [24th June, 1890.]

The Women and Girls' Protection Ordinance, 1890. The whole.

[23rd July, 1890.]

An Ordinance to amend the Women and Girls' Pro-The whole.

tection Orlinance, 1890. [22nd July, 1891.]

An Ordinance to amend Ordinance No. 4 of 1865,¦ The whole.

relating to Offences against the Person. [20th May,

1802.1

An Ordinance to amend the Women and Girls' Pro-Sections 1, 2 and 3.

tection Ordinance, 1890, and Ordinance No. 14 of 1891, entitled an Ordinance to amend The Women and Girls' Protection Ordinance, 1890. [7th Sep- tember, 1894.]

Enclosure in No. 16.

JOINT REPORT BY MESSRS. HO KAI AND WEI YUK,

From reliable information furnished to us, as well as personal observation, we can positively affirm that there has been in the Colony a considerable, though gradual, increase in the traffic in women and girls for immoral purposes. The increase has been going on for the last two years, and it commenced soon after the abolition of the regis- tration of brothels. We are of opinion that at the present moment the number of prostitutes residing in the so-called "sly " brothels amounts to at least twice the figures given by Inspector Stanton in his report, dated the 22nd January, 1897. The increase is likely to go on at a quick rate, and unless a speedy and efficient check be put upon this most iniquitous and immoral trade, this Colony will soon be overrun by these infamous and unfortunate women. We hear that of late many societies have been founded in Canton and elsewhere for the procuration of women and girls for prostitution in Hong Kong.

• 7903, not printed.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 882

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO