Appendix C.
REPORT OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL.
1.--Revenue and Expenditure.
(See Tables I and II.)
The revenue for the year excluding Refunds etc. was $164,221, being 5 per cent. more than last year, and 6.05 per cent. over the estimate.
Increases. The increase under Emigration House Licences (23 per cent.) is explained under heading III (ii) below. The increase under Forfeitures (241 per cent.) is accidental. This item is composed principally of bonds, the terms of which have not been kept.
The increase under Markets (7 per cent.) is due chiefly to the re-letting of stalls and reassessment of their rents. The number of markets open at the close of the year was 14, producing a revenue of $117,788, and containing 1,048 shops and stalls. Of these 68 were unoccupied. Sai Wan Ho Market, opened on 1st June, has proved only moderately successful, 17 stalls out of 68 being to let at the end of the year.
Decreases. The decrease under Hawkers' Licences, which was confined entirely to the latter half of the year, is attributed mainly to the boycott of Japanese goods.
The decrease under Householders' Registration is explained under heading 4 (i) below.
Table II shews the ratio of revenue to expenditure during the last 9 years. The comparison however is fallacious for several reasons among which are:-
(a.) The product (work done) varies in amount and value from year to year. Thus the Dispensary work is new and increasing. In 1908 Emigration work has very largely increased.
(b.) Sources of revenue have been transferred to other Departments, e.g., fees for boat licences to the Harbour Department.
(c.) Fluctuation in exchange, about 40 per cent. between maximum and minimum, which alters the silver equivalent of gold salaries.
2.-Protection of Women and Girls.
(See Table III.)
Women and Girls' Protection Ordinance, No. 4 of 1897.
Po Leung Kuk Incorporation Ordinance, No. 6 of 1893.
The number of women, girls and infants detained under Warrant was 226 as compared with 139 last year. Except 4 cases sent direct to the Refuge or the Convent, they were all sent to the Po Leung Kuk in the first instance, and their subsequent history may be traced in Table III. The numerical increase is due largely to the prevailing trade depression, which has caused many women to leave their homes in search of work and thus fall into bad hands. The floods on the West River were a contributing cause. It has often happened that when the husband is dead his family being no longer able to support his wife sends her out to shift for herself. The proportion of women released after enquiry, that is women whose detention proved to have been unnecessary, has again fallen, and is now as low as 24 per cent., as compared with 28 per cent. last year, and an average of 42 per cent. for the 6 preceding years.
Thirty girls were put under bond and ordered to report regularly. There is a considerable increase over the 12 of last year. There is no doubt that in the great majority of cases these girls are absolutely rescued. Bought as infants by prostitutes or procuresses, they are trained up for the profession. But if they are brought before the Registrar General in time, their "mothers" rather than be at a total loss are glad to marry them decently and pocket the dowry.
There is a considerable traffic in very small children brought to the Colony from Shanghai for sale. A number of such children were detained, sent to the Po Leung Kuk and finally adopted by respectable families.
Appendix C.
REPORT OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL.
1.--Revenue and Expenditure.
(See Tables I and II.)
The revenue for the year excluding Refunds etc. was $164,221, being 5 per cent. more than last year, and 6:05 per cent, over the estimate.
Increases. The increase under Emigration House Licences (23 per cent.) is explained under heading III (ii) below. The increase under Forfeitures (241 per cent.) is accidental. This item is composed principally of bonds, the terms of which have not been kept.
The increase under Markets (7 per cent.) is due chiefly to the re-letting of stalls and reassessment of their rents. The number of markets open at the close of the year was 14, producing a revenue of $117,788, and containing 1,048 shops and stalls. Of these 68 were unoccupied. Sai Wan Ho Market, opened on 1st June, has proved only moderately successful, 17 stalls out of 68 being to let at the end of the year.
Decreases. The decrease under Hawkers' Licences, which was confined entirely to the latter half of the year, is attributed mainly to the boycott of Japanese goods.
The decrease under Householders' Registration is explained under heading 4 (i)
below.
Table II shews the ratio of revenue to expenditure during the last 9 years. The comparison however is fallacious for several reasons among which are:-
(a.) The product (work done) varies in amount and value from year to year. Thus the Dispensary work is new and increasing. In 1908 Emigration work has very largely increased.
(6.) Sources of revenue have been transferred to other Departments, e.g., fees for
boat licences to the Harbour Department.
(c.) Fluctuation in exchange, about 40 per cent. between maximum and minimun,
which alters the silver equivalent of gold salaries.
2.-Protection of Women and Girls.
(See Table III.)
Women and Girls' Protection Ordinance, No. 4 of 1897.
Po Leung Kuk Incorporation Ordinance, No. 6 of 1893.
The number of women, girls and infants detained under Warrant was 226 as compared with 139 last year. Except 4 cases sent direct to the Refuge or the Convent, they were all sent to the Po Leung Kuk in the first instance, and their subsequent history may be traced in Table III. The numerical increase is due largely to the prevailing trade depression, which has caused many women to leave their homes in search of work and thus fall into bad hands. The floods on the West River were a contributing cause. It has often happened that when the husband is dead his family being no longer able to support his wife sends her out to shift for herself. The proportion of women release i after enquiry, that is women whose detention proved to have been unnecessary, has again fallen, and is now as low as 24 per cent., as compared with 28 per cent. last year, and an average of 42 per cent. for the 6 preceding years.
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Thirty girls were put under bond and ordered to report regularly. considerable increase over the 12 of last year. There is no doubt that in the great majority of cases these girls are absolutely rescued. Bought as infants by prostitutes or procuresses, they are trained up for the profession. But if they are brought before the Registrar General in time, their "mothers" rather than be at a total loss are glad to marry them decently and pocket the dowry.
There is a considerable traffic in very small children brought to the Colony from Shanghai for sale. A number of such children were detained, sent to the Po Leung Kuk and finally adopted by respectable families.
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