C 8
has been added, viz.:-Chinese labourers who intend to labour for hire beyond the limits of the Colony and have received assistance in the way of passage money, &c. These men have entered into no contract in the Colony but intend to do so on their arrival at their destination. The Chinese Emigration Amendment Ordinance now recognises them as a separate class and gives the Registrar General powers to protect them by requiring them to be photographed and examined by him twice before embarkation. These precautions have proved most useful and have resulted in the discovery of 1,360 emigrants who were unwilling to proceed on their journey and in their repatriation. Further details regarding the work under this Ordinance are given in Tables IV and V.
The Man Mo Temple Ordinance vested the property of the temple in the Tung Wah Hospital, the original trustees having died or disappeared.
17.-Prosecutions.
(See Table XVII.)
Fifteen persons were convicted of offences against women and girls, and 20 persons charged with such offences were acquitted. The difficulty of obtaining convictions in these cases is well known. The figures of convictions and acquittals under this head last year were 5 and 42 respectively.
18.-Interpretation Sub-Department.
(Government Notification No. 581 of 1901.)
During 1908, four student interpreters obtained third class certificates and appointments in the Police Department. The progress of the rest has been satisfactory.
Periodical examinations were held by the Board of Examiners, at which 3 non-student interpreters serving in various departments obtained third class certificates, and three obtained second class certificates. No first class certificates were obtained during the year.
19.-General.
The depression of business which prevailed during the year was no doubt largely attributable to general causes affecting the trade of the world. Its severity was however increased by four local misfortunes :- plague, flood, typhoon and boycott.
The plague epidemic did not differ in kind from the visitations with which the Colony is so unhappily familiar; but the death roll was longer than it has been for several years, being over one thousand. Thanks largely to the efforts of the Dispensary Committee, possibly also to the persistent teaching of hygiene in schools, there has been very little friction between the sanitary authorities and the public.
The incessant rain which fell throughout the two Kwong Provinces during the second week in June caused the North East and West Rivers to rise extraordinarily. At Wuchow the water rose sixty feet in forty-eight hours. Towns and villages were submerged; crops were destroyed, and infinite distress resulted. A meeting was at once held at the Tung Wah Hospital, and a Committee formed for the collection of funds, both locally and abroad as mentioned in Part 10 above. The actual distribution of the funds was made through organizations established in Canton for the purpose; but the local Committee sent delegates from time to time to observe the work of distribution. The reports thus obtained upon the efficiency of the methods employed were of a favourable nature.
The flood was instrumental in bringing the Charity Bazaar to China. Messrs. Fung Wa-chun, Ho Kom-tong and others held one at Kennedy Town in an enormous matshed erected for the purpose between the 10th and 16th July. It was formally opened by His Excellency the Governor. It attracted enormous crowds, and brought a net profit of $81,600 to the relief of the sufferers. It is a significant feature of the times that Chinese gentlemen of standing allowed their wives and daughters to act as saleswomen. Their confidence was not misplaced; for a more orderly crowd—even among Chinese crowds—has never been seen.
While the prosperity of the Colony was thus through the destruction and diversion of capital and the suspension of business being undermined by the flood, the typhoon of the 27th July struck a more direct and a still heavier blow. Although it did not come without due warning, 179 native crafts were wrecked or damaged, with a loss of 271 lives.
C 8
has been added, viz.:-Chinese labourers who intead to labour for hire beyond the limits of the Colony and have received assistance in the way of passage money, &c. These men have entered into no contract in the Colony but intend to do so on their arrival at their destination. The Chinese Emigration Amendment Ordinance now recognises them as a separate class and gives the Registrar General powers to protect them by requiring them to be photographed and examined by him twice before embarkation. These precautions have proved most useful and have resulted in the discovery of 1,360 emigrants who were unwill- ing to proceed on their journey and in their repatriation. Further details regarding the work under this Ordinance are given in Tables IV and V.
The Man Mo Temple Ordinance vested the property of the temple in the Tung Wah Hospital, the original trustees having died or disappeared.
17.-Prosecutions.
(See Table XVII.)
Fifteen persons were convicted of offences against women and girls, and 20 persons charged with such offences were acquitted. The difficulty of obtaining convictions in these cases is well known. The figures of convictions and acquittals under this head last year were 5 and 42 respectively.
18.-Interpretation Sub-Department.
(Government Notification No. 581 of 1901.)
During 1908, four student interpreters obtained third class certificates and appoint- ments in the Police Department. The progress of the rest has been satisfactory.
Periodical examinations were held by the Board of Examiners, at which 3 non-student interpreters serving in various departments obtained third class certificates, and three obtained second class certificates. No first class certificates were obtained during the year.
19.-General.
The depression of business which prevailed during the year was no doubt largely attributable to general causes affecting the trade of the world. Its severity was however increased by four local misfortunes :- plague, flood, typhoon and boycott.
The plague epidemic did not differ in kind from the visitations with which the Colony is so unhappily familiar; but the death roll was longer than it has been for several years, being over one thousand. Thanks largely to the efforts of the Dispensary Committee, possibly also to the persistent teaching of hygiene in schools, there has been very little friction between the sanitary authorities and the public.
The incessant rain which fell throughout the two Kwong Provinces during the second week in June caused the North East and West Rivers to rise extraordinarily. At Wuchow the water rose sixty feet in forty-eight hours. Towns and villages were submerged; crops were destroyed, and infinite distress resulted. A meeting was at once held at the Tung Wah Hospital, and a Committee formed for the collection of funds, both locally and abroad as mentioned in Part 10 above. The actual distribution of the funds was made through organizations established in Canton for the purpose; but the local Committee sent delegates from time to time to observe the work of distribution. The reports thus obtained upon the efficiency of the methods employed were of a favourable nature.
The flood was instrumental in bringing the Charity Bazaar to China. Messrs. Fung Wa-chun, Ho Kom-tong and others held one at Kennedy Town in an enormous matshed erected for the purpose between the 10th and 16th July. It was formally opened by His Excellency the Governor. It attracted enormous crowds, and brought a net profit of $81,600 to the relief of the sufferers. It is a significant feature of the times that Chinese gentlemen of standing allowed their wives and daughters to act as saleswomen. Their confidence was not misplaced; for a more orderly crowd-even among Chinese crowds—has never been seen.
While the prosperity of the Colony was thus through the destruction and diversion of capital and the suspension of business being undermined by the flood, the typhoon of the 27th July struck a more direct and a still heavier blow. Although it did not come with- out due warning, 179 native crafts were wrecked or damaged, with a loss of 271 lives..
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