CO129-246 - Acting Governor Fleming - 1890 [8-9] — Page 39

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account is sent in four times a year, but is paid very irregularly. Sometimes portion only is paid, and the rest is allowed to run over for another term. The extent of the credit allowed depends upon the individual. If properly introduced and tolerably punctual in his first payments, he may be allowed to contract a debt of thirty or forty dollars or more. If not so well introduced or if of inferior appearance, credit would not be allowed for more than five dollars, and in many cases no credit whatever is allowed and ready payment is compulsory.

The singing girls are always highly painted and dressed. They are showily dressed and take part in the entertainment at which they are engaged to sing, to the extent of sitting round the table, fanning and chatting with the guests and munching fruit with them. As many as thirty or forty singing girls will attend at one party, if the host is a man of means, and the number may be over ten. Each guest has his own special singing girl or girls whom he sends for and pays for himself. The host has also his own girls or six engaged for himself. At fashionable dinners a guest will supply as many as three or four girls for himself, and the host will have as many for himself and eight for the good of the brothel. An entertainment of this kind will commence at five or six o'clock...P.M., and will last until eight P.M. During this time the guests will listen to the singing for three or four hours, and subsequently smoking opium and so on for hours.