23. It seems to me therefore that the Government cannot well refuse to make some grant to the Po Leung Kuk for the establishment of a suitable building. I find from appendix No. 11 that
...
The Po Leung Kuk, which came into existence in 1880, had no Home of its own.
A portion of the Chinese Recreation Ground was granted to the Society early in its career, but this grant was subsequently cancelled by order of the Secretary of State. By permission of the Tung Wah Hospital management, the Po Leung Kuk was allowed to occupy part of the Tung Wah Hospital, where there were no arrangements for the separation of the older from the younger girls, and no attempt at education, and where the girls were, not unnaturally, cause of annoyance to the Tung Wah Hospital patients. Complaints were received from the Tung Wah Hospital on this subject, and a request made to have the girls moved to some more suitable place. This led to a suggestion being made by the Committee of the Po Leung Kuk and other influential Chinese that a Home should be erected by the Government and maintained by private charity.
Five Chinese houses were accordingly erected near St. Stephen's Church in accordance with plans which the Po Leung Kuk Committee had seen, and which, it was understood, they approved. The houses consisted of 3 stories, the upper story being intended for a Home, and the two lower stories for shops and tenements. The top story was so constructed as to provide accommodation for 20 women and 30 girls in 2 day rooms and 3 bed rooms.
The cost of building these houses was $8,000; the land on which they stand was valued at about $12,000.
There seems to have been some misunderstanding with regard to the rents to be derived from the lower floors, the Po Leung Kuk Committee thinking that they were to go towards the maintenance of the Home, while the Government decided that they were to be paid into the Treasury.
When the buildings had been completed the Po Leung Kuk objected to move into them, because they considered them unsuitable, and because, having no funds available for their maintenance, they did not wish to sever their connection with the Tung Wah Hospital, which had hitherto supplied the Society with a Home and funds.
24. I recommend therefore that in consideration of the fact that the Po Leung Kuk have raised upwards of $30,000 (see appendix No. 27) during last year, by subscription from the Chinese in aid of the Society, that the said lands and block of houses, situated in New Street above referred to, be handed over to the Po Leung Kuk as a free gift to be disposed of by them as they may think fit for the benefit of the Society.
25. I think this course preferable to a grant of money at the present time and when it is remembered that the Government has already expended public money in the preparation of the site and in the construction of the above block of houses.
Question 7.
Whether the proceedings, Books, Buildings, &c., of the Society should not at all times be made accessible to Justices of the Peace, Magistrates, and others,
26. Yes, most certainly. It is of the very first importance.
Question 8.
Whether the last clause of the Bill should not be omitted altogether.
27. No. It should be retained. The detectives so lent to remain under the authority of the Captain Superintendent of Police, and to be simply set apart for the special duty.
Question 9.
Whether in any case a suspending clause should not be attached to the Ordinance.
28. Yes, certainly.
29. I would earnestly suggest that nothing further should be done in connection with the Po Leung Kuk or with the bill for its incorporation now before the Council, until such time as the whole of the evidence taken before the Committee and these reports and recommendations have been forwarded to and considered by the Right Honourable, The Secretary of State for the Colonies.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
(Signed)
The Honourable
J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,
Chairman, Committee of Enquiry,
in re The Po Leung Kuk Society.
T. H. WHITEHEAD.
253
Ї
23. It seems to me therefore that the Government cannot well refuse to make some grant to the Pó Léang Kuk for the establishment of a suitable building. I find from appendix No. 11 that
..
The Pó Leung Kuk, which came into existence in 1880, had no Home of its
#OWNL.
A portion of the Chinese Recreation Ground was granted to the Society early in its career, but this graut was subsequently cancelled by "order of the Secretary of State. By permission of the Tung Wah Hospital management, the Pó Lénng Kak was allowed to occupy part "of the Tung Wah Hospital, where there were no arrangements for the "separation of the older from the younger girls, and no attempt at "education, and where the girls were, not unnaturally, cause of annoyance "to the Tung Wah Hospital patients. Complaints were received from "the Tung Wah Hospital on this subject, and a request made to have the "girls moved to some more suitable place. This led to a suggestion "being made by the Committee of the Pó Leung Kuk and other influential "Chinese that a Home should be erected by the Government and main- "tained by private charity.
"Five Chinese houses were accordingly erected near St. Stephen's Church in "accordance with plans which the P6 Leung Kuk Committee had seen, "and which, it was understood, they approved. The houses consisted "of 3 stories, the upper story being intended for a Hone, and the two "lower stories for shops and tenements. The top story was so constructed "as to provide accommodation for 20 women and 30 girls in 2 day rooms "and 3 bed rooms.
"The cost of building these houses was $8,000; the land on which they stand
"was valued at about $12,000.
"There seems to have been some misunderstanding with regard to the rents "to be derived from the lower floors, the Pó Leung Kuk Committee "thinking that they were to go towards the maintenance of the Home, "while the Government decided that they were to be paid into the "Treasury.
When the buildings had been completed the P'ó Léung Kuk objected to move "into them, because they considered them unsuitable, and because, having "no funds available for their maintenance, they did not wish to sever "their connection with the Tung Wah Hospital, which had hitherto "supplied the Society with a Home and funds.”
24. I recommend therefore that in consideration of the fact that the Pó Léung Kuk lave raised upwards of $30,000 (see appendix No. 27) during last year, by subscription from the Chinese in aid of the Society, that the said lands and block of houses, situated in New Street above referred to, be handed over to the Pó Léung Kuk as a free gift to
he disposed of by them as they may think fit for the benefit of the Society.
25. I think this course preterable to a grant of money at the present time and when it is remembered that the Government has already expended public money in the pre- paration of the site and in the construction of the above block of houses.
Question 7.
¡Fhether the proceedings, Books, Buildings, &c., of the Society should not at all timos be made accessible to Justices of the Peace, Magistrates, and others,
26. Yes, most certainly. It is of the very first importance.
Question 8.
Whether the last clause of the Bill should not be omitted altogether.
27. No. It should be retained. The detectives so lent to remain under the author- ity of the Captain Superintendent of Police, and to be simply set apart for the special duty.
Question 9.
Whether in any case a suspending clause should not be attached to the Ordinance. 28. Yes, certainly.
29. I would earnestly suggest that nothing further should be done in connection with the Pó Léung Kok or with the bill for its incorporation now before the Council, until such time as the whole of the evidence taken before the Committee and these reports and recommendations have been forwarded to and considered by the Right Honourable, The Secretary of State for the Colonies.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
(Signed)
The Honourable
J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,
Chairman, Committee of Enquiry,
in re The Pó Léung Kuk Society.
T. H. WHITEHEAD.
253
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