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1931.
14
ANNEXE A.
Report on the work of the Po Leung Kuk for the year
The Po Leung Kuk Society was founded in 1878 to aid in the detection and suppression of kidnapping, especially of girls and to shelter such girls or women as had been and women, kidnapped in the interior and brought to Hong Kong for sale or emigration. Its name means "institution for the protection of good women". The initiative in its formation came from the Chinese themselves, and ever since by subscription aud personal service, they have continued to support it.
There is a paid Chinese staff-matron, two lady teachers, seven amals and nurses, and two clerks who are secretaries to the managing committee. The Committee meets every evening from Monday to Friday at 7 p.m., the principal meeting of the week being held at 12 noon on Sunday. It not only manages the Po Leung Kuk, but acts as an advisory committee to the Secretary for Chinese Affairs, in all cases affecting women and children and Chinese family life generally. It corresponds when necessary with charitable institutions and private persons in various parts of China, traces parents of lost children and shelters for the night any Chinese woman or girl who chooses to go. When parents and relations cannot be traced, the Committee arranges for the girls in its care to be given in marriage (never as concubines) or in adoption, always under bond and always with the consent of this office; and in every case this office ascertains the girl's willingness before giving consent.
In addition to the annual Committee there is a Board of Permanent Direction, which serves to maintain continuity of policy, and of which the Secretary for Chinese Affairs is the ex-officio chairman.
The following gentlemen were re-elected in April to serve as Managing Committee for the year:-
Mr. Tam Woon-tong,
Mr. Au Shiu-cho,
Mr. Ho I-cheong,
Mr. Lam Kau-mau,
Mr. Chan Kam-po,
Mr. Lai Tai-kai,
Mr. Lam Yam chuen,
Mr. Chan Kim-tong,
Mr. Ip King-fan,
Mr. Iu Tak-chung.
Mr. Chan Hing-wa.
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The number of inmates of the Po Leung Kuk on 1st January, 1931, was 35 and during the year 366 persons were admitted as against 480 in 1930. The circumstances of ad- mission and the action taken in regard to them are set out in Table A.
Two women and girls were admitted under warrant and 364 were admitted without warrant. Thirty-three were lost children, twelve were accompanied by parents or guardians, and thirty- six were maid-servants or "mui-tsai" who had left their employers.
On leaving the Kuk 159 women and girls were restored to husbands or other relatives, nineteen were sent to charitable institutions in China, one was given in adoption, one married, 112 released (three released under bond), twenty-one sent to Convent or Refuge and five died. The number of inmates remaining in the Kuk on December 31st was forty-eight.
The institution was visited monthly by Justices of the Peace, Mr. A. G. Coppin and the Hon. Dr. S. W. Tso, O.B.E., who on no occasion found cause for adverse comment. The average monthly number of inmates was forty-seven.
Seventy-three cases of sickness were sent to the Tung Wah Hospital for treatment and of these five died.
Mrs. R. H. Kotewall and Mrs. S. W. Tso paid regular visits of inspection during the year, and took a great interest in the sewing, cinbroidery and other handiwork of the girls. The development of this line of activity owes a great deal to Mr. Tam Woon-tong and his colleagues on the committee. Mrs. Tam Woon-tong also gave valuable assistance. An exhibition of handiwork took place in March and was opened by Lady Peel, whose sustained interest in the Kuk is much appreciated.
The question of moving the Kuk from its old site and rebuilding it in a new and improved form in more suitable surroundings had been under consideration for some years, but it was not until 1930 that Mr. Tam Woon-tong and his colleagues on the current annual Committee made a determined attack on the problem. A spacious site of two acres not far from the Tung Wah Eastern Hospital was granted by the Government with the approval of the Secretary of State, and Mr. Tam and his colleagues were brilliantly successful in raising funds for building and endowment.
The foundation stone of the new Kuk was laid by H. E. the Governor in March, 1931, and by the end of the year the building was approaching completion. The response of the community to the persuasive efforts of Mr. Tam and his
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