CO129-543-2 Mui Tsai system 4-1-1933 - 11-4-1934 — Page 18

4.

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discovered during the period under review, prosecutions were

brought only in the above mentioned seven cases (two muitsai

in the employ of one employer being concerned in one case).

The employers of the other thirty girls were brought before

an Assistant to the Secretary for Chinese Affairs and

warned, but prosecution was not resorted to on the ground

that they were first offenders and had in all probability

omitted to report through ignorance of the law.

(f) In the four cases of failure to pay

wages to registered muitsai fines of $25, $20, $15 and $10.

were inflicted. Each defendant was in addition ordered

to pay arrears of wages and the arrears were paid to the

girls at the office of the Secretary for Chinese Affairs.

(g) In the case of failure to report the

intended marriage of a registered muitsai the charge was

withdrawn because the offence had been committed more than

six months before the date of prosecution.

(h) In all of the above cases the usual

careful arrangements for the girls' well-being were made

by the Secretary for Chinese Affairs with the co-operation

and assistance of the Po Leung Kuk Committee and the

Salvation Army.

4.

Since my last report 37 further instances of the

attendance of registered muitsai at school have been recorded, the fees being paid by the employers. This brings the total

number of girls attending school to 116.

5.

During the period now under review a total of

1335 visits to registered muitsai have been made by the Lady

Inspectors. Both Lady Inspectors have also been engaged with Inspector Fraser in investigating reports concerning unregis- tered mui tsai. I am informed that quite a number of the girls whose muitsai status has been cancelled on their

obtaining employment in domestic service continue to visit