the-ordinances-of-the-legislative-counci-1890v4 — Page 288

ORDINANCE No. 9 OF 1887 . 2105


Protection ofyoung Girls.


No. 9 of 1887.

An Ordinance for the better protection of young Girls. [See Ord. No. 19
of 1889, and No.
11 of 1890.J
[ 13th April, 1887. ]

HEREAS it is expedient to prevent adopted female children and other young Preamble.
W girls from being brought up in the Colony for the purpose of prostitution
either here or elsewhere : Be it enacted by the Governor of Hongkong, with the advice
of the Legislative Council thereof, as follows :

1. Whenever the Registrar General shall have reason to believe that any female Registrar
General may
child under the age of sixteen years has been purchased and brought into the Colony or summon
custodian of
that any female child between the ages of six and sixteen years is in the custody or any female child
between 6 and 16
years of age.
under the control of any person in the Colony with the view of being trained or
disposed of as a prostitute either in the Colony or out of the Colony, it shall be lawful
for the Registrar General to summon before him such custodian requiring at the same
time the production of the said child, and to make full inquiry into the said matter.

2. If any person who has received such notice shall not appear, and produce the Penalty for not
appearing and
said child, and shall not satisfactorily account for such default he shall be liable on producing child.

conviction before a Magistrate to a penalty not exceeding five hundred dollars, and in
default of payment to be imprisoned with or without hard labour for any period not
exceeding six months.

3. It shall be lawful for the Registrar General by notice in writing under his Registrar
General may
hand , to summon before him any person who he believes can give information respect summon any
person who can
give information.
ing any such female child, or its treatment by its adopted parents, custodian or
employer, and any person disobeying such notice, and not giving satisfactory reason
for such default shall be liable on conviction before a Magistrate to a penalty not
exceeding two hundred dollars or in default thereof to imprisonment with or without
hard labour for any period not exceeding three months .

4. If the said custodian shall attend , the Registrar General may associate with Registrar
General may
him two or more Justices of the Peace, or such other persons as may from time to associate with
him two or more
Justices ofthe
time be designated by the Governor, and he shall thereupon proceed to inquire into Peace or such
other persons.
the matter, and shall hear and examine upon oath any person capable of giving evidence
in such matter. At such inquiry the said custodian may be assisted by counsel or Custodian or
husband or
solicitor and such custodian or any husband or wife of such custodian shall be a com wife of such
custodian to
be competent
petent but not a compellable witness at every hearing before the said Registrar General witnesses.
or in any subsequent inquiry. If after due inquiry the Registrar General shall be
satisfied that any offence against the provisions of Ordinance No. 2 of 1875 has been
committed by the said custodian he shall commit him for trial to the Supreme Court.
In such case it may be lawful for the Registrar General to admit the said custodian
to bail and in case of his non -appearance on his trial recognizance of bail may be
enforced by the Supreme Court in the usual manner.