Sessional_Paper_1893 — Page 639

(xiv)

expenditure during those years. The returns for 4 years to the 31st December, 1891, shew a gross total of but 2,751 persons in all passing under the care of the Pó Léung Kuk. The thanks of the Government and the Community are due to the Chinese gentlemen who, in spite of the apathy and indifference of the great mass of the Chinese population and of great want of support, have carried on the good work from year to year, and to the Tung Wah Hospital for the accommodation afforded the Pó Léung Kuk, as well as for the pecuniary assistance without which the Pó Léung Kuk must have died of inanition.

7. One word more with reference to the subscriptions in 1892 to the funds of the Pó Léung Kuk. I have no evidence before me to shew how much, if any, of these subscriptions have been paid up or in whose custody they are. One witness thought that a portion had been paid up, and that it was in the custody of the Tung Wah Hospital. The Pó Léung Kuk, although required by their rules to appoint Trustees of their funds, have evidently not done so.

Question 1.

Whether it is advisable to give the Society a legal status.

8. I do not quite understand what is meant by this question. The Society, so far as there is a real society, has a legal status in so far as any unincorporated society can have. If the question is, should it have a more formal and definite organization and position than it has now I say unhesitatingly, Yes.

9. I am of opinion that the Pó Léung Kuk properly organized may be made most useful. I recommend its incorporation by Ordinance. It is a less circuitous and less expensive method of giving the Society a corporate existence than by registration under the Companies Ordinances, and the procedure by Bill enables the Government to exercise a more effective control over the organization and working of the Society, and a more complete power of improvement or suppression.

Question 2.

A. Whether provision should be made for such status in a Bill similar to that under discussion or B. Whether, as suggested by the Secretary of State ten years ago, the Society should be formed under the Companies' Act of 1865 and its rules and organization formally approved by the Local Government.

10. I have already said I approve of and recommend that any reorganization of the Pó Léung Kuk should be by Ordinance, but so far as the Bill before the Council is concerned I think it too indefinite. It does not make adequate provision, or suitable provision, for the constitution of the Society, its government, or its working.

11. As the result of the evidence given before us and of the discussions between the members of the Committee, I am of opinion, with Dr. EITEL, a most invaluable witness, that under proper control the Pó Léung Kuk can render very valuable service in detect- ing and bringing to justice kidnappers and other offenders against women and children. I adopt his words "that none but a Committee of respectable Chinese residents can effectively and safely grapple with the shades of difference between kidnapping and "selling and cope with the tricks of Chinese kidnappers and Chinese anti-kidnapping "detectives." I therefore recommend the conservation of that portion of the original scheme of the Pó Léung Kuk, but with more effective safeguards than at present.

<<

12. The Ordinance should empower them to retain and pay detectives, these de- tectives should be sworn in as, and have all the powers of constables, their honesty and fidelity should be guaranteed by Bonds given by the Pó Léụng Kuk, and the Society should be answerable in damages for any wrongful acts of their constables. They should report to the Society and to the Registrar General as their immediate chief. They should "be required to lodge all persons arrested or detained forthwith with the Police. These