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A. The case just mentioned is a very striking example, the taking of the woman that Mr. WHITEHEAD referred to. I do not know her name, but I have no doubt the woman can be brought here. I haven't spoken to her, but I got my information from a very good source. I got it from the son of the man whose mother lent the money to the woman in order that she should be free from the Tung Wa Hospital. Then there was the case of which I spoke where a woman, formerly a prostitute in Canton, was redeemed by a man and taken as his concubine.* This man subsequently became blind. Afterwards he was unable to support her, and she then came to Hongkong and took to living with a boy in the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank. After she had been two years living here her husband came down. I don't know how it was, but on account of this information the woman was taken to the Pó Léung Kuk and told that she ought to support her husband; and she was kept there a fort night until she had paid $20. That is, if it is true.
Q.Of course, if it is not true the example fails, does it not?
A.-If it is not true to any extent, if the woman never was in the Pó Léung Kuk. Q. Could you give us another example?
A. The taking of CH'an Pò-SHán's wife and keeping her there for two or three days. That would have amounted to false imprisonment: to keep people against their will. There is no charge that these people were kidnapped, no suspicions that they
were kidnappers.
Q.-You just now said that he was known to be a bad hat?
A. Yes, the woman said that herself.
Q.-In what way was he a bad hat?
A.--He was known for two or three years as a man who kept a gaming club and also a man who had associated with swindling dens.
Q.-Any other example?
A. There is another example of that man in Aberdeen Street† that Mr. WHITEHEAD spoke of just now where an informer went and demanded money, the wife and concu- bine being detained in the Pó Léung Kuk for two or three days.
Q. What are their names
?
A.—I could find out the names, but I thought perhaps you would like the people here themselves.
Q.-These then are examples that you give, and all of them, so far as you are concerned, are second-hand?
A. Yes, of course, there is this to be said, that in two cases I heard it on oath in the Police Court-in the assault case.
Q.-The man was fined $5 for the manner in which he carried out the arrest. With the exception of that case, all the others are second-hand? You have only been informed?
A. Only informed.
Q.-From these cases you formed your opinion?
A. Yes, there are other cases as well in which a great number of kidnappers are taken to the Hospital for the night and then to the Registrar General and after that are sent to the Police Station.
Q.-You think that those would form examples of what would not be tolerated in England?
A.—I don't think they would.
Q.-Not even if Parliament were to give a society authority to do these things? A. I don't think the Parliament could do such a thing in England.
* See Appendix 22.
+ See Appendix 41.
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