Sessional_Paper_1893 — Page 802

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With regard to our last meeting I may mention we had Mr. KAW HONG TAKE before us who male certain statements with regard to a certain gentleman called TSAU KUNG- WAN and the inmate of a brothel. You may remember that at the end of his evidence Dr. Ho KAI asked Mr. KaW HONG TAKE whether he knew that the former concubine of Mr. TSAU KUNG-WAN had been respectably married and he said he did not. Members agreed that the documents in the case should be shown to him. Mr. KAW HONG TAKE did call at my office and I showed him the documents which have been circulated among the members of the Committee both with regard to the concubine and the inmate of the brothel, and Mr. KAW HONG TAKE expressed himself as fully satisfied. He said he had been labouring under a misapprehension and he would take steps to contradict the false statements. I have also circulated among you since the last meeting, the annual report of the Pó Léung Kuk for last year with a short abstract in English and I think it would be well if that was included in our appendix. †

Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.-The whole report ?

The CHAIRMAN.-No, the abstract which shows the numbers and so on. I have also circulated a paper with regard to a gentleman who summoned a Pó Léung Kuk detective before the Magistrate, and a letter § from the Colonial Secretary dated December 5th. asking us when the Government may expect our report and calling attention to the fact that the Committee was appointed on April 28th, and that in justice to the Society against which such serious allegations were made, we should submit our report as soon as possible. These are sentiments with which all the members will heartily

agree.

Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.--Yes, certainly.

The CHAIRMAN.We will try to get our report drawn up as soon as possible, whether it is unanimous or not, Mr. MAY and Dr. Ho KAI having undertaken to get the particulars required.

Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.--I hope I am not the only member of the Committee who wishes to know how many members there are in the Society.

The CHAIRMAN.Mr. CHATER, Dr. Ho KAI, and Mr. May have said they are satisfied.

Honourable C. P. CHATER.-I thought that instead of having the Secretary of the Pó Léung Kuk up here we might get the information through two members of the Committee.

Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.-But you are all of opinion that it is desirable to have it ?

Honourable C. P. CHATER.-Yes.

The CHAIRMAN.-I am sure it must be very gratifying to us all to feel that we are within measurable distance of the conclusion of our enquiry.

Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.-Yes, although I cannot but deplore that the directors of the Pó Léung Kuk have not come forward and given us the information of which we were so much in need.

Honourable Ho KAI-I am not quite sure that they refused to come absolutely. I think that at the end of our enquiry they might come up.

The CHAIRMAN.-Every member has stated that he is satisfied with the information We and I do not know what would be the object of having the directors before us. have heard just now from every member that they are ready, perfectly ready, to give their opinion on the points submitted except that they would like to be furnished with

* See Appendix 38.

† Sec Appendix 12.

See Appendix 11.

§ See Appendix 40.