Sessional_Paper_1893 — Page 852

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Appendix 26.

(Translation).

A Petition from Wai Pó-shán, Leung Hok-ch'áu, Hü Wai-shan, Lo Tsz-tsʻung, Ch'an Lán- hin, Li Chuk-k'ai, Lam Yat-hing, Chan Shut-ch'o, Ng Seung-pó, Li Pák-shun, Ch'an Him-kuk and Wai Ch'i-shan, Directors of the Tung Wa Hospital, complaining that the noise made by rescued persons under the protection of the Pó Leung Kuk disturbs the patients to an unbearable degree, and praying that arrangements may be made for their removal elsewhere to ensure the comfort of the patients.

Petitioners humbly beg to state that this Hospital was established solely for the treatment of patients, and no regulation was ever made for the reception of rescued persons. In the year 1881, the Pó Léung Kuk was established with the sanction of a previous Governor. At that time, the Directors of the Pó Léung Kuk suggested that as the Society was only then being started, it would take some time to raise funds, and to erect buildings, and asked for the temporary loan of accommodation from the Hospital, in which to house those who came under the protection of the Society. This was merely a temporary arrangement made to meet the circumstances of the case, and further the Directors promised that when the working of the Society had been fairly started, they would take steps as soon as possible for the erection of buildings in order that the Hospital might be freed from being mixed up with the Pó Léung Kuk. Seeing that their object was a benevolent one, the Hospital Directors were willing to comply with the wishes of the Pó Léung Kuk for a time, but had not the intention of permitting those who come under the protection of the Society to live in the Hospital for ever.

But though six years have now elapsed since the accommodation was lent, it has never been handed back to the Hospital, and the successive Directors of the Pó Leung Kuk have been content to follow existing arrangements, as if they were permanent. This is certainly not in accord with the promises previously made to the Hospital and is in direct opposition to the wishes of the Government. To the sick quiet is of supreme importance, whilst noise and disturbance must be avoided above all things. If they are disturbed, they become uneasy, and uneasiness produces feverishness, which in its turn intensifies their sickness. Under these circumstances, it is the duty of the Directors to take compassion on them. Unfortunately, the number of females under the protection of the Pó Léung Kuk increases daily. They sing continuously at night, and cry in the day time, and make all sorts of noises which baffle description; nor, to petitioners great annoyance, do they pay any attention to the mild remonstrances and exhortations of the doctors and managers of the Hospital.

Upon the day that the present Directors took over the management of the Hospital, the patients presented a joint statement to them, complaining that the noise made by the persons under the care of the Pó Léung Kuk was unbearable, and caused great annoyance, and praying that measures might be devised to prevent it. This petition was presented to the Honourable Registrar General with a request that he would submit it to His Excellency the Governor.

The practice of kidnapping males and females, and taking them abroad, is on the increase. The audacity of the kidnappers is great, and they attempt no concealment. Their tricks are varied every day. Formerly they were deterred to some extent from showing themselves, but now the bad characters, who carry on a traffic in human beings, have openly associated with each other to spend money in doing evil. They engage lawyers to fabricate stories to scare people, and even bring lawyers' letters direct to the Hospital, falsely accusing the Hospital of imprisoning rescued women, and limiting the