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day for their production. Such proceedings are exceedingly vexatious. This Hospital only admits rescued persons on behalf of the Pó Léung Kuk, and would not venture to confine them without authority. It is evident that the stories out of which are made such false accusations are concocted. The following are among their most hateful practices. Whenever a woman, who has been kidnapped or sold to a brothel, has been taken by a Constable before the Registrar General for investigation, the kidnapper does not only trust in the protection afforded by a lawyer, but he bribes an old woman to declare the girl to be her daughter or her relation, telling a falsehood, with the hope that this may alter the aspect of the case, cruelly rejoicing in doing injustice, and inventing endless devices. If a kidnapper is not punished severely, he cannot be made to fear. In every case of a rescued woman, the kidnappers invariably bring accusations against the Directors. The Directors are business men, and are occupied every day with their affairs; in addition they inspect the Hospital and attend to the comforts of the patients. They have thus no leisure, and if they have to wait at the Court, whilst false charges are brought against them, their time is wasted and their business is neglected. They are constrained, therefore, to bring their case to the notice of His Excellency the Governor, and to pray His Excellency to be graciously pleased at the earliest opportunity to grant a piece of ground, on which the Pó Leung Kuk may erect buildings for the distressed males and females, so that there may be uniformity and the two institutions may be separated, a favour for which, not only the patients, but the Petitioners will be ever grateful.

To His Excellency the Governor for his favourable consideration and reply.

17th September to 16th October, 1887.

Translated by

A. W. BREWIN,

Acting Assistant Registrar General.

Appendix 27.

Report on a petition from the Pó Léung Kuk or Society for the Protection of*

Women and Children.

REGISTRAR GENERAL'S OFFICE,

HONGKONG, 1st February, 1892.

SIR,

I have the honour to forward herewith, for submission to His Excellency the Governor, the translation of a petition from the Chinese Society for the protection of Women and Children, commonly known as the PÓ LEUNG KUK, praying that the Government will be pleased to devise some means of making a grant to the Society, which will enable it to meet its expenditure, and to place the Institution on a firm and lasting basis.