Sessional_Paper_1893 — Page 882

[LXIX]

Appendix 37.

CASE OF TÁM SÓ-MUI.

Extract from Registrar General's Letter No. 345 of the 28th December, 1891, to the Pó Léung Kuk.

I have detained a girl named TAM SÓ-MUI, who has applied to be registered as a prostitute, and whom I now send to your Society. I shall be obliged if you will kindly make inquiries, and try to persuade her to lead a virtuous life.

Letter No. 3 from the Pó Léung Kuk to the Registrar General, 4th January, 1892.

We are in receipt of your letter No. 345, in which you inform us that you were sending here the prostitute TAM SÓ-MUI, and request us to try to persuade her to reform, and to report on the case for your information. We have the honour to inform you that the said girl states that she is 18 and a native of the boat-population in Canton; that her parents are dead; and that since the age of 15, she has been a prostitute in the Tai Chin Brothel-boat near Hoi Chi at Canton. Recently, in consequence of the cold weather and the wind on the river, there have been few feasts at the Brothel. She has, 'therefore, come to Hongkong to find another resting-place, and wishes to be admitted

into the Tsoi Fung Brothel, of which SHO-T'AU MUI is the keeper.

We have repeatedly urged and advised her to reform, but she is firmly attached to a life of prostitution, and her determination is so fixed that even one, possessing the persuasive powers of SHANG KUNG, would labour in vain to change it.

We respectfully submit this for your perusal and decision, and avail ourselves of the occasion to wish for you health and promotion.

Extract from Registrar General's letter No. 1 of the 4th January, 1892, to the Pó Léung Kuk.

As the prostitute TÁM S5-MUI does not wish to reform, she may be permitted to go as she wishes.

Extract from Pó Léung Kuk's letter No. 5 to Registrar General, 5th January, 1892.

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Further, we are in receipt of your letter No. 1, ordering us to permit TAM SÓ-MUI, the prostitute, to leave as she wishes. We have directed T'AM SÓ-MUI to be taken to your Office to await her discharge.

Extract from Registrar General's letter No 5. of the 5th January, 1892, to the

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Pó Léung Kuk.

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The prostitute TAM Só-MUI has been discharged. Kindly have her naine cancelled.