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in March, 1882, Lord Kimberley, after referring to certain safeguards for the pro- tection of children in Hongkong, in a despatch to the Governor, states:-"But I am "checked in the consideration of these and other propositions by my uncertainty as "to the facts of the system of child adoption and domestic service as it prevails in "Hongkong, which are represented with the greatest diversity by those who approve "and disapprove of the system. I desire therefore that you will institute a full and "trustworthy inquiry into the facts, forwarding to me, as soon as it can be completed, "a report thereon, and I request that in connexion with such report the question may "be considered whether any and if so what measures should be taken to remove any "of the evils that may be brought to light by the inquiry." (Command paper 3185 of 1882, page 123).

In illustration of the diversity of opinion which prevails as to the facts, Lord Kimberley points out that "Sir John Smale never heard of a case of purchase for adoption in the Colony," whilst Dr. Eitel spoke of the demand for young children under the system of adoption and domestic service as being large at an average price of $40, and that Mr. Francis stated "that boys are bought and sold in Hongkong for adoption."

In reporting upon the facts of child adoption and domestic service it may be convenient to group what observations I have to make under four heads, as follows-

Child adoption as existing among Chinese at Hongkong, male and female; abuses connected therewith.

Where the

parents or guardian volun- tarily part

with their children.

fi.

ii.

Domestic service amongst Chinese living in Hongkong, confined to females only; abuses connected therewith.

iii. Kidnapping; as partly chargeable to the Chinese system of

adoption or service.

iv. Suggestions for the prevention of abuses growing out of child

adoption and domestic service.

I.

the

Adoption of male children in China is founded on the necessity of having a male representative to perform sacrificial ancestral rites. So much is it so that if a man dies without male representatives as sons, natural or adopted, a son may be adopted for him by his people. The origin and reason of the requirement will be found fully described in a Chinese petition addressed to the Governor and in Dr. Eitel's learned paper on "Domestic Servitude in relation to Slavery. These documents are published at pages 44-57 of the Blue-book already referred to.

The rule among Cantonese when adoption is decided upon is to seek a nearly related male agnate of a generation younger, generally a nephew. The father as a rule will give any of his boys but the eldest. The second son is the one usually selected. The principal members of the clan are notified of the fact of adoption. Among near relatives no money appears to pass and no "deed of sale" or "deed of gift" is made. If, how- ever, the relations are very poor, a small sum of money may be given to the parents, called "compensation money for the expense of rearing the child," and in that case, a "presentation card" or paper reciting the transaction is given to the adopting parents, but there is no "deed of sale" properly so-called, as in the case of strangers, as will presently appear.

If the head of the family desires to adopt a male child as a son and is unable to obtain a relation, he is apparently at liberty to adopt a stranger-in-blood, for whom, however, he almost invariably pays a price. The stranger may be of the same surname, although of a different clan-if so all the better. A "deed of sale" is almost invariably executed and given to the new parents. The surname and name are changed and the clan is notified of the fact. A stranger thus adopted becomes entitled to the same rights and privileges as one adopted from among relatives.