Sessional_Paper_1935 — Page 257

249

I

Presenting a Girl for money to be reared and employed as a Servant, with power of redemption.

in

This card of presentation is executed by

District, and wife

to

of

Village

who have a daughter born to them. She is named

Being poor, and finding it hard to earn our livelihood, and having consulted together, we wish to present this daughter of ours as a servant, who is good enough to pay us the sum of 40 dollars as a compensation for our trouble connected with her birth and rearing. When this girl arrives at womanhood,

will be at liberty to give her in marriage. If any accident should befall her, this will be held to be the will of Heaven, and we shall have no right to avail ourselves of the opportunity to extort money.

If we should go back on our word, we must refund the money ($40), and besides pay to

one dollar and fifty cents for her sub- sistence per month, before the daughter can be taken back by us. We will not gainsay our word. This girl is really the daughter of the husband and wife who give her as a present, and has nothing to do with outsiders. This card of presenta- tion is executed and given as proof.

Dated the 8th day of the 8th moon of the 7th year of Kwong Su (30th September,

1881).

Signed

The party executing this card of presentation.

Finger mark, wife.

Signed

Witness.

NOTE. The above translation is that of a document brought by the person who has

the child. Of course "this card of presentation The child is well cared for and is perfectly free.

is mere cover for sale.

J.R.

I,

J

Translation of a bill of sale put forward by a Claimant at the Registrar

General's Office, Hongkong, 1882. The names are left out.

native of the Pi Sha of the Tung Kun District do clearly draw up this bond regarding the sale of my daughter. I, being in need of money and having consulted my wife, am willing to sell my second daughter to another family to act as a servant girl, and I have fixed the prices at thirty-two dollars exactly. Her name is

and she is six years old. She was born on the

2nd day of 2nd moon at Shan, time (6 a.m. to 8 a.m.). She was taken by the go-between

to the Shiu family for inspection, who were pleased with her, and at once offered a current price of thirty-two dollars exactly for her services as a servant girl. The said family and myself, having thoroughly understood and mutually agreed to the conditions of the bargain, have appointed a day for its