( 4 )
Rs. 26,547, or about Rs. 39 for each registered woman. The fines inflicted upon
the women amounted to Rs. 1,592. No fees were levied.
11. In the month of April a case was brought to the notice of the Chief
Commissioner in which two women were convicted at Akyab of obtaining posses-
sion and disposing of a minor for purposes of prostitution. It appeared from the
evidence that the unfortunate child who formed the subject of the case had been
brought over from India and forced against her will to lead the life of a prostitute;
and though at the periodical examinations it was seen that she was immature,
the medical officer had not called attention to the case. At the suggestion of the
Judicial Commissioner an additional rule has now been added to the lock-hospital
rules requiring brothel-keepers to report monthly to the Magistrate the ages of all
the women under their control, and Civil Surgeons have been directed to report
immediately to the Magistrate any case of a girl under 16 holding a certificate
and attending at the lock-hospital. Registering officers have been required to
satisfy themselves that the girls to whom they grant certificates are over 16
years of age, and precautions have been taken to prevent personation. Enquiries
have been set on foot at Rangoon, Moulmein, Akyab, and Bassein as to the exist-
ence of a traffic in girls between Burma and India. Hitherto no evidence of any
such traffic has been forthcoming, but it behoves Magistrates and police officers
to be on the alert for the suppression of such a trade should it arise.
Deputy Surgeon-General, British Burma division; Assistant
Quartermaster-General, British Burma division; Principal Medi-
cal Officer, Queen's Troops; Sanitary Commissioner, British
Burma; Commissioners of divisions; Deputy Commissioners;
and Civil Surgeons.
ORDER.—Ordered that a copy
of this resolution be forwarded to
the officers named in the margin
for information.
By order of the Chief Commissioner,
G. D. BURGESS,
Offg. Secretary.