VII.—What registration fees or payments of
any kind have been received from the prostitutes.
VIII.—Whether the women have been regular
at the periodical examinations ; any remarks on
the cause of irregularity ; the number of indivi-
dual women reported for non-attendance ; the
fines or other punishments awarded, and the
amounts realized,
( 14 )
the register ; the second is seldom registered. The object of the first is to make as much
money as she can, by indiscriminate intercourse, regardless of appearances ; and of the
second, to avoid open lewdness, but to secure, in a silent manner, sufficient means to lead a
life of idleness. It is an easy matter to ensure perfect registration, of the first class, and
a very difficult one to obtain any registration of the second.
It has been more than once remarked that the registration of prostitutes in Bassein is
imperfectly performed, because it bears so small a ratio to the population ; but I would sub-
mit that the fixed population does not, and -would refuse to support bond fide prostitutes—
women who live in brothels, and are willing to entertain foreigners and perfect strangers
- without selection.
In a town without some moving population, women of this class 'could not exist.
The unchastity of Burmese females is a reality, familiar to those who have any dealings
with the people ; and anyone above a cooly and with a settled abode, can provide himself,
for a few rupees, with a Burmese girl to be maintained as long as it pleases him ; and, again,
when it would not be convenient to support a woman in his house, the town resident,
acquainted with this circumstance, and conversant with the native language, can avoid regis-
tered prostitutes, and yet experience no difficulty in satisfying his sensual desires. That
women who afford these opportunities should be placed on the register no one doubts ; but
they cannot be brought to book, and, rather than be reduced to the apparent degradation of
examination and registration, they would refuse to carry on their immoral practices ; and,
if placed on the list, would speedily quit the town. That there are women of this character
is certain, and it is equally a fact they are sufficient in number to meet the requirements
of the place. With the shifting portion of the population, however, such as soldiers, Euro-
pean and other sailors, who remain in the town, no length of time ; likewise, coolies, who
come for, and leave after, the rice season, the case is different ; and it is they who make use
of the public prostitutes.
It seems probable that these remarks would apply to other stations in Burma, as well
as Bassein ; and if the statements advanced are admitted to be true, then the numbers of
registered prostitutes in a Burmese town should bear a certain ratio to the floating popula-
tion, and not stand in any proportion to the habitual residents.
When the trade of Bassein grows larger, and there is a greater influx of temporary
strangers, the number of its registered prostitutes will increase—but not, I fear, till then.
I have been assisted to these views by the Inspector of Police, whose duty it is to pay
attention to the subject, the matron of the lock-hospital, the girls themselves, and others ;
and, if the conclusions are correct, my impression that the registration of prostitutes in
Bassein is not neglected receives confirmation.
The women on the register stand much as they did in 1874 ; the number on the 31st
December 1874 was twelve, and on the last day of 1875, it was also twelve.
A glance at the return shows that nine were added during the year, and that nine were
either struck off the list or absconded; and a reference to the annual returns of 1874 exhibits
thirteen added and thirteen removed ; while the number on the list remains the same, the
women have been more stationary. The average number on the register has risen from
fifteen in 1874 to twenty-three in 1875, and the periodical examinations have been fuller
and more regular by attended.
No registration fees or payments of any kind
are levied on prostitution in Bassein.
More regularity at the examination has been
secured, although the mean number under inspec-
tion during the year exhibits but little advance on
the year 1874. The fewest examinations at any one
period was nine, whereas in 1874 it fell as low as
six on four consecutive examination days.
Twelve individual women were reported for absconding, or irregular attendance. One
woman was reported for absence three times, and another four times, the last of these two
was also prosecuted for disorderly conduct, making, in all, five occasions on which it was
necessary to send letters on her account to the Deputy Commissioner. This unmanage-
able creature's name is Mie Gouk alias Mie Hkah, and the history of her connection with
the Contagious Diseases Act for 1875 is this : She was in hospital when the year opened ; on
the 8th of January, was reported for absence from the building at night. On discharge
from hospital in March, she attended for two months, became diseased again, and neglected
to appear. On being brought up, was received into hospital, and soon recommenced her
old trick of vacating the house for a few hours in the night. Once more sent to the Magis-
trate, who ordered her to jail ; she returned to the hospital on the last day of September,
escaped through the window on the 30th of October, and has not since been heard of. The
following return has been furnished by the Deputy Commissioner of the punishments
awarded during the year.