2 CHINESE SECRET SOCIETIES, 



Theoretically, all Meetings of the " League/' are held in 

 the jungle or mountains, and every new member is instruct- 

 ed to reply, when asked where he was initiated, "In the 

 mountains, for fear of the ' Chheng' Officials." 



In the British Colony of the Straits Settlements, however, 

 each Lodge has a substantial "Hui-Koan" (1) or Meeting- 

 house ; and at Singapore, the Grand Lodge possesses a very 

 superior building at Rochore, where, twice a year, ( on the 

 25th of the 1st and on the 25th of the 7th moons) the "five 

 ancestors"* (2) are worshipped, and feasts, with theatricals, 

 are held in their honour, by the following nine branches of 

 the " Ghee Hin" Society :— 



1 Hok-Kien Ghee Hin, (3) 



2 Hok-Hin, (4) 



3 Tie-Kun Ghee Hin, (5) 



4 Kwong Hok or Ghee Khee. (6) 



5 Siong-Peh-Koan, (7) 



6 Kwang-Hui-Siau, (8) 



7 Ghee Sin, (9) 



8 Ghee Hok, (10) 



9 Hailam Ghee Hin, (11) 



For many years there has been no " Toa-Ko" (12) or Grand 

 Master of the Ghee Hin Society, as no person dare come 

 forward to undertake the onerous and responsible duties 

 of the office, but each of the Branches is managed and 

 governed by the following office bearers : — 



1 Tsong-Li (13) or General Manager. 



1 Sien-Seng (14) or Master of Lodge. 



1 Sien-Hong (15) or Van-guard. 



1 Ang-Kun (16) Red Baton or Executioner, 



and a varying number of Tsam-Hoa, (17) or Councillors, and 

 Thih-pan Chhau-oe,^[ (18) or District Head men, who carry 

 out the orders of the superiors : — 



* The five priests O-tek-te, Png-tai-ang, Chhoa tek-tiong, Ma-Chiau- 

 hin and Li-sek-khai, who escaped from the burning of he Siau-Liin mon- 

 astery. 



% Iron planks, Grass-shoes. 





