Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstrait341879roya).pdf/20

 Theoretically, all Meetings of the "League," are held in the jungle or mountains, and every new member is instructed 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 會館) 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 五祖) 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 福建義興)
 * 2) Hok-Hin, (4 福興)
 * 3) Tie-Kun Ghee Hin, (5 潮郡義興)
 * 4) Kwong Hok or Ghee Khee. (6 廣福義氣)
 * 5) Siong-Peh-Koan, (7 松栢館)
 * 6) Kwang-Hui-Siau, (8 廣惠肇)
 * 7) Ghee Sin, (9 義信)
 * 8) Ghee Hok, (10 義福)
 * 9) Hailam Ghee Hin, (11 瓊州館義興)

For many years there has been no "Toa-Ko" (12 大哥) 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 總理) or General Manager.
 * 1 Sien-Seng (14 先生) or Master of Lodge.
 * 1 Sien-Hong (15 先鋒) or Van-guard [sic]
 * 1 Ang-Kun (16 紅棍) Red Bâton or Executioner.

and a varying number of Tsam-Hoa, (17 簪花) or Councillors, and Thih-pan Chhatt-oe, (18 鐵板草鞋) or District Head men, who carry out the orders of the superiors:—