All arrangements connected with the transfer of the Club building, from the o1 fleying been arranged, this meeting was inal proprietors to the Recreation Fun
called to settle the terms on which the Club should be carried on.
'The Cuarmwax said they were all met together another time, to settle the much vexed question of the regeneration of the Shanghai Club; and he hoped they had met, with a determination, not to offer every possible opposition, but' with a firm determination to try to reconcile the different interests. All agreed that the Club was necessary; and he thought it was generally agreed that it should be organised on the broadest possible basis—that exclusion should be the exception, and inclusion the rule. If this were the general view, this was the only building in Shanghai, in which such a Club as was desired could be held. If this were given up, several hi ings would be necessary, and several Dubs formed, which would perhaps be very ex-elusive and very aristocratic but not factory. He had spoken so far, as member. As a trustee of the Recreation Fund, he must add that they could not afford toler the building, unless they had some fund on which to rely—some surplus over and above their outgoing expenses, to enable them to reduce the mortgage. Else, the functions of the Trustees would cease, from the absence of a Fund. So that, unless the community were prepared to make terms, they would feel obliged to sell the building and furniture, to pay off their debt. With these remarks, he would call on Mr. Groom, who, he believed, was prepared to place before them a scheme which he had no doubt would meet with approval.
Mr. Gnoow said the scheme which had been struck out for carrying on the Club, on a new basis, was one Which had been a matter of considerable discussion among those acquainted with and interested in its working. He had hoped Mr. Forbes would be present to help him in explaining certain figures which they had together drawn up. The difficulty which they had principally to contend with, was that of antagonism between shareholders and members. It was admitted to be impossible to carry on the Club, with these conflicting interests. The opinion of the members was clearly expressed, that they wished to have the Club responsi Tt had been very generally in their own hands, though without any
stated that, if these were not relieved of responsibility, the Club would split up, other buildings would be leased, and the present institution would fall to the ground. Phere could however be no question that very few buildings were so suitable as the present, and all would regret to see an institution such as this had become, wiped out. In this view, a memo. putting the scheme in a clear light, had been drawn up and laid for some days on the Club table. The chief difficulty was in getting rid of personal responsibility. If the members were to rent the building, there must be acertain amount of personal responsi-and they must buy furniture, billiard tables &e, which could only be done by raising a large sum in entrance fees, among the members. He knew, also, that there was a strong feeling that the Recreation Fund should not be allowed to get any surplus; but, before he read the Scheme which he had to propose, he would remark that whatever money the Recreation Fand might receive, would be expended for the benefit of the Wublic The Trustees could have no other wish than to see the Fund out of its difficulties, and thus to promote the public benefit. "Sup-Ppoting, for example, that the theatre were urned down, would it be possible, at
rebuild it? He thought certainly not, and Present, in Shanghai, to raise Tis: 6,000 to this was an instance why it was desirable to have some public fund to fall back on. He would now read the following memo-random, which had been lying for some days on the Club Table, as well a memo-random by Mr. Forbes, which explained more fully the scheme now advocated.
The Recreation Fund Trustees hi come the proprietors of the Shanghai fu are willing to allow the members, provided that about 240 continue ug subscription at the present rites; they Recreation Fund Trastees) taking, in liew of rental, the subscriptions fees of new members, and rent of exts mortgage of the Bai taxes and a proportion of the Secretary's salary.
Under this arrangement, the working of the Club would be arranged by a committee of members, and in the event of a deficiency arising herefrom, any surplus accruing to the Trastees from excess of wubscripti diture incurred, would be a ing it.
The Recreation Fund budget is estimated at an income of $15,840 against a ible ex. penditure of $11,340 leaving an estimated ba-Inuice of $4,500 to be uppiled to payment of in-rest on the amount of the monies expended on Club, Tle. 4600 (amount of advance to iareholders now tal by the Fund) should it not be required for supplying any deficiencies on the working of the Clat The Club members budget is estimated at an income of about $12,000 against an expendi ture of $11,000,
of Mr. Forbes' memo; but the gist of it [ye have not space to reprint the whole may be summed up as follows That the Recreation Fund will be responsible for the debts, expenses and repairs of the building.
The members will have Club Rooms and Farniture, with no responsibility save for current wages and expenses, over which they themselves exercise the whole control.
provision is made for relief from the Recreation Fund, in case the Club does not prosper, and for a return of surplus subscriptions to the members.
The Club furniture will in time belong tothe members.
The members are guaranteed against a sale of the building without their consent.
Tt was true, exception might be taken to some of his figures, though he thought they were fairly accurate. If must be remem-bertd that the total outlay on the members' side of the account, was only $12,200, and their income was estimated at about the same amount. And, should their income fall short, they had the R. F. Trustees' guarantee to make any falling off good, to the extent of $4500. Of course, objection might be made to his estimate of the income, but though figures might vary, he did not think it would be.found much on One privilege members gained was, that they retained the use of the whole Slub. If it were desired to give a public ent tainment, they the best rooms in Shanghai at their disposal. The Dining room would be reserved for members alone; and in any other case, it would difficult to maintain this seclusion. There had_ been a good deal of talk about the impossibility of making the dining room pay; but other places paid, and he did not see why th Should not. He had ascertained that the rent of the Carlton room was Tls. 100 per mensem. It was very odd if, with the large patronage of the Club, they could not derive arent of $1,000 'a year. He knew, also, that there was a feeling that the Club could do with fewer rooms. This might be. But if the rooms could be kept, the Club would be more comfortable and, in the end, more successful. Of course it was very difficult for any one to back lim (Mr. G.) up in the figures, unless they had gone thoroughly into them. He only asked the members to give the scheme a trial. If his figures did not come out, it would be time, then, to give up the plan. Bnt if they could keep the Club on its present footing, it would be better.
Mr. Ropixsox did not quite understand the project. It appeared that the ways and means were to go to the Recreation Fund; but how was the Club Committee to work without funds?
Mr. Grooxs said the Club Committee was responsible only for actual working ex-
The Cuarnuax was informed by the S retary, that there was a working balance hand.
Mr Groow was sure the Recreation Fund would not object to let a portion of the subscription fees remain in the hands of the Club Committee, for a longer or shorter period. This was a mere of adjust ment of accounts. One objection which he had heard brought forward was—why not lease a portion of the building to the Club? But the reason why this scheme had been got up, was to get rid of this objection, In that care, somebody must become responsible for the rent; somebody must sign a lease; and it had been given as the express wish of the members, that there should be no personal responsibility.
After some further discussion, Mr. D. Rew proposed and Mr. Lirriz seconded.
That the members of the Clab recept the offer of the Recreation Fund. Trustees for on year, upon the terms set forth in the Memorandum of Mr. Groom and Mr. Forbes, subject to ile being worked out in detail by Committee of Members to be appointed, und who would act as a Managing Committee for the year.
Mr. Rontxsox asked, supposing the reaolution were agreed to, did there not seem to be some discrepancy between the written scheme, and Mr. Groom's explanation. The former stated that entrance fees and subscriptions were to go to the Recreation Fund Trustees. If, however, the latter were willing, as Mr. Groom stated, to let the members work with the funds, and pay over the balance, there would be no difficulty.
Mr. Groom thought there was no real difference between the written scheme and that which he had explained. The funds were divided into two parts. The R. estimate that they will have surplus of
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.