Interest on Fixed Deposit Fined Deposit collected 70 Debentures. rocenda of 98 ner Catalogues Mr. Avanasrer observed that a sum of Tis: 168' had been paid for printing the catalogues, but he did not see anything for compensation to whoever it was took the trouble'to prepare the worl Mr, Kaye said the Chairman had taken the trouble of compiling the catalogue, and all the compensation he received was yote.of thanks from the Committee.
Mr. Atanasrer had great pleasure in moving the adoption of the Report and passing of the Accounts, and, if it were in order, coupling with it a vote of thanks to the Committee, for their labours during the year. The Chairman had apologised for the delay that had occurred in moving into these premises, buthe (Mr. Alabaster) really thought the subscribers were more indebted to the Committee for not having pressed that removal.
Mr. Bucuaxay seconded the resolution, which was passed unanimously.
Mr. Alabaster next wished to move a formal vote of thanks to the Chairman for his great labour in revising the catalogue, and suggested a substantial acknowledgment ina literary form—which, however, the Chairman declined.
Mr, Acapasrex said there was one proposition he wished to make in the interests of the Society. The Chairman had said that the removal to these rooms appeared to have had an injurious effect on the Society, in that it had decreased the num-Der of members. He would therefore suggest that the Committee should be instructed to see whether they could not get rid of these premises—it might be difficult, because they were not attractive to anyone but they should then either return to their former place-at the Club or find suitable accommodation in some more convenient situation.
The Hon, Secretary suid the decrease in the number of members was due partly to the stoppage of the Chess Club, half of those who had retired having been members also of it, and the removal to their present quarters could not be said to be the sole caw said the cessation of the tirely due to the removal of the Library.
Mr. Mowar said that, against' the decreased number of members, they must set the diminished expenditure on premises, which Mr. Payy said was Tis, 400sor Ts. 500
Mir, Conpien—And we have a room upstairs which we may be able to let.
Mr. Kaye said possibly the newly projected Chinese reading-room might take this spare accommodation, Mr, Mactectax proposed—That the Committee for the current year be Messrs, Medhurst, Butcher, Paya, Fitzgerald, Maclelian and Cordier.
Mr, Kaye seconded, and the resolution was passed unanimously.
The Cuarmatan remarked that they were going to have a great loss by the departure of Mr. Kaye from Shanghai. He was not inclined to overweight the meeting with votes of thanks, but if thanks were due to anyone they were to Mr. Kaye, for the kind and warm interest he had taken in the Library. It any proposition occurred to anyone, that would advantage the Library, he would now be glad to hear it.
Mr. Axapasrer said he had heard a rumour—he did not know what ground there might be for it that the Club proposed to buy up this Library.
Mr. Connie said no proposition of the sort hiad been made; but if it had, it could not be carried into elect without. the consent of three-fourths of the subscribers, given at two semi-annual meetings, thus ing it only possible after the lapse of twelve months. If the property of the Library were to be sold, the proceeds would be divided among the then subseribers.
Mr. Macurcuan said the Shanghai Library had existed before the Club, and would exist after it.
Mr. Buctaxan suggested that the new Committee should put the rules in force as to subscribers keeping books beyond the proper time. People asked for books, could not get them, and gave up the Library in disgust—at any rate such had been his experience, and he had heard the same-* complaint from others.
Mr. Kave—It is unfortunately too true, 2 People take out new books and don't think. that anyone else warts them.
The Cuamauy, referring to the Rules, said the time allowed was four days for new works of fiction, seven for others and: two for periodicals, and there were fines for non-compliance, which however the Committee feared to enforce lest they might: lose subscribers. All they could promise was that they would endeavour to secure increased attention to the rule, get more books, and perhaps two or three copies of those new works most in demand.
Mr. BUucHAnaN was not referring so much to new as to old books.
Mr. Avanasren recalled attention to his motion instructing the Committee as to the Aisposal of the present premises and the finding of others, but.as it was unsupported it fell to the ground.
This concluded the business of the mesting.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.