The annual meeting of Subscribers to the Shanghai Library was held on Monday evening. Present, Messrs. Hannen, Rennie, Kingsmill, Macgowan, Donaldson, jun., Rees, and A. J. How (Hon. Secretary.)
In the unavoidable absence of the Very Rev. Dean Butcher, Mr. Hannen was called upon to preside.
The Cuamaan called upon the Hon, Secretary to read the Committee's Report.
The Hox. Secretary read as follows 'REPORT, The Committee of the Sha present to the Subscribers a the Income and Expenditure of the Institution for the past year, the result being a oath deficit of Tls. 334.04, in addition to a balance of £116 4s. 1d. due to the London Agents on the St December last.
'A Supplementary Catslogue has been compiled, which will cost about Tls. 200; and $70 have been expended in the erection of a dook-shelf, a further outlay in this respect being imperatively required.
In the course of the year 7,161 Works have deen circulated, and 376 Volumes reprosent= img 221 new Works have been added to the It may be remembered that in 1872 the subscription was reduced from Tls. 15 to acquired proves conclusively that the income 10 per annum, and. the experi ce at the lower rate from an increased number subscribers is inadequate to maint Library in a state of efficiency, the position clive in Sterling exchange, It will being aggravated in, recent years by the dav Members now to decide whether mind, when considering these alterns that a largo number of jubscri to the difficulty, always circulating library, of providing with sati factory celerity the books which every om res.
Committee must refer with deep regret, to the quently brought to ti of the privileges of Subscribers, prevent the violation of Bye-Law No. V, which treats of this offence, but the onl; lib' the Membe vert that if all Library books contributed their sha cost of them the finances of the Society would be much improved, Six Debenture Bonds will be drawn for payment on this occasion, and the Committee will recommen Lst.—That Tis, 5 be called up from each Member to meet the deficiency that has now to be provided for.
2ud.—That the subscription in future years be fixed at Tis, 12 per annum, The thanks of the Members are due to Mr. Stokes, who has kindly audited the accounts, The Meeting will take place at the Library on Monday, the 25th instant, at 5.30 p.m, when the favour of your attendance is cularly requested.
Cuartys H, Borcusr, Chairman, Shanghai, 18th March.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.