A meeting of subscribers to this old established institution was convened for Monday, to receive a report from the Committe appointed on the 13th April to confer with the Trustees of the Recreation Fund as to the possibility of obtaining aid from that Fund, 'Those present were 'Mr. Consul Medhurst, in the chair; Rev. Canon Butcher, Dr,' Macgowan, Messrs, H. Cordier, M. 0. FitzGerald, A. J. How, J, Maclellan, and Thorburn, all "members of the Committee; only one subscriber, Mr. Eames, attended the meeting.
Mr. How read the minutes of the Annual Meeting, and without further preface, The Caarman read the report of the special committee, as follow:
3 Ph et aga Suosriteraon 0 dupe rom nile of the Shanghai Library, praented
Tue Committee, in accordance with the resolution yased at the Amiual Seeing of Sutweribers, held No thirteenth of April lat, plscedthemootves income munication with the Trustee of the Recreation "Fund, withthe view of obtaining: from ther much aasstaes nig be tee ary te onthe uray ati the thd of the year. The Dewstesin reply stated dat they ers una gee anyo othe ay.
ently' the Committes addrestd the Com-atten of the Shanghai Club, in the hope that that body igi be ablotomake an ofr to the Library, Dut it dace not appear that they ate in a position to fo; and te mibseribers are aow called together to cone tier what course sould he adopted.
Cuaxuss Husny Burcuen, Chairman of Contec, The Chairman observed that they were met to consider what course should be adopted under the extraordinary circumstances in which they were placed. He would be glad to hear any suggestions from gentlemen present.
Mr. Eawes said he did not usually infest public meetings, but thought he would attend this one, as it was exceptional. He would like to ask what were the extraordinary circumstances alluded to by th Chairman?
The Cuamaan said they arose from the great lack of public support. During the past two months, the Committee lad gone over matters in connection with the Library, and found it was not possible to pay their way beyond a cer-fain date. They then discussed the expedioncy of appealing to the subscribers and the public for increased support, and a number of resolutions were proposed, culminating in the report now presented, which would show how they now stood. Mr. How would say what the financial aspect of the subject was.
Mr, How said that Tls. 700 were required to meet the expenses of the Library between the present date and the end of the year; or an increase of 70 new subscribers per annum, over those now on the books.
Mr. Eames remarked that one of two things must be done,—either the management of the Library must be placed in better hands, or (he was understood to say) the institution be allowed to drop. The books were in a very bad state, and some volumes of certain sets were missing. He did not wish to find fault with the librarian, for he believed he was too busy in other ways to attend to the Library. It was unfortunate thata library had been started at the Club, because in Shanghai two libraries were not required—they could not be supported. It would, he thought, be well to try to make some arrangement with the Club.
Mr. Macueutan said that much fewer books were now missing than was at one time supposed.
Mr, How, in reference to that subject, said his experience had been similar to that of Mr. Eames.
Mr, Cantos asked how they were to get out of such a difficulty Mr. How replied that unless help was speedily forthcoming, the books must be sold, Mr. Eawes said he for one did not want tosca the Library go down like that. Now, Dooks, he was told that it had been simply with regard to the continued supply of new
left to a bookseller in London to choose what books he thought proper, and he ould certainly be above the average of huan nature, if he didn't send works out here that were difficult to sell at home. They. could do better than that, by having cata-Jogues sent out, and marking the volumes they wished to receiv the CuarmMan reminded Mr. Eames that the meeting was not called to discuss that question. Their particular object was to decide what was to be done to sustain the Library in such an emergency. He was sure Mr, Eames would excuse his recalling him to the business of the meeting.
The Rev. Canon Burcuex said they had listened to the melancholy speech of Mr. Eames; but he (the speaker) had had an impression lately that circumstances were somewhat mending. They had been informed that the income of the Library fallen from Tls. 1,200 to Tls. 700. "That statement alarmed the Committee very much, and showed them there was cause to begin to set their house in order. 'The Club, it was also said, were going to introduce' a library which was to become a circulating library, but he might tell them that was not likely to be carried, into effect, at least not for some considerable
the former subscribers to this Library were time,' That impression having gone abroad, coming back again. It would be a wrong step, he thought, to sell the books, for they would not obtain anything like their value and he ventured to prophesy, that in six weeks after they had been sold, the subscribers would wish they had them back again. With those views, he would propose—
That thie mesting Weare with rage, that owing t 4 that creat be forward to ea Testa in Shang:
the cure expentie Te therefore recommends loved cates s'more numerous Uoiy of suluribers be forthcoming The Cuarmuan wished it to be understood that the circular would include a statement of the pecuniary position of the Library.
Mr. Tuonnupy seconded the resolution, and it was carried nem, diss.
Mr, Eames moved the second resolution, as follows That in the event of the number of subscribers being too small to enable the institution to be carried on in an efficient manner, the Committee be, and are hereby, authorized to close the Library, and to dispose of the property in much way ay may erin to, hem' moe table, subject. to a confirmatory resolution meeting to be held on Monday the 7th September next.
Mr. FrrzGeraxp seconded the motion, The Cuamaan would suggest that after the circular had been distributed, the Committee should send round a list to all residents, inviting them to subscribe towards the object in view. There were many who would not come forward, unless the Committee took the trouble to invite them todo so. That apparent lukewarmness was not consequent upon unwillingness, but simply because they wanted stirring upond reminding. He mentioned. an instance as coming within his own knowledge in which sucha plan had been highly successful.
The meeting generally coincided with the Chairman's suggestions, and it was understood they would be carried into effect. The motion was then carried unanimously.
Mr. Eases supposed it was meant that unless a sufficient number of subscribers could be obtained by a certain date, the books would be a The Cuarmwan said the only question in his mind was whether they ad the power to sell.
A conversation ensued upon this point, in the course of which it was thought there was a bye-law in existence which gave them power to sell.
Mr. Eamzs said ho had not seen that bye-law, but, as a matter of common sani
doors open at a loss, spending perhaps one could compel them 10 keep their twice as much as they received.
The Rev. Mr. Burower—But we have no right to hoard money.
Mr. Bow here suid there was a by-law which authorised them to sell, and the resolution had been framed by' the Committee to meet that emergency.
Dr. Maccowansaid, as one of the Commit tee, he had received a gentle reproof at the handset Mr, Eamesas to the mismanagement of the Library. Some mont it a bad state, but since then anew departure, and he thought there was a much better arrangement now, wh would give the public every satisfaction The complaint made by Eames had been made by many other people, and he was glad Mr, Eames was present as the spokesman of the public, for it had given opportunity for alluding to the better state of things, The Committee had do-
moting the interests of the Library; and ho voted themselves with great enetay to pro (Dr. Macgowan) believed that if their fellow subscribers would join with them in the efforts they were making to keep stitution in existence, the result would popularity would be restored an its utility enhanced. 'They therefore ai aled to those who had stood by them 60 jong, to come back and help to preserve this' ancient institution, the fall of which would be a disgrace to them all as a community. (Appiause.)
The customary vote of thanks was passed tothe Chairman, and the meeting soparated.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.