accordance with an advertisement previously issued, ing of those interested in the formation of a Masonic Club assembled in the Masonic Hall last evening, when the following member the craft were present Cook, H. Evans, Cama; Silverthorne, Hickey, C. Merritt, Tweedie, Middleton, "T. W. 'Kingsmill,' Birt, Baffey, J.D. Glarke, Bishop, Pemberton, Tronwith, Skinner, J. Schulz, 8. Schulz, Anderson, Nicholson, é&e.
On the motion of Bro, Jansen, Bro. 'P, W. Kingsmill was unanimonly voted to the chair, The Cuarewan requested Bro. Tweed to.act as Secretary, He briefly explain ed the object of the present which was to take into consideration the formation of a Masonic Club. He said it was originally intended to establish club and library in connection with the Hall. The idea had emanated as far back as 1865, but time had altered since then and many things had prevented its being carried out. Bro. Jansen had now taken the matter in hand and would submit a proposal to the meeting.
Bro. JANsen said he had lately observed how unsatisfactorily the Hall had been occupied. He therefore thought the present a good opportunity to use the rooms on the ground floor for a Masonic lub, s0 as to keep them solely for the purposes of masonry. He proposed to make one room a library and. reading room, and another a refreshment bar, and added that $3,000 would be an ample sum to begin with, Billiards had been suggested, but he thought it not advisable to have them at present. If 30 members gave $100 each, interest being allowed on their money, the club could be started at once, He had made an estimate of the probable expenditure and found that, ex-elusive of billiards, it would amount to members a surplus of §600 would be left. The Engineers' Club did well on $1 a month, but there were more masons than engineers in Shanghai.
Bro. SniveRrnorNe suggested that a Committee be formed to make preliminary arrangements. He strongly urged the addition of a billiard room.
The Caareuan concurred in what had fallen feom the last speaker; he desired to hear any further opinion that might be offered and said that the large hall upstairs might be obtained for ebb purposes.
Bro. Scuutz said masonic clubs were numerous in Germany; he was glad to see that steps were being taken to form one here and would have much pleasure in becoming a member of it.
Bro, Evans supported the suggestion made by Bro. Silverthorne for the formation of a Committee.
Some conversation then ensued relative to a billiard room in which several brethren joined, after which Bro. Evans proposed, and Bro, Barry seconded, that a Masonic Club be formed as a meeting place for masons residents i or visiting, Shanghai, and that for th purpose the ground floor of the Masonic Hall be leased from the Executive Committee, Carried unanimously.
Bro. SiveRTHORNE then proposed and Bro. Sxnever seconded that all masons being of good standing and members of a masonic body in Shanghai or elsewhere be eligible as members of the club. Carried Bro. Coox then proposed and Bro. J. D. Cranks seconded that the fees chargeable to members shall not exceed $5 01 trance fee and $2 monthly subscription, Carried.
Bro, Brer propose: and Bro, Pewmenrow seconded that funds, not to exceed $4,000, be raised for starting the club by $10 scrip, bearing interest at the rate of 10 per cent. per annum. Carried.
Bro. Casazex proposed and Bro. Scuozze seconded that a provisional Committee be appointed consisting of Bros. Jansen, Pemberton, Bafly, Evans, Thorne, Cook, Kingsmill, Tweedie, the W.Ms. of Lodges and heads of various masonic bodies, Carried.
Shares to the value of $860 wore at once subscribed for amongst those who were present.
The Carnacan reminded the provisional Committee that their duties would be to meeting to report progret before opening the club.
'A vote of thanks was then unanimously passed to the Chairman and Secretary and the meeting adjourned.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.