Minutes of meeting of Committee of the Chinese Polytechnic Institution and Reading-room, held at the offices of the China "Merchants? Steam Navigation Company, 16th July, 1875.
Present:—Messrs. Wylie, Kingsmill, Wang Yung-ho, and Medhurst.
Mr. Mepuvrsr presented excuses from Mr. Fryer, on the ground of sickness.
Messrs. Hsii, junt. and sent., not having yet presented themselves, general business was taken up to save time.
The letters from the Home agent to the Secretary, were read—dating from 26th Fob, to 14th May, inclusi The Secretary's suggestion in reference to replying to these letters was accepted. He was requested, however, to add the observation that the Committee would wish to avoid, in connection with the institution, any appearance of directly promoting the individual mercantile interests of such firms as may send articles for exhibition; and that, as soon as the institution was embarked, and had been got into working order, it would be quite time enough to enter upon the question of engaging an individual to take charge of the concern, under the direction of the Committee.
Mr. H. Bndler's lotter, reporting the formation of a kindred institution at Amoy, was read. 'The Secretary wis instructed to reply, offering all ce-operation possible' consistent with present plans.
Mr. Wrute wished his objection recorded. against the Amoy scheme, as contemplating the exclusion of all religious works of a ptoselytising character.
A vote of thanks was proposed in favour of Mr, Seaman, for his gift of a copy of the " Chow Mr. Write undertook to look after the recuring of books, when he returns from apan, whither he proceeds to-night cee) He suggested the making of a finite estimate of the probable sum available for the purpose.
Messrs. Hsii, sour, and junt, (who here made their appearance), promised to draw out a sketch-list of works to be proposed for the Library.
Mr. Meouonsr reported payment for Lot, and Transfer in Consulate Register.
Mr. Kixcsaint consented to mark out the ground in company with Mr. Lester, suggesting that that gentleman should be requested to put himself in communication with Mr. Kingsmill to this end, The building question ing been troduced, Mr. Krvasxrcz repented his previous objections to the haphazard method of proceeding without consulting professional aid. Eventually, it was unanimously agreed that Mr, List's plan and specification should be accepted; and that he should be authorised to make the contract with the party tendering—viz., for Tia. 2,960, to be completed in three months' time the building to be erected in the S.-W. corner of Lot—not the centre of South face; and further funds to be raised by mortgage of spare land, if necessary.
The meeting then separated,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.