The Annual General meeting of the North China Branch of Royal Asiatic Society evening, 27th ult,, at Mr. G.'J. Morrison, pied "the chair, and ut. Mr. J. Haas, Vico-3 S. Southey Secretary the Rev. A. J. Bamford, and Messrs. A. Stripling, G. Deighton-Braysher, F. W. Dilberg, and HA. vos, Ameiunzen, anembera of the Society; and a fow visitors.
The minutes of the last meeting wore road and approved.
The President then read a report of the proceedings of the Society during the past year, The report stated that during th 17 members were elected and fi igned. There were on the li end of the year, 14 honorary. members, 26 corresponding members, and 130 ordinary members. Four general meet ings had been held, at which into ing papers had been read. It was stated that mention had been made in the report for the previous year of a proposal to re-Print some of the later journals which were out of print, A considerable number of members had subscribed towards the carrying out of this work, but it could not have been carried out but for the liberality of Sir Robert Hart, K.C.ILG., Inspector General of Chinese Customs. The republication would take place at an early date. An appeal made during the ear for contributions of articles to the use tim was readily responded to.
The reports of the Treasurer.and Secretary were then read, and the re-Port of the Curator of the Museum was taken as read, the President remarking that it consisted principally of a list of the additions which had been made to the eabibits during the year, The Preswenr said that the report of the librarian could not then be presented, on account of Mr. Slevogt's serious illness, which they all regretted. There was no member of the Society to whom they were more indebted than to Mr. Slevogt. Ho had taken great pains in the arrangement of the library, and whoever undertook the duties of librarian now would find it in perfect order. Commenting on the report of the Treasurer, ho said the Shanghai Library now paid Tls. 100 to the Asiatic Society for the use of their part of the Building, and the Society on their pa paid Tls. 150 for the museum, He said the Asiatic Society had erected the building upon land which had been granted to them, and subsequently the Shanghai Library' wanted premises. A considerable amount of money—excoeding Tls. 1,400—was spent by the Library in building, and that sum was borrowed by them for the purpose. The also spent other money in the building; and in consideration of this they were allowed to years,. 100 per annum for hold their rooms free of rent for tea
ton years subsequently. At the end of that time the building would belong entirely to the Asiatic Socisty. A part of the Library Premises had since been let to the museum for Ils. 150 per annum. The Library therefore now paid Tls. 100 per annum and received Tls. 150, s0 that the net payment made by the Society was Tls. 50, He thought they might consider the report to be very satisfactory. The balance in and was more than auificient to standing debts. He thought thi much as they could expect. Indeed, there was no necessity for them to accumulate funds, If the receipts were sufficient to cover the expenses that was all that needed Mr. Bawronn asked what the Young Mon Institute paid for the uso of the room.
The Secretary said they paid $25 last year.
The Prestvent obs have to pay $50 this Museum, he said its condition was satisfactory, but not so satisfactory as it ought to be. Mr. Jansen was of opinion that the Municipal Council might contribute more than they did, and enable them to engage a trained ni from England, who might collect specimens and devote his whole time to the museum; but the Council contributed Tis, 500, and he (Mr. Morrison) thought they could not be expected to do more at present, If Mr. Jansen could show him that the benefit to be derived would be a real put eft, hould be very happy to assist in trying to obtain from the Council a grant of money for the purpose. The next hi ness was for the outgoing officers to wish the Society good-bye, and thank them for the confidence they had reposed in them, In doing this they also put before the meeting the list of gentlemen whom they proposed should fill the offices next yeat. The list suggested by the Council was as follows President Mr. Drow. Vice Presidonts......{ Rev-sV; Muirhead. Hon. Sec. and Treasurer... Mir. Southey. Hon. Libraria Mr. Robinson, De. Smith. Dr. Birth, Mr. Slevogt. Mr. Kingsmill, Mr, Morrison. said he thought Mr. Slevogt, though ho could not continue the duties of librarian, was entitled, on account of the services lo had rendered to the Society, toa place on the Council. Dr. Birth, the Council thought, ought to be a member; Mr. Kingemill might be looked upon as one of the fathers of the Council; and he was sorry to say that the Council thought that his own name ought to be retained (applause) and he had therefore consented to his name being placed on the list of nominations, He was sorry he had not been able to do more for the Society. He was quite sure that Dr. Hirth's position in the service to which he belonged would enable him to address the other members of that service more directly, and would thus be enabled to collect information which would be very useful. He proposed that the list of officers submitted by the outgoing Council, as above, should be accepted.
Mr. Detonron-BraysHer asked if it would he in order for him to propose an amendment, The Preswenr said certainly it would, Mr. Deronron-BraysHeR proposed. that Dr. Hiri should be elected Vi President in place of Mr, Muirhead.
Me. Riviyoron said be had much pleastire in seconding the amendment, The Prestexr pointed out that the original resolution had not been seconded, He asked Mr. Southey if he would second it, as a matter of form.
Mr. Souruey accordingly seconded the original motion, The Present then ut the amend-ive hano The Szoxzrany said Mr. Haas would now be Senior Vice-President, the election of Dr. created a vacancy on the proposed list of the Council, Mr. SrRiruiNa proposed, as a further amendment to the list submitted, lection of Mr. Deighton-Braysher as a member of the Council in place of Dr. Birth, Ho said that Mr. Deighton-Braysher was now a resident of Shanghai, and would probably be a constant attendant, Mr. Déixpena seconded the amendment, Mr. Dzranron-Braysuer thought Mr. Stripling would be a more useful member of the Council than himself. He proposed the election of Mr. Stripling.
Mr. Vos AwenuxxeN seconded the nomination of Mr. Stripling.
Mr. Srarruino asked that they would kindly withdraw the proposal of his Ho should feel it a great honour pleasure to have a seat on the Council, but ho thought it would be more to the interest of the Society that Mr. Deighton-Braysher should be elected.
The Preswenr said Mr. Stripling had oltonded the mostings very rogulurly; and ho knew they could count on that gentleman's support. But he believed that Mr. Stripling hiad never boon anxious to hold ofice, and that he was speaking the truth when ho said ho did not wish to be elected on the Council, If he (Mr. Morrison] thought otherwise, he should be glad to withdraw in Mr. Stripling's favour. He had proposed Mr. Muirhoad's name as Vice-President, but he thought it would be better for the Society that there should be a little new blood in it, and he therefore would not propose Mr. Muihead's election a member of the Council, The nomination of Mr. Stripling was withdrawn, and the amendment to place Mr. Deighton B: 's name on the list was carried unanimously, The Cuarnwan then put the list, as amended, before the mooting, and it was adopted.
The Paeswenr said that as this was the annual meeting of the Society it was just possible that some of those present might marks that they would either upon the conduct of the Council or upon anything else connected with the Society.
Dr. Dexvenc suggested that they should hold closed meetings. People could at present come to the meetings without becoming members of the Society, and some of them did not seo why they should pay $10 when they could get the same advantage without paying it,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.