The annual geveral meeting of members of the Shanghai Literary and Debating Society was held on Monday evening at the Philharmonic Hall, Mr. John Macgregor, President, in the chair, Those also present were, Messrs, R. E Wainewright, Drummond Hay (Hon, Secretary), Conunittee A. Jamieson M.D., D. Reid, M.B., C. S. 'Addis, R. A, Anderson, A. M. A. Evans, L. Moore, H. J. Shurp,' Murray Stewart: 'A, Stewart, Geo. Taylor and Woodward.
The Chairman, in referring to the small number of members present, said it was generally considered that when people Were satisfied with accounts they signified it by not attending to discuss them. If that was 0, the accounts of the Society must be in a very satisfactory condition but all the same it was not encouraging to the committee who devoted their time to the business of the Suciety to be met by such a poor attendance at the end of the year when they rendered an account of their stewardship. When the literary portion of the Society held sway—ie. at the smoking concerts—they attended, it might almost be said, in their hundreds fand their thousands. " Passing on to refer to the Society's operations, the Chairman said it would be seen, on looking at the st of debates, und the papers read, that there had been several interesting meetings. The membership had been well sustained. There were now 363 members, which he believed was about 30 more than at the corresponding period of the previous year. He regretted, however, that the hon. seer tary hud had'to call attention to Rule as regards non-payment of subscription! 'The accounts showed an outstanding balance of $737.00 as against $647.50 in the previous year. 'This was much tov large a proportion of the total subscriptions. After referring to the reasons for the delay in Shairman' concluded by saying it would riting the report and accounts, the
rest with the incoming committee ty decide whether they should apply Rule 15 in the case of thuse whu had not paid. Some of these members had better retire from the Society, for he lad no doubt that some of them took advantage of the musical entertainments.
Dr. Jamieson proposed that without further notice the hou. secretary be instructed to strike off the list ut members those who had not paid their entrance fees. The amount outstanding was nearly one-third of the total income of the Society.
Mr. A. M. A. Evans, in seconding, suggested that no tickets for entertainments should be issued to these who had not paid their annual subscriptions.
Mr. Drummond Hay thought it would better tu send a notice to members who had not paid their subscriptions, informing them that they could not obtain tickets unless their subscriptions were paid within a given time. There was not so auch difficulty in obtaining entrance fees.
After some further discussion, Dr. Jamiesou's resolution was put and carried, The election of the Committee then took place, with the result that the following were chosen—Rev. H. C. Hodges, Dr. Reid, Dr. Jamieson, Messrs. Addis, Sharp, Murray Stewart, Wainewright, Bredon, and Taylor.
The Chairman announced with regret that Mr. Drummond Hay had not seen his way to again act as honorary secretary. There was no man to whom the Society owed more." He had been busy in season and out of season in the Society's interest, and a debt of gratitude was due to him, Dr. Jamieson said that, without wishing to imply a re on the outgoing committee, he desired to obtain an expression of opinion from the members on two points (1) the advisability of permitting the publication of reports ut the debates in the newspapers, and (2) the introduction the debates' of questions affecting religi and morals, The committee had prob bited these two things, but he thought they ought both to be allowed.
The Chairman said that if the meeting decided in favour of the publication of re= ports he should not take it as implying a Censure on the outgoing committee; but he lating to relig Mr. Drummond Hay said the meetings had been closed because it was thought that inexperienced members would be more likely to speak if they knew they were not being reported; but the change-had not caused any increase in the number of speakers.
In the discussion which followed Messrs, inewright, Addis and Taylor favoured of reports, the two Ixstin favour of debates and morals. having closed the dis cussion by stating that the views put forward would be considered by the committee. the proceedings terminated with a cordial vote of thanks, moved by Dr. Jamieson, to the outgoing committee and particularly to the president and hon, secretary, who both briefly acknowledged the compliment.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.