'SEsstox 1895.
The Committee, in submitting their Report to the Members of the Society, regret to say that, although the number of Members and the state of the Society's finances continue satisfactory, the session itself has not been successful as might be wished, on account of the little interest that has been taken in lectures and debates.
At the opening of the session a smoking concert. was given, which was exceedingly well attended, and which proved a decided success, but the average attendance at the other meetings has been but meagre.
Under these circumstances it will be sub-nited to the General Meeting whether it would not be advisable to bring the Society to an end.
During the Session five meetings were held—two devoted to debates, two to lectures, and one toa smoking coneert—on the follow: ing dates 1804.
2)—5th December.—Political Debate:
1—Gth October. Smoking Concert. "That the adoption of some form of Socialism by which competition is eliminated would be conducive to the best interests of mankind?" Affirmative: Mr. J. P. Donovan. Negative: The Rev. R. K. Massie.
1895.
3.—March 26th.—Religious Debate: "That the position of the Agnostic is more reasonable than that of the Theist." Affirmative: Mr. G. J. Morrison. Negative: The Rev.
Hawks Pott.
4—May 12th—Lecture by Mr. G J. Morrison on "Personal reminiscences of the laying of the first Atlantic Telegraph Cable in 1858, with some notes on the early days of submarine telegraphy."
SoMay 20th—-Lecture by Mr. C.C. Sone on "Submarine telegraphy," supplementing the lecture recently delivered by Mr. G. J. Morrison.
The Society has a credit balance of $326.14 as can be seen from the Hon. Treasurer's statement of accounts. In the event of its being decided to wind up the Society, it will be necessary to pass a resolution to Gispoce of the surplus funds, Twenty new Members joined, and the list now nunibers 184, In tendering their resignation the Committee. desire to thank all those Members and their friends who kindly assisted the Society during the session, W. Poarr, Hon, Secretary.
Shanghai, 30th January, 1896, Sraresexr or Accousts, from 2ist July, 1894, to Bist December, 1895.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.