On the other hand, it must be confessed that distress from lack of employment i very widespread just now. Possibly it. is only temporary, and doubtless bad weather accounts for a good deal of it, though we have up to the present had but a brief spell of frost. Still the Lord Mayor of London has found it necessary to set the Mansion House Committee on the unemployed to work, and to open a relief fund with an appeal to which a very fair response has so far been made." The scheme of the Bishop of Stepney and Canon Barnett for the establishment of lief works at Hadleigh and elsewhere has been started; and relief is also given to workmen in, their own homes in London. Garter King of Arms, away in the person of Sir Albert Woods, interesting State official has The son of a former Garter King of Arms, he received an appointment in the Herald's says of Queen Victoria's accession, and he loge as far back as 1837, within a few had been Garter King of Arms—the highest wraldic office under the Earl Marshal—since 1869. He was present in his then official capacity at the Coronation of Queen Victoria; "and although infirmity prevented him from attending the Coronation of her son, he gave considerable advisory assistance inthe preparations. "Sur Albert amassed a splendid genealogical library; whether it will be kept together or dispersed under the hammer it is too soam to say. He was for nearly forty-four years Grand Director of Ceremonies of the English Freemasons; but for some years past he has had to perfowrs the duties of this office by deputy. there remain Tls. 51,492.51, which the Directors propose should be dealt with as follows 4% of the' book value of Machinery Account to be written off as depreciation of Plant and Machinery, absorbing Tls. 25,102.74, and the balance of Tls. 26,389.77 to be carried forward to new account.
In consideration of the uncertain state of the Cotton market and the wild fluctuations of exchange it has not been thought advisable to pay a Dividend out of last year's profit, but to provide for contingencies by carrying forward the balance to new account.
Board of Directors.—The Directors regret to announce the decease of Mr. Wah Shen-fuh, which took place on the 18th September 1903. In his stead Mr. Ho Hsien-chuen has joined the Board, his election requiring the confirmation of the Shareholders.
In accordance with article 12 of the Rules of Association two members of the Board, Mr. Joh. Noelting, and. Mr. M. Mittag, retire by rotation, but, being eligible, offer themselves for re-election.
Auditor.—Mr. E, Gerecke, who has audited the accounts, offers himself for re-election.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.