The Committee of this Institution have again the pleasure of presenting their Annual jert and accounts for the past year to their friends and supporters.
Before entering on the account of the progress of the School and Home during the 1 year, we have to deplore the sad loss the Institution has sustained in we death of the j Rev. H. C. Hodges. Its prosperity und welfare lay very near his heart, and during his 17 years' residence in Shanghai, he never spared himself in ensuring the one or the other. His frequent, visits to the home will be much missed, not only by the boys and girls, in whose spiritual welfare he took so warm an interest, but also by all the members of the Staff, whom he was over ready to help by his advice and sympathy. The improvements and repairs in the school
supervision, and in this ment too his balling lays zeoaivd, Bi sttanlon aad Joss will be felt.
'The Ladies' Committee also groutly regret their loss in the departure of Mrs. Hodges for England. It will be dificult, if not impossible, to replace one whose knowledge and experience made her services invaluable, and whose unfailing interest hus helped so much towards the encouragement of its workers.
There have been no changes on the Staff ing the past year, and the Commutteo glad to express their satisfaction with all its members. Mr. Price had a long. and trying illness in the early summer and during his enforced absence from work, Mr. Cartwright carried on the school most In the Girls' School we are now to lose Miss Neatby, who is retiring from the post of Lady Superintendent on account of her marriage, The Commitiee fal take this opportunity of expressing their high appre-Cution of her eamuestness in the fuldlment of her duties during the three years she has been in the home, and the improvement she has effected in many respects. The youd wishes of all for her future happiness go with her on her retirement.
'A slight change is now to be made in our arrangements. Miss Usher is to take Miss Neatby's place as Lady Superintendent, and we have secured the services of a Graham, © lady of much experience from Australia, to undertake the work of Matron of the Girls' School. Tt has been long felt, that if the girls could be trained in a few domestic duties, in addition to their studies, they would be better equipped for going out in life os nurses or mothers' helps, when they are old enough to leave the school. This now, with the help of a working matron, we hope to accomplish. For the last two years more attention has been given to the needlework, and under Miss Usher's superintendence, there has been 2 great improvement in respect.
Several boys have left. the school during the year for situations, and we are glad to rt that all are so far doing well, as are others who have gone out to work in previous. years.
Of the girls three only have left the school this year, one wen. to be married, another to keep her brother's house, and the other has gone into a situation, The health of both boys and girls has been very good, which reflects great credit
and there have been no cases of serious ill thatthe school th pee any epilen dat thas any epidemic ness.
'At the beginning of the year it was decided by the Ladies' Commitiee to hold a sile of work in the autumn to strengthen the Endowment fund, and also to have a sum of money in hand to meet the many ex penses which, in an Institution of this ki are always being incurred. We are lad w say, that through the kind help and support of many friends, among may especially mention Mr. and Mls. A. W. Burkill, who spared neither trouble' uor expense to make the bazar a success, our tions were more than realised, and we had the satisfaction of handing over io our Hoo. Treasurer the sum of $4,691.12. This. sum is especially welcome as we have had to spend a good deal on the School this year in repairs.
As regards the accounts, it will be seen the subscriptions and donations slightly exceed the sum realised in 1902 (92,710.81), as the total sum received is $2,806.36, to which must be added $387.23 being the pro-coeds of a concert held at the Country Club on behalf of the Institution, making'a sum of $5,193.59 for 1903. The number 91 subscribers is however Isss, due partly to friends leaving Shanghai. "The thanks of the Committee are due to the many friends who have kindly contributed gifts of various kinds during the year and which are always ggestly appreciated. We leo thank E. Anton for so kindly auditing the accounts for the year.
'Tue Boys' Derantwent.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.