Due general meeting of subscribers to the Shanghai Library was held on 3 day evening, with Mr. ¥. 8. A. Bourne in the chair.
Mr, Bourne, proposing the adoption of the already-published report and accounts, referred to the adverse balance of Tis. and to a debt still unpaid, and explained that the Committee spent as much as possible on new books. Very often spent more than they " had at it, it was only half or three parts complete. Once the classification was done, the Chinese assistants and the Librarian would have little difficulty in carrying out their excellent plan. He was pleased to announce that 2 few ladies and gentlemen had undertaken to prepare that classification.
Mr. H. B. Morse seconded. Ho sala be thoroughly approved of the reduction of the amount.of subscription, as he had regarded the attempt to increase % as a mistake. About eight years ago he remembered that 2 meeting decided in favour of a reduction ith a view of extending the usefulness of the Library. A committee was appointed, but for some reason was never carried out. The Library ought certainly to become more popular than it was at curtailing such expenditure in, the succeed: Present Sirtrear*so that tne amount owing did not go The resolution was carried.
iment, and adjusted matters by the last who Chairman proposed the amendment beyond reasonable figure. During few years, he regretted to say, Us been "a diminution of public interest in Library, and consequent decrease in the funds subscribed, which again had bad its effect upon the supply of now books. efor~ fence was made in the report to the landlord's proposal to double the rent of the premises They formerly occupied, making it Ths. 1,200 would have absolutely put a stop to We purchase of wore books, Mhd removed their raison d'etre as a public institution, S they hud pointed out the Municipal Council, reminding that boi yy that the Labraxy was really for the benet of its constituents, und requesting its, wasistanee in. unring the institution turougn whut appeared to be a critical period of 118, existence. Instead of making them a grant money, the Council offered them this north room of the Town Ball, and here they were.
thought. the subscribers present would agree that they were much better off so far went, as moir old quarters that could be desired. They mot at all 2 pleasant place.
Tale that. the Library was now rather too far from the centre of the town 5 but possibly might be that in the future, when nother public building was erected in more central position, the Council might make arrangements to transfer the Library. When they raised the subscription to Sa) to Byelaw NIL in accordance with that resolution.
The Rev. G. H. Bondfield in soco... took occasion to-corroborate Mr. Morse's recollection, but believed the incident occurred more recently tian eight years age. ar.
J. Morrison in particular was convinced twat a popular subscription would tend to popularize the Library. Ho (sir. Bondfiela)
rejoiced that the Committee now had: the Courage to adopt that course. It would not be auuiss, perhaps, to issue circulars ab intervals to nolwembers, calling attention to te undoubted advantages offered by the Library, and the lowness of the subscription. Koch member wt year had taken out 10/ books, more than two a week, und many must have taken one every day. There was a most interesting selection of books to suit all tastes, and the supply of literature was likewise yuod. These would improve i forward, and the Librury would enter a new exa of prosperity and usefulness.
"The resolution was curried.
Phe Committee for the ensuing year had now to be elected. The Chairman announced that both Mr. Addis and himself were going home; and proposed the election of Messrs. L. N. Leefe (Hon. Sec.) C. Comins, (Kev.)
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.