The 59th annual general meeting of members of St. Andrew's of Shanghai was held on Monday Jat the offices of Messrs. Maitland Ca, Ld., 33-4, Szechuan Road, and despite the fact that the Shanghai Scottish, S. V. C, were mobilized, there was a large attendance, Mr. C. H. Rutherford (President) was in the chair and was supported by Messrs. J. G. Clay (Hon. Secretary), Donald Mackenzie (Hon. Secretary), R. G. Dowie, E. F. Mackay, A. B. Lowsot, C. W. Porter, John Prentice, C. J. Scott, R. G. Mac-Donald, R. B. Herbert, J. J. Pater son, Dr. Hf. Lovett Cumming and Col, W. F. L. Gordon, emg., ds.o.
In proposing the adoption of the report and account, the Chairman aid:
Gentlemen—The report and ace counts having been in your hano some days, with your permission I will' adopt the usual procedure and take them as read. You will see from the accounts, that the Society is in a flourishing. condition and that our activities are well maintained. St. Andrew's Day was celebrated by holding ball which was a record in the annals of the Society; as a social function it was an unqualified success, and financially it enabled us to add a jerable sum to four general funds for charitable purposes. The Caledonian ball has for' many years become an. annual feature in the life of Shanghai, and it has now reached such Inrge proportions that I feel T cannot pass without taking thix opportunity of expressing special thanks to the ball committee who, devoted so much energy in order achieve such a splendid result.
Under the heading of Charity you will observe, assistance was.
ven in 21 cases, which made quite an inroad into our charity fund, I am pleased to report, however, that owing to. the loyal support of members of the Society were able to meet all deserving fealls from revenue and special donations, and our Charity Reserve Account still remains intact and is on fixed deposit with our bankers.
The bursaries were awarded this vext to Eleanor Darroch, May Baxter, and Mary McGregor, all of the Shanghai Public School for girls, and it is very gratifying to Ieaen there is a marked improvement this year, the papers being of a very high order, the winner the first prize, Eleanor Darroch obtaining a record in order merit since the bursary was first With regard to the semi-annual golf match with St. George's Society, Iam sorry to say that the St. Andrew's Society Golf team was defeated on both occasions, and the St. George's Society has now registered two wins on the "Prentice" Cup. I think the St. Anirew's Society is entitled to look for better results from our golfing representatives, it is the only department that' has let down, but I understand that Mr. Porter is busy working on a team vhich we hope will make good during the next two matches. This would give us two logs all, and then may the best team win.
Gentlemen, I think this covers all the remarks T have to mal regarding the accounts and 1 will now formally move the resolution that "The 59th annual report and accounts for the year ended August 31, 1924, as duly audited and presented, be passed. This is seconded by Mr. C. J. Scott, but before putting the resolution to the meeting, I shall be pleased to answer any' questions" relative to the accounts.
There were no questions, and the report and accounts were passed! nem. con.
Continuing his speech, the: Chairman stid:—We now come to the election of President for the [Society and I am going to take the unusual course of proposing past, President for. this important office. As you are already aware, we have just passed our 59th annual report and accounts, and we are therefore entering pur 60th, oF diamond. jubilee year of the Society. The Society was founded in th year 1865 and we still have one of our original members with us, Mr. Brodie A.. Clarke (Applause). T cannot conceive a more fitting way of filling the President's. chair than by electing Mr. Brodie A: Clarke. Mr. Clarke was President of the Society in 1900 and was: the first District Grand Master China for Scottish Freemasonry. He is too well known to you all need any further introduction and T now have much pleasure in proposing him as President of the Society for the ensuing year.
John Prentice seconded the proposition, which was carried by vote and acclamation, On the proposal of Mr, Prentice, seconded by Mr. Rutherford, Mr R. G. Dowie was elected " Vice-
President.
The Chairman said that Mr. D. MeColl, their Into Vice-President, was now on his way home and would not be able to take any active part in work of the committee for some time to come, but he had sent his greetings and best ies for the work and wellbeing of the Society. meeting was the Committee for the ensuing year, and the following were elected en bloc, on the proposal of the Chairman, seconded by Mr. C. M, Bain:—Messrs, Brodie A. Clarke, R. G, Dowie, A. T. Downie, J. G: Clay, E. PF. Mackay, A. B. Lowson, Donald Mackenzie, "Ranald McDonald, C. W,' Porter, John Prentice, 'C. H, Rutherford, C. J. Scott, R. G. MacDonald, Dr." LIT. Lovett Cumming, Dr. H. Couper Patrick, Col. W. F. L. Gordon, D.
Hutchison, R. B Herbert, J. J.
paterson, H. A. Melntyre and J, McGregor.
The Chairman's statement. that Mr. J. G. Clay and Mr. Donald Mackenzie had consented to carry fon the duties of Hon, Secretary and Hon. Treasurer, respectively, was received with hearty applause, Mr. C. M. Bain asked the members to put on record their deep debt of gratitude to their retiring President, Mr. C, H. Rutherford, for excellent work for the Society during his term of off ca, In addition to other onerous duties that fell to the President, he mad mention of the splendid success of last year's Caledonian Ball, successful as a social function as it had been financially, He mention-also the energies of Mrs. Rutherford in that connexion, as well ax the fact that their retiring President was one of the founders of the Scottish Company. He believed' that he was thus voicing the sentiments of all members of the Society In reply, Mr. Rutherford said that any work he had Wone for the Society had always been as much pleasure as a task, It had been a. great honour to him to hold the position of President of the Society and: it would always be a pleasant memory. The receipts from las: year's ball and other sources had Droved a record, but he hoped that ext year, unde the Presidency of Brodie Clarke, there would be ill better record for their lamond jubilee. His five yencx connexion with the Shanghai Scot tish, S.V.C., during 22 years in the Volunteers "here, would also be one of his happiest recollections.
In proposing a vote of thanks to the Committee, Mr. Donald Donald congratulated them upon their good work and hoped that the incoming Committee would similar support to Mr. Brodie Clarke.
Replying on behalf of the Committee, Mr. Rutherford referred "9 the excellent support all_members iad_given to him, and mentioned icularly the special work of the Hon. Secretary, the Hon, Treasurer, and that of Mr. C. W. Porter, a3 Acting Secretary during the absensa of Mr. Cla; The Chairman then asked for suggestions as to the manner in which St. Andrew's Day should b" celebrated, and Mr. Brodie Clarke suggested'a ball. He said that the annual Caledonian ball had always been looked forward to, not only by the Scottish, but by residents of other countries as well, as one of the principal functions of the dancing season. Years ago St. Andrew' Day ~had: been: celebrated by. dinner, but they did not now to sit-down to a.mieal: aid listen. to dry: speeches, In 1873, or there-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.