Neale (Hon, Treasures), Mrs. Drammond, Mrs. Seaman, Mrs. Smalley, W. L, Thompson and Mrs. Lundt.
Mrs. H. E. Campbell and Mrs. White-Cooper also served on the Committee for part of the year. rerent 1907.
The Committee has much pleasure in placing the Seventh Annual Report bere subscribers and the pablic.
Owing to the kindness of friends who have interested themselves in the Refuge, the greatly increased expenses of the year 1907 have been met, without the incurring of any debt. The Shanghai Municipal Council "kindly acknowledged the work to be of snfficient public benefit to make a grant of Tls. 1,000. The Committee is very grateful for this fand, which has helped it considerably to carry on its work and increase the usefaluess of the Home.
The summer was an unfortunate one as far as the health of the children was concerned; four deaths occurring in Septeraber, and one in the spring. It is not surprising that children whose health is so undermined by cruelty, starvation and hard usage often develop: tuberculosis, in spite of what medical aid and care can do for them; most of the deaths at the Institution have been the result of this complaint. One little girl, who had been an inmate of the Refage for four years had—in her! earlier life—frequently been locked out of doors at night by her creel owners, and left to sleep in the cold without sufficient clothing and no bedding.
For several reasons the Committee feels that before long it will be necessary to remove the Home to a larger piece of ground, and erect a more suitable building; the present one is not large enough to accommodate the ever increasing number of inmates, nor does it contain " ward where cases of illness of an infections character may be isolated; this is felt especially necessary in regard to tubercular children who require s separate dormitory.
Since the foundation of the Home in 1901, eighty-six cases have passed through the hands of the Committee, thirty-five of whom have been received during the year; there are at present fifty-five inmates, Nine have died, some have been restored to parents, others have been sent to other schools, two are being trained as teachers at essGeld and one as a hospital nurse one irl who was found to be suffering from leprosy was sent to Dr. Main's Hospital for Lopes at Hangchow, one arried in December to a respectable house boy belonging to the English Church Mission, and a few others, who have not altogether appreciated their privileges, have ran away; these were among the older girls, who bad only been a short time in the Home, and were not so amenable to discipline, and probably more undeserving, been sent merely as "stray children, not having undergone any cruel treatment as far as the Police could report.
Perhaps the saddest case received during the year wasa little girl of eight years of age, who for trivial offences ind been treated with cruelty in the her poor little body had been burat with hot ins and her flesh pinched with hot pincers; her feet were in such a dreadful condition that one of her toes had to be cut off; she has been in the hospital for three months, and there is hope now that she will recover.
Another poor child, aged fourteen, was found by the Police in a dark room chained by the ankle, like an animal; she had bad cuts on her head and bruises on her body.
These are only a few of many similar and histories. It is an appalling fact that the very lives of so many poor little unfortunates are in the hands of their! cruel owners. The Committee makes once more an earnest appeal on their behalf, feeling sure they will meet with hearty response. More annual subscribers of $5 are needed, as the Committee depends largely upon this for its regular income. The work of the Refuge is carried en under the superintendence of a foreign Indy, under whose care the children have rapidly improved. They are given a short course of study during the mornings, they learn to do household work, cooking and sewing, besides growing their own cabbages.
The afternoon is devoted principally to needlework; they make all their own clothes and are able to take in some plain needlework, and in this way earn some money towards their support. They have been most. successful in darning, and friends who have kindly given them work of this kind to do have expressed every satisfaction with it.
The Committee does not anticipate any trouble in providing for the they grow older, feeling sure that usefal Chivese women will always be in request.
The Committee gratefully acknowledges the help of the Shanghai Municipal Police, who are always ready to give whatever assistance they are able, and the ladies of the " Door of Hope," who have kindly represented us at the Mixed Court on several occasions.
Most grateful thanks are also due to Dr. Tucker, of St. Luke's Hospital Dr. Davenport, of Shantung Road Hospital; Dr. "Myers, of St, Eliza it to the staff of the services.
At Christmas time a treat was git to the children, and the money for it subscribed privately.
'A telephone has also kindly been presented to the Refuge by two Indy friends.
1t will be noticed from the Treasurer's report that the fun present are very low, and the Committee will feel grateful if subscribers will kindly eond in their subscriptions as early as possible. The services of a shroff are nut engaged, so that it is not possible to collect accounts; the money may be sent to the Hon, Treasurer, Mrs, Neale, 10 Wei-hui-hei Road; to any members of the Committee, or to Miss Kimpton, Lady Superintendent of the Refuge. A receipt is always posted immediately and signed by the Hon. Treasurer.
Orders for plain sewing and damning may be left with Miss Kimpton, Slave Girls' Refuge, 15 Avenue Road.
Lvey E. Newcoxs, Hon, Secretary.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.