As I said before, we were privileged to take our share in the civie work to be done during the disturbances here last June. The Association was asked by Mr. Peebles, the Comptroller Voluntary " Services, to undertake the registration of volunteers. for work that could be performed by women; and Headquarters was a busy place while members poured in to offer their services. 490 reistered their names for helping in the different jobs for which we were asked to supply workers—these to take the place either of the Chinese, who had left their posts owing' to the strike, or of foreigners who were serving - with the volunteers. We were able to send workers to. the Telephone Company, the "North—China Daily} News," the "Shanghai Mercury," Messrs. Edward Evans, and the Kitchen Dept. of the S.V.C, The 'Sailors' Camps. been opened, when we received an urgent request that we should supply them with mosquito nets, the! men being totally unprovided with Such necessaries, and suffering very considerably in consequence. Work-ug. parties were hastily organized under Mrs, Craddock, Mrs, Trueman and Mrs. Hillman; and nearly 450 nets were finished and sent out in fess than 48 hours. Later were asked to syoply the other camps; the 'Association " altogether making about 600 nets, the material for which was paid for by the Municipal Couneit, 'The Hospital Aid Dept. also: had their special job, which was to provide emergency' outfits for three teniporary ambulances that. were being fitted up as a. precautionary measure—though fortunately the Situation did not develop in such 4 manner'as to bring them into use, small ladies' committee formed to provide comforts for the sailors in camp; and this, with money collected privately, purchased joe, vegetables, tobacco, games. and other amenities for the men who were guarding the Settlement.
Lastly, in conjunction with the American Women's Club, and under the leadership of Mrs. Sowerby, the B.W.A, staffed motor canteen, which went out every night for si weeks, manned by voluntary helper: taking refreshment to volunteers, who were on night duty,—refres rene which I believe appreciated. The cost in th was borne partly by the Council, and partly by private donation and 'The Retiring Committee I should to express our like thanks to the members of the Committee, who are now retiring, for the work which they have done for the Association; to Mrs. MeMichael, who has been' on the Executive Committee since the Association started in 1921; to Mrs. Darroch, Mrs. Dovey, Mrs, Peebles, Brenan, Mrs. Jory and Mrs. Gull,—to all of whom the cordial thanks of the Association are due. Our Vice Chairman, Mrs. Leslie, left for Home on March 2, on' long eave, She will be much missed this most ie throwing herself heartily the multifarious jobs which she' has undertaken, both on the Executive Committee, and as Vice Chairman of the Hospitality Committee. For 11 months she served as Vice Chairman of the Association, and X should like here to record my deep appreciation of loyal support and help I pavo al-occasion. We all wish her a good holiday, and hope she will return' with renewed energy. and fresh ideas for the welfare of the Association. On her departure E. H. McMichael was elected Vice Chairman, and. has served in that capacity' for the last three weeks.
Membership The number of members now on our books is approximately 1,133, 180 having joined the Associ during the past year. This number is made up of 950 Shanghai members, 36 outport members, 89 members known to be on leave,—of whom four are outport—and. 28, presumably. in Shanghai, whose dresses are unknown,' There also 10, who have been elected, but.
not taken up their member.
Over 1,000 members paid their subscriptions, a better record than the Chairman could report to you last year, this despite the fact that the subseription was raised from $3 to $5. 1 ask all those who change their address to notify the Secretary of the fact, and thus save the Office both expense and toil in trying to find missing people known to be still in Shanghei, I might also remark in passing that, in spite of our large membership, there are still a goodly number of British women in Shanghai, who do not belong to the Association, should like to say how much members of the Association, who are responsible in any way for dealings with the press, will Miss Ruth Benedict, of "North-China Daily—_ News,' when she leaves at end of this month to go on It she has as happy a holiday wish her, she will certainly do well, 'The Gardening Section, of which 'Mrs. Craddock has been' Chairman during the past year, now totals 182 members, an increase of 22 on last season.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.