Mr. C..S. Speyer, the retiring President, occupied the chair at the twenty-first annual] meeting of the Association of Lancastrians in China, held at, Messrs. Maitland Co.'s auction room, on Thursday. There were about 40 members present.
The Chairman said that during the year they had lost by death Sir Everard Fraser, K.c.M.c., and Mr. E. B. Broadrick. Sir Everard was their first honorary life members and his generosity and geniality, besides his interesting and witty speeches at their gatherings, would be remembered by all. In Mr. Broadrick they had lost one of their most loyal and active members. He was their Vice-President last year and would have been their President this year.
The members stood whilst passing resolutions of condolence which it was directed should be sent to the families of the deceased.
Regarding the accounts, the Chairman said that it had always been difficult to collect subscriptions and there was still a big sum outstanding, which it was hoped would be paid as soon as possible. They had $312 in hand. Only one call was made on the charity fund, for a contribution towards the expenses of the funeral) of a member who died in straitened circumstances. They had expected many more appeals, having in view the slack condition' which prevailed in the business world, but fortunately there had not been any.
The report and accounts were adopted and the following officers elected:—President, Mr. ©. W. Beswick; Vice-President, Mr. R. Grimshaw; Secretary, Mr.
Kerr; Treasurer, Mr. L. A. rap; Committee, Messrs. ©. 8S. Speyer, H. Holgate, H. W. P. Mc-Meckin, E. G. Barnes, W. N. Scott and H. W. Pilcher.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.