"instead of our annual ball. a special appeal was made for members to subscribe to our charity funds. this resulted in the collection of $93,270 out of which the sum of $2,000 was earmarked as -the nucleus of scholarship fund and $1270 as don; to make some observations when the Yesolution to adopt the accounts Is am pleased to be able to tell you that all deserving Charity eases have been carefully attended to and satisfactorily dealt with by your Committee, In the course of the year we had our annual golf match against St, David's Society anc won after very een competition, It is rumoured, that. in order {o ty and defeat St. Patrick's team this year, the members of St. David's Society have engaged the services of m special coach. Our thanks are due {0 Messrs. Corbett, Hordmon and others. for making necestzty arrangements and selecting our team. T should like to mention that when times and conditions become easier, it Is hoped to arrange Unter-society competitions in both indoor and outdoor games. in fulfil ment of challenges made' by the several Presidents at meetings we had in the course of the year.
"Your President and Committee had the honour of entertaining at luncheons, Mr. A. H. George, 1.B.M. Consul General, and the Presidents of other National Societies and also representatives of the Dominions and Colonies. Including India, Joint Telegram "In May last. the Presidents of all National Soelettes in Shanghai and Chairman of various other British organizations joined together in a telegram, despatched to the Prime Minister, the Right Honorable Wins ton Churchill, wishing him success his office and containing their assurance that his leadership would bbe characterized by energy and resolution to defeat the enemy. A letter by the same organizations was: also sent fo the French Consul Gen~ feral in Shanghai, expressing faith in the destiny of France. I am sure you will all agree that this faith has sinew' been further strengthened by the admiraBle achievements of the Free French forces in the several war areas in which they are now engaged.
"During the year the British restments left Shanghai and we were accorded. with other societies, an opportunity of contributing towards small farewell gifts 10 the troops.
Had it been possible, we would have done much more to show how great ly we appreciated their services here.
"As you will see from the notes before you."there are now 131 members of the Society. including 48 life members; but many of them are absent from. Shanghai; 17 members Joined during the past year, while {the nomes of 26 have now left Shang-hal for good and have been reluctant-erased from the membership roll. fam pleased to say however, that in the lost few days, we have more proposals for membership. 1 would again earnestly request all members in~Shanghai to make every endeavour further to increase the membership of the Society. by searching out Irishmen and bringing them forward.
"Leaving us shortly are two of our very old members. one of whom is a past Vice-President. 1 refer to) Messrs. Perrin and Carey. We really appreciate their services to the Society anc wish them God speed and long life In their retirement. 1 do not propose to delay you long, but wish to point out that our Com: mittee have considered certain alterations {0 our rules are necessary. These rules refer to the duties of the President and Life Membership fees, and will be placed before you in the course of the evening.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.