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Mrs. North assisted by Mrs. Hawkins, Mrs. Kelvin-Stark and Mrs. Colter of Shanghai started an Assessment Office to inquire into the financial status of the refugees. This was a fine piece of work and of great help. As a result of these investigations the Committee was later able to make weekly allowances to those without funds.
The South China Morning Post opened a subscription list and $513 was collected. At this stage Mr. J. H. Taggart came forward most generously with a munificent donation of $10,000 for the refugees, to be disbursed at the discretion of the Ladies Welfare Committee. Mr. F. C. Hall very generously sent a donation of $1,000 and Mrs. C. G. Alabaster $100. Later gifts included $50 from the Rotary Club, $50 anonymous and $325 from Sir Vandeleur Grayburn.
At the Committee meeting of 28th August a letter from Hon. Mr. R. A. C. North was read saying that Mrs. North had been seriously ill for some days and was obliged to withdraw from the Committee. Mrs. North had done very valuable and arduous work and her resignation was much regretted.
It was then decided to enlarge the Committee, as with the charitable funds at its disposal the scope of the work had grown. The Committee was then constituted in the following manner and so remained until it was wound up on 25th January, 1938:
Chairman, Mrs. N. L. Smith,
Treasurer, Lady MacGregor,
Secretary, Mrs. R. M. Henderson,
Mrs. Lindsell,
Mrs. Dicken,
Mrs. Richards,
Mrs. Gerrard,
Mrs. Wolf,
Meetings were held daily during the first week, then twice weekly for a month, and subsequently once a week.
Jockey Club Refugee Centre.
At a meeting held on 22nd August it was decided that Mrs. Lindsell should be in charge of the Welfare Bureau at the Jockey Club, helped by Mrs. Whyte-Smith and Mrs. Maughan supported by a capable band of assistants.
The maximum number of refugees accommodated at this Centre was 528.
Clothing, etc.
The public came forward spontaneously with gifts of clothing, perambulators, cots, books, toys, cigarettes, etc., and there was a ready response to broadcast appeals. The Hong Kong Benevolent Society sent a quantity of clothing and Messrs. Davie, Boag sent a very generous consignment of shoes and clothes and later a further gift of 7 dozen pairs of rubber shoes.
Library.
Books and magazines were most kindly donated and a library was started in charge of Mrs. Margrett.
Nursery School.
Mrs. Nicol helped by Mrs. Key, Mrs. Pryde and the Girl Guides ran a Nursery School which was a great help in keeping the children employed.