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Branch's collection of books and periodicals. Once again we must acknowledge our gratitude to the Representative of the British Council who has allowed us to keep part of the collection in the Council's Library since 1968. The rather unsatisfactory division of the Branch's library between two locations continues, all the books now being housed in the Library of the Public Records Office by kind permission of the Archivist, Mr. Diamond, and the periodicals and pamphlets in the Library of the University of Hong Kong, and here we would also like to acknowledge our thanks.
Membership
The figure for membership I had last year for December 1974 was 565; consisting of 83 overseas, including both life and ordinary, membership; 55 local life members, and 427 ordinary local members. In December 1975 the figure stood at 613, consisting of 114 overseas (life and ordinary) members, 139 local life members and 360 local ordinary members. Many members changed to life membership during the year. Generally speaking we have had a gain in membership taking into account losses of membership owing to resignations on leaving Hong Kong, and deaths of which there were three. This figure very sadly included Dr. J. R. Jones who died in January.
Dr. J. R. Jones
Dr. J. R. Jones was our first president, holding office from 1959 when the Society was resuscitated after a period of 100 years, by Dr. Jones, myself and Mr. Cranmer-Byng now in Canada and first Editor of the Journal, until 1969 when he was succeeded by Sir Lindsay Ride. Dr. Jones did much to encourage the growth of our membership, indeed he signed his last form as proposer of a new member only a few days before his death. Also, one of his last acts was to present a bound set of the Journals of the North China Branch of the Society—a Branch of which he was also an active member and organiser for many years; and he has also left us some other books from his collection. Members of your Council attended Dr. Jones' funeral and a wreath was sent on behalf of the Society, whilst Dr. Hayes was one of the pall-bearers.
The Photographic Survey
The Photographic Survey has made good progress during the year and a substantial part of the Western District of Victoria had