THE H.K. BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.
THE CASE FOR ORGANISED CHARITY PUT BY MRS.
SOUTHORN AND HON. MR. W. E. L. SHENTON.
GREAT
INCREASE IN NUMBER OF APPEALS LAST YEAR.
The annual meeting of the Hong Kong Benevolent Society was held yesterday in the Chear Q. Canteen, the City Hall. Mrs. W. T. Southorn, President, speaking from the chair, made an elo- quent appeal for the support of the public. Putting the case for organised charity against promiscuous almis giving, she said: "We endeavour to make our dispensations constractive-a means for re-establishing men and women-of educating children to be econo- mically independent, of building up young bodies by means of extra milk and food. We endeavour to avoid all dole-like assistance, ex- cept in the case of aged persons.”
The Hon. MẸ W. E. L. Shenton spoke of the duty of the Government to provide for those in need and put the ease for re- patriation of those who were unemployable.
Mrs. J. McCormack (Hon. "Secretary) 'read interesting account of the year's work.
full and mest
GOVERNMENT GRANT INCREASED.
THE REPORT.
THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1930.
mically independent-of building up young bodies by means of extra milk and food. We endeavour to avoid all dole-like assistance, except in the case of aged persons, who find themselves through no fault of own inadequately provided
their
14
with the necessarica of life...
In conclusion, I should like to point out that, whereas I am only the mouthpiece of the Society, "it is the other people-many of them a silent body-who do the work. I wish to express my thanks to all of my fellow workers, for their in- defatigable inbours and pleasant co- operation. And on behalf of the Committee. I wish to thank Mr. Shenton and Mr. Sutherland for their valuable advice during the past year, and the Press for their unfailing and generous assistance.
Appeal to the Public.
I appeal now to the generous public of Hong Kong, those who are present to-day and those who will read an account of these proceed ings, to give their names to-day or to send to Mrs. Goldsmith, our Honourary Treasurer, at 523, The Peak, either an annual subscription of 812 or
Life Subscription of $50, or any other contribution either larger or smaller. Only 125 of our fellow citizens Gro annual sub- scribers, and only 130 are Life Members, of which 3 have left the Colony. It is my hope that wo may find the members multiplying gives twice who gives freely is an tenfold during the coming year. He old proverb, and there is no doubt that it doubles both the effective ness and the satisfaction of our work if we can deal generously where generosity is needed. So often we have to spoil the ship for an extra ha porth of tar, or send
Charity and Commonsenie. The work of the Society is not The Report stated, inter alia sim Judging by the number of appli- achieved in an odd hour or so, cations made for relief, trade con- Members of the Committee give up ditions in the Colony have not in several mornings a week to attend proved, 103 visits have been paid at the City Hall, where the at the City Hall, representing 132 preliminary interviews take place families (as against 01 last year) and where clothing is distributed. adrift one who might make good.
the number of new cases being 60. Only a very few had to be refused help, the majority of these being transients, whom it was either not possible or deemed inadvisable to assist. In no instance has relief been refused without full enquires baving been made.
Personal visits are paid to the homes of applicants when necessary. Finally a fortnightly meeting of the whole Committee is held and every ense is judged on its merits."
Oh, the little more and how much
it is!
And the little less, and what
worlds away i
I ask hopefully and confidently for "the little more."
MR. W. E. L. SHENTON'S SPEECH.
Charity can never be reduced to an exact science, but, every year sees commonsense and experience applied in increasing quantities to the solution of its problems. Those who have the impulse to give, whe- Temporary relief has been, dis-ther it be hali-a-crown or a thou Fensed at the City Hall in sums sand pounds, know that they can in proposing the adoption of the
The Hon. Mr. W. E. L. Shenton,
CASE.
REGISTRAR'S CERTIFICATE * QUESTIONED.
APPEAL IN FULL „COURT,
attracted by the prospects of pos- PO HING THEATRE sible work, some because they are unable to get work elsewhere. There is also another class, who cease to become employable. The able bodied are found employment by the General Charities Organiss. tion, the Hong Kong Benevolent Association and other charities but it is of the last class I now speak. It is impossible to and work for them. They wander between the Sailors Home and the Hong Kong through no fault of their own be Bonevolent Association and often
come a charge on the Colony, They are of various nationalities and, as far as possible, they should be repatriated, but there is sti a residue for whom a refuge should be provided. We have no old age pensions or insurance. They are nevertheless an obligation of the Colony."
I again reiterate what I previous. ly stated because I still believe it to be a matter which should receive this Colony's attention.
|
Reference to an adjudication by the Registrar of the Supreme Court as to the amount due under, a judg ment, was made at the Full Court of Appeal yesterday,' the Judges sitting being Sir Henry Gollac, Sir Peter Grain (Chief Justice, H.B.M. Supreme Court, Shanghai), and Mr. Justice Wood
The defendant-appellant, Mä Tau Nain, was represented by dir. F. C. Jenkin, and Mr. H. G. Sheldon" appeared for the plaintif respon- dent, Chai Wai, landlord of the Po Hing Theatre..
Incidass of Govamment Grant. The Honorary Secretary's Report is a most interesting and arresting The history of the case was that description of a years charitable the plaintiff leased the theatre to endeavour, and no one can read it defendant for three Chinese years without being impressed with the at $1,000 per month commencing very real work our Committee has from February 5, 1999. There was freely and voluntarily accomplished. a "proviso "in "the lease giving the Perhaps the highest appreciation of plaintiff the right of re-entry, and our corts is the fact that the on June 8, 1929, the landlord gave Government has seen at to increase notice to the tenant to terminate the our annual grand-in-aid from $1,000lease. Defendant did not comply to $2,300. a token of appreciation with the request and a writ was
of the services the Society has and is "rendering to this Colony, Very pleasing reading is the description of the co-operation which, exists between our Society and the other philanthropic
issued an June 12.
Judgment was entered "against the defendant, and it was left, to the Registrar to assess the amount of mesne profits and damages suffered institutions here.by the plaintiff. - Misplaced and irresponsible charity can rarely do good, whilst organised charity, carefully investigated and impartially distributed, will bring light into many a desolate home and hope to those, to whom, an intolerable. existance has become well-night
Organised" Charity.
To be charitable is natural but there are many who owing to the life of to-day, is carried on, have no pressure under which the business time think or act charitably, and
ranging from 31 to 35, while month-bave it laid out to the best advan-year was ous Fourtieth Anastas often as not when so inclined,
tage. The average. person has no ly allowances were given when con- time to go into the rights or wrongs sidered necessary.
This accounts of applicants for help. He is torn for 83,041.46, an increase of $609.31 between a desire to give something in case the piteous tale is genuine, over last year's expenditure.
Passages to England, Australia, or to withhold it because he has Canada, India, America, Holland been taken in" before by many and Manila have been secured in a plausible and lusty beggar. "some instances with the co-operation
of other Societics). A sum of $3,143.31 has been expended in this way, as against 8476.47 last year.
2
The Strange, the Pitiful, the
Sordid, and the Genuine."
I think that, if the general public During the past year, at a coat could see our fortnightly delibera- of 83, 700.00 beins Sol110 more than tions round the table at the Helena last year, 18 children have been May Institute--our harassed mien supported at different schools. The and wrinkled brows-they would not Society is greatly indebted to the grudge that magic annual $12 or of 830 which, given Directors of the following schools, lump sum who have made this possible by abundantly, can make our desert of accepting reduced fees:-Diocesan difficult and distressing cases blos- Boys' School, Dioces Girls' som like the rose with help and School, Italian Convent,
hope. St.
All cases are confidential, and it Joseph's College.
A considerable sum of monty is is amazing to see the strange, the spent on Christmas-boxes for the pitiful, the sordid, the genuine, and the fraudulent cases that come up Society's most deserving casca,
Furnished for assistance. Many are the dis- The Society has room in Kowloon to which married appointments but many too are the couples or women and children can satisfactory results of investigation be sent in urgent caars. Meals can and relief. The Society is educating be supplied when necessary.
eighteen children who will be en- Among the various nationalities abled by this means to support assisted by the Society are British themselves and even assist their (including Colonials), American, relatives later on. It has given Moxienn, French, Russian, Spanish, passages, or part passages, in many Datch, Indian, Cingalese, Greek, sad and difficult cases, and it holds Eurasian, Malay, Mauritian, Fil- letters of deep gratitude from those pino, etc.
forlom and shipwrecked brothers" The Committee' would like to and sisters too-who have been warn residents af the Colony able to make a fresh start in this against giving money to seemingly way. It has secared medical treat distressed cases without first making ment and holidays for some; it has enquiries of the Hon. Secretary or assisted those in difficulty with rent; a member of the Committee, as this it has supplied milk to babies when frequently leads to Iraud and over- this is necessary. The Committee lapping.
spares neither time nor trouble to During the past year the following see that the money entrusted by the ladies have served on the Com- public is well and truly spent. This mittee:-
is said in no spirit of self-advertise ment-the work is deeply interesting and is undertaken voluntarily be Mrs. W.,T. Southorn (President), endise those engaged in it feel it Mrs. J. A. Hunt (Vice-President, is worth doing. But it is very dis- Acting President), Mrs. Shellshear couraging and very difficult to have (Hon. Treasurer), Mrs. H. E. Gold- to mako bricks without straw. It smith (Hon. Treasurer), Mrs. J. is very sad to have to refuse deserv McCormack (Hon. Secretary), Mes.ing cases, Sheldon (Assistant Hon. Secretary),
Not Enough Money. Mrs. J. F. Sherry (Acting Hon.
The hard facts remain that we Secretary), Mrs. Alabaster, H.D.E. Mrs. G. D. R. Black, Mra, W. J. cannot deal adequately with all the Carrie (Acting Vice-President), Mrs. cases that come our way, and our Comrie, Mrs. Costello, Mrs. Court-financial position this year is caus ney, Mrs. E. Davidson, Mrs. J.ing us some alarm. Claims on cur Durrna, Mrs. H. K. Holmes, Mrs. resources are going up, while our funds are not increasing. We ad
Committee for 1929.
Mrs. Schultz.
occasion 80
04
The grounds for the appeal were that the Registrar had certißed and directed judgment to be entered upon questions beyond the limits of the Court's order.
After outlining these facts, Mr. Jenkin said that when taking the lease defendant had to deposit $7,500. The plaintif alleged that defendant had only paid 85,000 in cash and the balance of 82,500 was represented by a promissory note.
the Registrar had awarded to plain-
Outside the Court's 'Judgment. Mr. Jenkin remarked that the ense was unusual, because although judgment had been entered, against year our Anniver- are in fact directing their efforts his client for $1,355.27. he would sary, a period during which the
into wrong channels. The art of have to submit that judgment resources of the Society have been administration is the faculty to get ahould have been entered for a high- strained to the utmost. We have others to do correctly what one has listened with the greatest attention neither the time nor the occasion
er sum. Counsel pointed out that to the interesting address of our to do one's self. Here we have an
tiff sums which would never be President and the illuminating re-
institution, fully organised and recoverable as part of our Honorary Secretary, equipped to act charitably for those damages and were not referred to mesne profits or We close the year with a feeling of who have neither the time nor the in any shape or form in the state. satisfaction that all has been done which could have been accomplish those so disposed can, however, dealt with a lease which was entire
do themselves ment of claim. The Registrar also ed considering the means
at our safely entrust to us the moneysly different, and adjudicated on Sciety's disposal and we are in they desire distributed to worthy items owing by plaintiff to ucfen- deed grateful to those officers who objects and rest tasured that the dant over which he had v have so conscientiously carried out
same will be faithfully and fairly the duties assigned to them. We
thority. know fall well however, that much tions will be directed into those applied, and that their contribu- more might have been done, had channels where it is most needed we had the wherewithall,
and really appreciated. It is of Great Increase In Calls On Funds.
course almost superfluous to quote the old saying charity begins at I have before me the Society's home any way here we have a account for the year 1999 and charity not only functioning within notice in that year we distributed our gates but whose operations are in relief cuses" $2,203.15, in within our own city walls.
education of children 82,998,80, $470.47, and "passages, etc.," whilst last year, the year under review, the Bgures were respective- ly $3,0-11.40, $3,700.90 and 83,143.31,
in respect of
so that last year
these three items alone we distri buted $4,318.95 more than in 1928. This gives some idea of the great increase in the calls on our funds, and the usefulness of our under taking. Exchange, the Colony's greatest problem to-day, is one which is going to effect us to a very large degree, passages and relief on arrival in a foreign country, will cost us many more dollars than
hitherte. These two items are think one of the main objects, of our organisation, No one knows better than our Committee how difficult it is to obtain employment here for many of those who apply to us for relief and the only course open, is to repatriate them to their homelands where conditions are less difficult and where they are more likely to be able to earn a living.
Tribute to Capt. F. Baylis, When talking of charitable thoughts and actions I desire to mention the name of one who will be leaving us shortly-Capt. F. Baylis for many years Superinten- dent of the Sailors Beue-many are there, who have applied to him for assistance and many are there, who, when his name is a name only in this Colony, will reme On behalf of our Society I wish to ber him and be grateful to him. thank him for his assistance of so many occasions and we wish him everything good for the future. (Applause.)
ди
Mr. Jerkin said that the Registrar, Dealing with the promissory note, had no power to adjudicate on the point. Counsel continued that the defendant's name did not appear on the document, and in spite of pro- tests the Registrar decided the point.
After dealing with the items, counsel said that defendant was pre- pared to pay plaintiff what he was entitled to, but defendant wanted proper settlement between them.
Mr. Sheldon's Reply." Mr. Sheldon in his address stated
that the question the Court had to decide was whether there was any evidence before the Registrar by which the sums awarded could come under the head of mesne damages.
The lessee, he said had broken his covenant, and agreed to a judgment ns to costs for recovery of posses- sion, and mesne profits. What damages, therefore, could the lessor claim? The lessee had admitted trespass, but refused to pay certain special damages set out in the claim.
Sir Pater Grain pointed out at this stage that what the Registrar had evidently done was to find out
what was due between the parties. whereas all he was asked to do was to find out what was due according to the judgment.
The Court reserved judgment.
LOCAL WILLS PROVED,
حمد بحر
ESTATE OF THE LATE MR. H. W. PARRY.
Another paragraph in the report caught my eye and I expect many others will also notice it-that is the one referring to the furnished room in Kowloon surely this is a beginning in the right direction and must develop into something far more pretentious, than "& furnish- ed room in Kowloon to which mar- ried couples or women and children The Case For Repatriation, can be sent in urgent cases." Here is a scheme with vast possibilities When according the Report and and I think many of us hope to Accounts last year I stated:"A hear much more about it in next very difficult question arises ia
year's report respect of a number of Europeans
In conclusion, I desire to appeal of various nationalities who apply to all, who take an interest in their for assistance from this. and kit-
fellow men, much ia being done but red Societies, at the moment there how very much more lies before us, are about thirty-five unemployed of and could be done, if only we had whom twenty I gather are unem- the funds at our disposal. C. F. Johnstone, Mre. Lander Lewis, ministered roughly $8,000 in 1928-
ployable, four living on the Govern
Lastly I desire to thank Mr. ment in the House of Detention. Pattenden and the Committee of we administered $11,000 last year.
The remainder it is impossible for "Cheer O" YM.C.A. for the kind various reasons to find employment permission to use this room for our MRS. SOUTHORN ASKS FOR We began the year 1929 with over
$2,000 to, our credit. We have for. In England there are relief meeting. “THE LITTLE MORE.” spent our entire income from all works, workhouses, almshouses and
I have great pleasure in propos- and have Bources
other charitable institutions who ing the adoption of the Report and drawn upon The President, Mrs. Southorn, ad- capital in the form of fixed deposit would cater for these casca--in the Accounts. dressed the meeting as follows:- to the extent of $1,782.22. In this Hong Kong no such institutions The report and accounts were It is said that "good wine needs year's balance sheet this sum ap- exist. Surely there is some oblige unanimously adopted on the pro- no bush, but in the case of the pears as an asset, but it will ap-tion on the Government either to posal of the Hon. Mr. W. E. L. Benevolent Society it is necessary pear on the other side of the repatriate or arrange, for repatria Shenton, seconded by Mrs. Black, occasionally to set its claims for lantern, next year. Owing to the tion of such cases, or make other
"THANKS OF THE SOCIETY. support before the Hong Kong fall of the dollar, the cost of suitable arrangements so that they public. One cannot help feeling passenges has increased, and owing the whole I think the answer is do not come on the Society. On that, if people realised fully the ad to the high cost of living, allow
A vote of thanks was registered vantages afforded by the Society's ances have had to be raised in pro- remembered that there are always kindly assisted the Society by audit Fook Tong, alias Ming Shing Tong..
repatriation but it must always be to Mr. Hampton Ross who had so investigation of cases and adminia- portion," .... tration of relief, the Society would
bound to be some to whom repatriaing the accounts on three different ginseng and deer horn merchant,. Constructive Help-Not Doles. benst many more annual subscribers
tion is inapplicable."
Toccasions. Mrs. Southern, after a who died at 83, Bonham Strand than it does at present. Twelve As I said before, I think we can
"An Obligation of the Colony." few words of appreciation of her West, on June 24, 1229, left estate- dollars a year-one dollar a month feel that, without boasting, we
splendid work, wished Mrs. J. H. of 810,700 in the Colony. -is not an excessive sum to ask have given a good account of our When speaking in the Legislative Hunt (vice-president) a very happy for dealing with any case that the Stewardship, Mr. McCormack has Council last September on the Honie leave, and announced that subscriber may care to send, reports given you some details of the year's Budget Estimates for this year I the Rev. H. V. Brougham, Father ing on its merits and assisting the work. We endeavour to make our stated:-" Hong Kong is a great Rigante and the Rev. 3. Horace applicant when the Committee has dispensations constructive a means international port and as such there Johnson had all kindly offered to decided that it is deserving and of re-establishing men and women-is a constant stream of individuals help the Society especially with within their scope.
of educating children to be econo- looking for employment. Some are difficult cases. (Applause.)
EJ
Local estate. worth $2,100 was left by Mr. H. W. Parry, who died at Kowloon Hospital on September 11, 1928. He was master of the 1.0. Kong So, belonging to the Tung Tick Steamship Company, and was formerly of Cardiff.
In a will dated April 30, 1929, testator left everything to his mother, Mrs. Emma Sarah Parry, and his sister, Miss Gwendolen Marion Parry, both of 31, Water- loo Gardens, Cardiff.
Mr. R. C. Pass, of 20, Kent Rond, Kowloon, has been granted letters of administration with will an- nexed,
Chinese Estate. Mak Sai Chi, alias Mak Hung
The widow, Mak Lai Shi, who lives at 43, Fung Yuen Chung Yeuk, Western Suburb, Canton, having renounced her title to administra tion, the testator's son, Max Ting. Chung, has been granted letters of administration.
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