1938-03-04 — Page 9

THE CHINA MAIL, MARCH 4, 1938.

Page

Benevolent Society's Work

Sir Atholl Macgregor's Appeal For New Members

STRIKING OUTLINE OF ORGANISATION'S

ACTIVITIES

VALUABLE WATCHES HALF A MILLION

LOST

Street yesterday afternoon.

MILES FLYING

IN HONG KONG

Mrs. N. Castro, the Kowloon Tong Badminton player, has re- Formation of a special committee to undertake ported the loss of a diamond wrist the organisation of a special drive for subscribingwatch, valued at $200 in Wyndham members of the H.K. Benevolent Society, was de- cided on at the annual meeting of the Society held in the Board Room of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson Central Magistracy, had a watch School since they commenced flying and Co. at noon to-day.

KOWLOON CENTRE

two

I

we

A. L. Cole, chief clerk at the

valued at $100 stolen from him near the Hong Kong Hotel during the tiffin hour yesterday.

Over half a million miles have been flown in the Colony by pupils of the Far East Flying Training

training at Kai Tak four years ago. A total of 316 students made up of 159 flying pupils and 157. en- gineering pupils, of over twenty dif- ferent nationalities, have passed

HANDBAG SNATCHED through the school.

While walking in Ashley Road yesterday afternoon, Mrs. J. Bird, residing at the Taikoo Dock Quar- ters, had a hand bag which con- tained money and articles to the

Aircraft. flights exceeding half a million miles have been engaged en- tirely upon school work and entire- ly within the confines of the Colony. No serious accident has occurred to any student of the school.

banded last summer, owing to causes craft. This committee was unfortunately dis-- have to be used in open cockpit air-

which we could not control and it has not yet been reconstituted. The need dealing with applications for help for such a committee, especially for from men, is manifest and we shall be very glad to hear of volunteers for

this work,

SOCIETY'S THANKS

SEAMAN'S PASSION FOR STOWING AWAY

Our grateful thanks are due to ra to those to whom I have already ex- great number of persons in addition

ing the past year have generously help- tended our gratitude. To all who dur- ed us to carry on our work we are

Max Schwartz, aged 46, an Amer- would like to thank Miss Violet Capell fined $25 or two weeks' imprison- sincerely thankful. Particularly Iican seaman, was this morning who again organized a dancing dis-ment by Mr. R. Edwards play which contributed $240 to have published our advertisements, guilty funds; the Press of the Colony who Central Magistracy when found our appeal and all the matter sub Manila to Hong Kong by the Presi- of stowing away from mitted to them free of all charge to dent Coolidge. the Society; and the Colony Police Force who have never failed us.

.... our.

at the

Sir Atholl MacGregor, presiding, helpful and constructive work. It is said: It is only once a year, on the oc-responsible for the education of 57 casion of the Annual Meeting, that children at ten schools, and the cost the Benevolent Society gets the ad-of education includes in some cases vertisement that is its due, and I feel meals for the children. To the Direc- therefore that, as Chairman to-day, Itors of these ten schools, we owe our am justified in saying a little about very heartfelt gratitude for their gen- the work of the Society and its fin-erosity in taking these children at re- ancial position before formally moving | duced fees. the adoption of the report and the ac- counts for the past year.

The Society maintains in Kowloon & The Society has carried on its char-room which is available. as a lodging itable work since 1889, giving help for destitute women and children. Dur-

The school's fleet has been increas→ where grievously needed, and in times ing 1937 it has been practically con-value of $23, snatched. like the present, in a Colony where tinually occupied and at times.

ed from the original three aircraft there is no system of poor relief, it families have had to be accommodated

to five in order to cope with

the is no exaggeration to say that the so-in it as best they, and we, could ar- ciety renders services which are

increasing number of pupils. of range. It is a most valuable aucillary | Mr. T. A, Mitchell who did so much year by the very untimely death. of incalculable value to the community. service, in a colony where there are no for the General Charities Organisa- the latest type of training aircraft The two additional machines are Its usefulness is recognised by Gov-alms houses or work houses, for ernment which gives the society an an- only alternative would be the semi- his most valuable advice, particularly

the tion and never denied us his time or from England. nual grant. In 1937 the grant was in penal house of detention, **

Known as De Havilland Hornet creased to $4,000 and for this tangible

in the direction of finding work for the I only wish we could find some and very welcome mark of apprecia- wealthy and

unemployed. His death is one which Moths they seat the instructor and tion we are most grateful to His Ex-owner who could place a house at our singlehanded, undertook and efficiently thus there is no need for the hel-

philanthropic property

we very deeply deplore. For long he, pupil side by side in a cabin and cellency the Governor and his advis- disposal for this great work. If any carried out the work which later was mets, goggles and earphones that ers. The Society's investments stand such hears this appeal we shall be undertaken by our male committee. on the books at a value of nearly $82,- only too glad to let him see what we 000 and dividends and interest during are doing with our limited means and the year

under review amounted to to show him how much remains to be $1,327 in round figures. We have done. therefore an assured annual income of And now ladies and gentlemen $5,327.00. or about one third of our want to say a few words about another minimum annual requirements. For aspect of this Society's work, the pro- everything beyond that we have to vision of clothes for those who, though look to the generosity of the public, not without money, cannot afford to and I am confident that this year we provide the clothing that this variable shall not look in vain, When the na-climate require, We have been for ture of the work which we are doing tunate in the past year, not only in is carefully considered, however, it is the number of garments so generous obvious that the ideal at which wely given to us but also in the number must aim is regular annual sum which of donations for the purchase of win- will enable our work to go on.

ter woollies. I would like especially DECEMBER APPEAL

to thank an anonymous donor who so Membership of the society costs only kindly gave us money for the pur- twelve dollars a year, and a hundred chase of shoes for children., We can dollars will purchase life membership, never have too many children's clothes, In 1937 the society had only 78 mem- especially boys' clothes. What bers whose subscriptions amounted to chiefly require after that is small men's $936.00, and in consequence we found clothes and outsize women's clothes, ourselves in December with empty poc- and anyone who pleads guilty to either kets, unable to pay rents and school of these categories will be doing us a fees' to which we were committed, or great service by sending to us any of to give assistance where it was so their discarded garments. But do not

expulsion order was also badly needed. I am proud to say that let this special plea deter those men

I have very little to add in conclu- made against him. a special appeal for funds met with a who, like myself, are well

sion. The cause that I plead is covered,

a Detective Sergeant Russell said most generous response, and, without from sending their unwanted suits to righteous cause and needs no special defendant was in the Colony last having to curtail any of our services, us. The Society can and will convert pleading. I make my appeal on be deter we find ourselves at the end of 1937 such suits into clothing suitable for of whom are our own kith and kin, Moji to Manila and was brought to half of those whom we serve, many year when he... stowed away from with a credit balance of $4,467.00.. smaller men and especially for chil-

To all those who so willingly an-dren,

I personally know of a case members of our own race and colour Hong Kong. The shipping swered the call of the society I would where one sleeve of a large jacket who through death, sickness or other pany arranged for him to return like to tender our very sincere thanks. made two pairs of pants for refugee on evil days and need help. And what to Manila, whence he stowed away

cause beyond their control have fallen It is, however, to the regular mem-children at Laichikok. ber and to his annual subscription that LOW COST OF ADMINISTRATION! ask is so little. If everyone here to Hong Kong again. we feel that we have a right to look On the accounts I have very little to-day would undertake to find six The Company had asked that the for most of our requirements. The more to say, but there are two small subscription of $1. per month cannot items that I hope I may be allowed to would be overcome, and we could o case be taken to court as they had be described as excessive, and how say a word or two on. You will see on from strength to strength without already assisted him before. much the Society gives for that small on the expenditure side an item "Pur anxiety and without halt. sum especially to business · men. and chase of $1,000 Hong Kong Govern- business firms. Surely in so populous ment 32% Loan." Please do not run a Colony as this, five hundred annual away with the idea that our coffers subscribes are no too much to hope are so overflowing that we can afford for. No one of them would feel the to make new investments and convert

Domingo Meneza, Luis Caeteano loss of $12.00 a year, but the resul revenue into capital. What happened DRIVE FOR MEMBERS tant $6,000 would insure that our work was that at the end of the previous Mr. A. W. Hughes, saying he felt

Alvares and Pedro Andrade, na- could go on uninterruptedly and with-financial year our $1,000 holding of something definite should be done tives of Goa, were this morning out further appeals to your generosity. two Hong Kong club debentures was about the proposed drive for mem charged before Mr. R. Edwards at

SOCIETY'S WORK

redeemed and the amount so paid to bers, suggested that a small commit the Central What work does the Society do for us was immediately reinvested in the tee of men be formed to go into the

Magistracy with the poor and needy? The relief of same security în Government Loan. matter. Sir Atholl endorsed the sug vagrancy and committed to the the poor whether it be casual or more The other matter is the extraordin- gestion and signified that he would House of Detention. permanent unfortunately must go on,arily low administrative cost.

consider it a great privilege, and hon- Sergeant Russell said defendants and-in times like these, with so much We receive, account for and adminis-four to be allowed to serve under 20 were unemployment in the Colony, the cost ter some $823,000 a year. The method able a leader as Mr. Hughes.

deportees from America. of necessary relief has greatly increas- of administration, involving as it does Mrs. G. R. Sayer, president, thank-There would be no boat for Bom- ed. Meals for whole families are pro- personal contact and knowledge, calls ed Sir Atholl for taking the chair bay for a few days, and they had vided in many

cases rent has to be for a very close and continuous system, and paid a glowing tribute to the no place to stay. paid and compradore's bills for neces-of supervision, and yet our adminis-committee, especially to the Hon. Se- saries guaranteed and paid and many tration costs are only $350 a year or cretary, Mrs. H. F. Sommers. children require milk which their par roughly 1 per cent. of our income. The following attended-Mrs. G. R. ents have not the means to buy for Any Society which can show so low a Sayer, (President), Mrs. A. S. Mac- them. Help of that description has cost as this has nothing to fear from Kichan (Vice President), Mrs. V. C. in 1987 involved us in an expenditure public scrutiny. We as a Society wel- Branson (Hon. Treasurer), Mrs. H. F. of $10,850.00 and there is no imme- come it and invite it, for we are con- Sommers (Hon. Secretary), Mrs. C. diate likelihood that that figure will fident that those who can be induced N. Jeffries, Mrs. D. L. Ballantyne, not be greater in 1938, for it has personally to examine our work will Mrs. R. E. Lindsell, Mrs. A. H. Comp. Telephone Co. · - was this morning steadily increased over the past four be immediate converts to our cause, ton, Mrs. A. H. Forbes, D. M. Rich- cautioned by Mr. R. A. D. Forrest years. Our other large item of ex- and even those who come to scoff rewards, Rev. K. Mackenzie Dow, Sir H. at the Central Magistracy when I penditure is on education the cost of main to praise,

E. Pollock Mr. P S Cassidy, Mrz which in 1937 was $5,500. Here the Before I conclude I want to refer Miskin, MA W Hughes, Mr. F. Cpleaded guilty to speeding Society feels that it is doing really to the loss which we sustained-

M Grenham. controlled area.

new members our financial difficulties

Mrs. Sayer, Ladies and Gentlemen, beg to move that the report

and accounts for the year 1937 be adopted. The report and accounts were se- conded by Mr. P S. Cassidy.

last Hall and MrGËT

An

com--

GOA DEPORTEES

SPEEDING CHARGE

L. D. Skinner, of the Hong Kong