CO129-414 - Governor Sir May - 1914 [10-11] — Page 521

L.

C

N. & Co., 381^►

1668

518

IREC

Peak 2 JAN 15,

1

WEST RIVER FLOOD RELIEF FUND.

The Sub-Committee present berewith their report on the work done in connection with the West River Floods 1914, with their recommendation for the action now to be taken.

A meeting of the General Committee will be held in the Council Chamber on Friday. the 27th November, 1914, at 12.30 pm., to consider the reports and accounts presented and the suggestions put forward.

Papers attached:—

1.--Report of the Sub-Committee. 2.-Report by Mr. A. E. Wood.

3. Tung Wa Hospital Accounts.

4. Balance Sheet.

E. R. HALLIFAX,

Honorary Secretary,

West River Flood Relief Fund 1914.

HONGKONG, 19th November, 1914.

Report of the Sub-Committee to the General Committee.

The collection of funds for the relief was organised in two parts-Chinese and Non- Chinese. The work connected with the Chinese was, in accordance with old custom, undertaken by the Tung Wa Hospital, who canvassed their countrymen abroad as well as those in the Colony. The total sum collected from these sources amounted to $152,637.56, to which total it is still possible there may have to be added a few belated subscriptions.

In addition to the work of the Tung Wa Hospital the Chinese members of the Com- mittee under the Chairmanship of Mr. Lau Chi Pak organised a highly successful Bazaar and Theatre: it involved a vast deal of work in a short time but resulted in the addition to the Funds of the extraordinary total of $90,000 which sum has been paid to the Flood Relief Committee under the conditions

(1) That it is used only for relief in connection with Floods in Kwong Tung or

Kwong Sai.

(2) That the Chairman of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce (as representing the Bazaar Committee) should be a member of the Flood Relief Committee. Condition (2) is at present satisfied as the Hon. Mr. Lau Chii Pak is Chairman of the Chinese Chainber of Commerce.

The European subscriptions were in the capable hands of Sir Paul Chater, and though no separate subscription lists were published he has been able to credit the Fund with $50,519.40. In addition Messrs. Noronha & Co. have supplied all the Stationery and Printing work free of charge.

Adding the Hongkong Government subscription of $50,000, there was therefore a total of $343,136.96 at the disposal of the Committee. Messrs. Tong Yat Chun and Chan Yut Ting, members of the Tung Wa Hospital, volunteered their services and with Mr. A. E. Wood, who was specially seconded for the duty, investigated conditions on the spot, and Mr. Wood's periodical reports were arranged for such immediate relief as was necessary. published in the Press. The Tung Wa Hospital were meanwhile in communication with the sufferers; and despatched cargoes of rice and biscuit wherever necessary, in addition to satisfying the requirements of Mr. Wood and the Tung Wa Hospital representatives. Rice and biscuits to the total value of $34,839.60 were sent up and carefully distributed: and it is satisfactory to know that the measures taken ensured that all reached the people for whom it was intended. The balance still remaining to the credit of the Fund with the Tung Wa Hospital, as well be seen from the accounts, amounted to $108,758.13, which sum has been paid over to the Hon. Treasurer for the credit of the General Fund.

It was at first proposed that this money should be used to assist in the construction as rapidly

as might be of Chau Lan-temporary embankments to allow of the Autumn crop being planted. On further discussion between our representatives from Hongkong and those of other Charitable Societies in Canton and the leading men of the Districts affected, it was thought better to utilise the other funds available for urgent relief and the temporary work— which they were guaranteed to cover if the Hongkong Funds could be utilised later on-and

!