1928-02-03 — Page 3

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THE HONG KONG BENEVOLENT

· SOCIETY.

A YEAR'S ADMIRABLE ACTIVITIES - REVEALED.

MORE MEMBERS AND FINANCIAL HELP NEEDED.

FAR EAST A PLACE WHERE HELP IS OFTEN NEEDED.

The thirty-eighth annual meeting of the Hong Kong Benevolent Society was held at the City Ipil yesterday.

Mr. R. Sutherland, who presided. gave sa interesting review of the many activities of the Society, and commented on the admirable work which is carried out most generously and freely by the band of ladies intimately concerned with the Society's work. He referred to their public spirited and enérgelic action in carry- ing upon their shoulders the burden of the European commucity in caring for, those upon whom fortune has not smiled, and why through sickness and misadventure, have had to seek the help of the Society. He also appealed for increased membership and support of the Society, and commented that with a subscription of only. 812, per annum, a matter of 81 a month-n mere fraction of what one may win or lose at bridge, there should he a much larger membership than the Society now had. With the large number of residents here, there was only a membership of about

This was quite wrong?

A must interesting report gave in detail the scope of the Society's work, and the many deserving cases in which it has rendered assistance.

Sir Henry Pollock, K.C., also appealed for increased support of the Society.

Mr. R. Sutherland presided at the meeting. being supported by Mrs. Nisbet (the President), Mrs. C. G.. Alabaster (Fox." Secretary) and Mrs. J L Shellshear (Hon.

introduced Mr.

Treasurer).

Mira, Nishet Sutherland, who, before addressing the meeting, read the annual report which is given at the end of this report.

10

Now the general status of the Hong Kong Benevolent Society does tot lend itself to such methods, its nachinery is differently designed, it runs silently and slowly, but what is all important, it never stops.

Help For Fellow Men Needed In The Exst

די

are

I hope, it these remarks catch the eye of our residents, they wil appreciate what you ladies doing on their behalf-1 say their Addressing the meeting. Mr. behalf, as it is eurely the paramount Sutherland said: Turning to the duty of all to look after their fel accounts before you, it will be seen low men when in distress, especially that the sum of 2016.95 was ear.in the Far..East where there are ried forward from ast year, that so many temptations and pit-falla. disbursed in not only for the unwary, but even about 26,800 was charitable Lesistance, and "alter those of cautious nature, having placed the moderate sum of! $500 on fixed deposit, a balance of only $170.50 remains to be carried forward to 10.

Finances Call For Serious Consideration.

Britisher

1:

This fine work is most faithfully undertaken by you ladies incen- spicuously in a quiet, azethodica! and determined manner.

Two Let days every week in the somewhat goomy confines of the Uity Hall will be found officials receiving and distributing clothing, investigating cases of dietress and generally conducting the routine work of the Society, and notwith standing the many climatic discom forts, this good work continues un remittingly and all honour to you for it.

White the Society is deeply grate. In to those who have made dona- tions, especially to "Anonymous for that of $1,000, the anances of the Socisty cannot but call for serious consideration it all the calls on it are to be adequately met. The report sets forth in de tail a few of the typical cases dealt with and it must be obvious to all; that in the present difficult times

Price Of Golf Ball, in hina, when residents of out-

Now the man point is, họw, can lying ports and Flacce must seek the Colony help the Society? The safety and relief in the Crown

answer is by oecoming members. Colony, that requests for assistir wid surprise many to know that ance from the Hong Kong Bene notwithstanding the large number lent Society cannot but increase,

Monthly Subscription Less Than

THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3rd, 1928.

earnestly ask employers, when ap- "pealed to, to do their utmost and stretch the point to make an open- ing even if only for a short time and by so doing, live up to the very human motto, "Give him Lacother chance. M

ROMAN CATHOLICS AND MARRIAGE.

The Hon. Secretary and one or more of the Committee attend the City Hall on Mondays and Thurs

1 o'clock to interview UNIONS WITH PROTESTANTS days at applicants and to receive gifts of

DEPLORED. dething, otc. the great asset these gifts aro the wark of the Society ethnot be sufficiently emphasizodi

The Society has a furnished room in Kowloon to which married couples, or women and children can be sent in urgent cases; mears eat be supplied when necessary.

Among the various nationalities

CAUSES TREMENDOUS.

LEAKAGE."

The marriage of Roman Catho-- lies to members of other. Churches.

was deplored by Cannon Mitchell

·Tributs. To Officers. Before moving the adoption of -the--report-and-accounts-1-desire- on behalf of members to place "on record the excellent work perform. ed by the President, Mrs. Nisbet," the Committee, and other execu-assisted have been British (includ in a sermon which he preached in ing Australian and South African), the Leeds Cathedral (Roman tive olicials of the Society.

American Dutch, Eurasian, Rus sian, Filipino, Spanish, Greek, Latvian, Indian, Norwegian and Swedish.

The report gives in detail the personnel of the Committee and the position held by its various mem- bers throughout the year. It will be noted that Mrm. Alabaster has Biled the post, of President, and for some time past has been carry ing out the arduous duties of Hon. Secretary, those of us who have bad experience in committes work know only too well what that means. As such you are the chief executive, you are expected to know every thing do everything, and to keep bright and smiling. Theee quali fications she has more than fully complied with and I feel that we are all deeply indebted to Mrs. Alabaster for her most valuable work during a year of exceptional difficulties. (Appliase.)

"Catholie).

Canon Mitchell said that there was a terrible eakage from the Church every year, and that its Thanks To Helpers.

prinsipal cause was mixed mar. The thanks of the Committed | ringe. In Leeds, within his own are accorded to the Rev. W. J. knowledge and experience, he had Featherstone, Mr. R Sutherland, seen any amount of the offspring of mixed mariages giving up the 31.B.E.. Mrs. Husecl Brown, the

It was quite a common lou. r. W. EL Shenton, the Faith. Consul-General for the Netherlands, thing for people to come and say the priest. My grandfather Dr. de Castro Basto and Capt. to Baylis, Hon. Sec. G.C.D. Also in was a Cathokie: but we are all very special measure to the Trus- Erotestants." He once had a call tees of the City Hall for the use in his own district to a sick woman over long period of years of a whom he had always regarded as room in that "building.

a genuine non-Catholic. When he reached the house the husband ask- ed him what he wanted, and sug- gested there had been scare mis- take. It turned cut that, although the woman had been married 30 years, she bad never told her hus band she was a Catholic He (Canon Mitchell) beard the wo man's confession, and she died the following day. The husband said. tn him, It is very strange to me. I have always thought my wife was a Protestant; we have brought up our family as such; and it has been quite a surprise to me." This, said Canon Mitchell, was the sort of thing that was going on Ctery.

The Committee appreciates the ready co-operation of the following Societies in relieving cases of dis tress from time to time: General Charities. Organisation, St. drew's Society, British Legion, St. George's Society, St. Vincent de Paul, Y.M.C.A., and Missions to Seaten.

Au-

We must not forget, however, that Mrs. J. H. Hant, who has arted as lon. Secretary for over two years, during which time ahe performed yeoman service; resigned during the spring of last year and The Society is grateful to the to her is also due our hearty thanks Colonial Government for its annual for her excellent work.

grant-in-aid and for the grant of Mrs. Goldsmith, our late Treat passage to Shanghai, Also to the us temporarily. left the Government Civil, the Matilda, and surer, Colony and during her term of effies the Italian Hospitals and to many the pot epare herself in furthering other individuals and bodies for the interests of the Society and should like to put on record our keen appreciation of her untiring assistance.

Our thanks are also due to Mr. Hampden Ross for kindly auditing

the accounts.

The Chairman also added the thanks and appreciation of the Committee for the services of the Press on behalf of the Society.

With these remarks, ladies and gentlemen, I have now to propose that the report and accounts as presented be adopted.

their kind assistance.

'D

where.

"A Great Evil,"

&

Such mixed marriages were great evil, and yet "there were Catholics who said they did not know it. He bad had to tell them

The gifts of clothing, toys, blan- kets, etc., "sent to the City Hall And the loun of cars to and from much hospitals, and schools are

The gilt, by appreciated. anonymous donor, of a typewriter that there was a difficulty about enabled a young girl to practice Dispensation, and that mixed mar ping at home thereby assisting ringes were strictly forbidden by her to obtain a secretarial post.

The Committee would like to WILLIA residents of the Colony against giving money to seemingly distress cases without first mak- ing enquiries of the Hon. Secretary or a member of the Committee, as this Trequently leads to fraud and

Mrs. Featherstone seconded the proposal, which was passed un-overlapping" animously.

Mrs. Nisbet proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Sutherland for pre- siding, which Wes earried with

applause.

Sir Henry Pollock.

The work of the Society has benefited considerably. and will Lenefit more in the future, by the help of the merly forthed Ganeral Charities Organization, of which the Hon. Mr, E. D. C. Wolle,

Hon. Treasurer and Capt. Baylis Hon. Secretary, and towards the maintenance of which, the H.K.S.B. subscribes 8100 a year.

the Catholic Church. He invited his hearers to recognise the harm done to the Church, and to realise how the work

their schools and of the confraternity was being thwarted, frustrated, and undone by the evil of mixed marriages. The Archbishop of Liverpool said that out of $1,000 Catholic familira in his diocese there were 13.000 instances of mixed marriages, or

per cent.

More Supervision Of The Young Needed,

"You cannot have half-baked Catholics. said Canon Mitchell,

Sir Henry Pollock, K.C., said he C.M.G., is Chairman, Mr Gubbayor nominal Catholics. They have

was present in the Colony in 16 the Society was founded. when Since then the Society had gone from strength to strength, and this report, he thought, was the best... he had ever heard read.

following the Com-

not the Faith, "and they cannot

the children They mixed with have it" They could not blame non-Catholies, naturally, and so The Committee.

attachments were formed. The re- During the year the

sult was that there was a tremen- dous leakage going on in the In view of this. he had no hesita ladies have served on

Catholic Church. Catholics Eum- tion in asking residents of the butted :-

Mrs. C. G. Alabaster (President bered two and a half millions out Colony to come forward and join

were increna- the Society. He certainly thought and Hon. Secretary), Mrs. E. Cock of forty millions, and that the moderate sum of $12 could (Vice-President), Mrs. H. Golding scarcely at all, despite the be paid by everyone. He hoped smith (Hon. Treasurer), Mrs. J.atural multiplication of families. The Catholic population ought to (Assistant Hon.

for mixed marriages Children Secretary), Mrs. Burlingham (As

he influenced at school, sistant Hon. Secretary), Mrs. W. T. bught

and parents ought to help by look- Southern, Mrs. T. G. Weall Mrs. ing after their children after they Innes, Miss Drury, Mrs. Wode left school, so as to avoid the be house, Mrs. G. Murray, Bieginnings which led to these mixed Shellshear, Mrs. W. W. Rogers marriages. and Mrs. Tracy.

It is a somewhat surprising fact of residents or, what for want of that all would come forward and H. fluut (Hon, Secretary), Irs.ba four millions, and would be but.

regarding

-few

society.

TYPICAL CASES.

THE ANNUAL REPORT FOR

1927.

Mr. Sutherland read the annual'

report, which stated:-

were

an outfit and baggage and sent home to relatives, the Society paying balf his fare. He was placed, on the vorage under the care of an Eng ligh indy, the cost of whose passage was almost entirely borne by the. Society.

Six European officers of a pirated ress:l were outitted completely within a few hours of being picked up from the sea, when their ship was set on fire.

work

WVA, a cut of thouımdı kendid by RAMON NOVARRO. -DATEY BRONSON

MAY MCAVOY, CARMEL MYERS

FRANCIS X. BUSHMAN

BEN-HUR

This wonderful film took thres years to make, cost $4,000,000 and employed a cast of 150,000 players.

AT THE

川

from the immortal wovel by GEN. LEW WALLACE

A Matro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictura Directed by FRED NIBLO

A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Picture.

QUEEN'S

At 2.80

TO-DAY TO MONDAY

Times & Prices

...$1.50, $1.00, 80 ots, & 40 cts.

At 6.00 & 9.15 ...$2.00, $1.50, 80 cts, & 60-cts.

Servicemen in uniform 80 cís, to back stalls and

40 cts. to front stalls at all performances.

The story of a modern Bluebeard and the girl who put an end to his matrimonial marathon- ̧

GLORIA SWANSON

BLUEBEARD'S

In

EIGHTH

WIFE

Gloria at her dazzling best in the screen version

of the great stage success.

AT THE

WORLD

Orchestra at 5.15 & 9.20.

TO-DAY AND

· TO-MORROW

Interpreter at 2.80 & 7.15;

The dramatic story of an immigrant girl who is foisted upon a small kingdom as its missing queen-

:

POLA NEGRI

In

THE CROWN OF LIES

with

NOAH BEERY AND ROBERT AMES

AT THE

STAR

TO-DAY AND

TO-MORROW.

Continuous from 2.30 to 11.15.

YEAR OF DEATH FOR

PEERS..

TEN TITLES BECOME EXTINCT.

A:

Contanarian,

Debrett's only centenarian died in the person of Central Sir George Higginson. Four other knights and three companions each passed their ninetieth year a

Three baronies and baronetdes became extinct during 1027, but seven new peers were created and thirteen baronets. No. barories have been called out of abeyance during the year. or ince

ecven

a better term, I will refer to as help on the work of a deserving Featherstone that there appears to be in some the upper and middle classes, there eireles in Hong Kong a curious

there only about 70 members on our misapprehension

Enta to-day, This is surely quite exact status of this charitable or-

wrong. I would appeal to all to ganization. It is often referred to

come forward and enrol. The sub- a6 The Ladies Benevolent So

scription for ladies or gentlemen is ciety and is thought to represent but 31 per annum, that is 81 per A group of ladica who are goodl month. At Home we would be pay-

The following have consented to enough to combine together to help

serve on the Committee this year: the poor and needy and who are in Poor Rates, here we merely

Mrs. Alabaster, Mrs. Cock, Mrs. ask for voluntary contributions. a Society amongst themselves and When you think of 8t per month,

Hunt, Mrs. Featherstone, Mrs. friends. This, of course, is quite

Owing to the trade depression in wrong in conception, and i welcome it is not much, it is a mere fraction this opportunity of making it quite of what you may win or lose at the Colony during the past year the Southern, Mrs. Well, Mrs. Imes bridge; not as much as the cost of Society has had an abnormal zum Miss Drury, Mrs. Wodehouse, Ars G. Murray, Mre. Shellsbear, Mrs. clear to those who have net grasp a golf ball irretrievably sliced into ber of calls upon its resources Tracy, and Mrs. W W. Rogere. ed the true position that thee the rough, still that amount is applications have been made for

the Kong Benevolent Society is

Typical Cases Assisted By The Society. representative charitable" Society of subcient to form the nucleus of a reef; embracing in all 198 men, the Colony for all cases of distress fund which will do untold good and women and children. After due

And which will bring happinges and investigation, 57. applicants were A refugee missionary agent with other than amongst Chinese

would not granted relief; 43 being new cases, wife and baby (who had been born Portuguese, the latter having the comfort where same

the remainder being found un during their flight from Yunnanfu, Society of St. Vincent de Paul to otherwise exist.

Donations are most welcome but worthy or dealt with by had come to Hong Kong, destitute.. A destitute Filipino family. of. appeal to, and the commier their own

a steady income is even more de- kindred Societies. The total num Their passage home was paid by four were given clothes, furniture associations.

The ladies of Hong Kong come sirable. Mrs. C. G. Alabaster, of ber of persons who have actually a friend and the Society gave them and blankets. The husband now has

No. 314, The Peak, our hard work received benefit from the Society is Innding money, and several other work into it in this way; that

Three young Juds, educated by An Indian womave teacher of the Society, have now gune out into public spirited workers with their ing Secretary, or Mrs. Shellshear, 128; this is exclusive of the cum benefits, hearts and energy in the right c/o The Hong Kong University, ber of children put to school by place, year by year practically our energetic Treasurer, will be the balls bere provided by the English in Chinese private schools, the world to earn their own living.

upon their shoulders the bar only too glad to acknowledge up-clothing has been

the had become almost stone-deaf, there One has been sent by the Romen Society,

by losing her means of livelihood. Catholic community his parents, Thirty cases have been assisted Sir H: E. Pollock sent her to the in Java and has found den of the European community in plications for membership earing for those upon whom for

Appeal To Employees.

financially with sums ranging from Society, which, acting on the advice The other boy is being appren tube bas not smiled, and who

of the G.C.O., took her to Dr. de ticed to Where a great deal of assistance 20 cents to 8420

engineering firm, through Bickness, misadventure, enn be rendered by the public is lack of work or other causes, have in the way of assisting the Com-

Sixteen have been found employ Castro Basto, the throat and car thereby learning a trade. The third Dr. Basto, most gene is being sent to Labuan to a relative ment and advertisements have been epecialist.

The year caused more alterations been obliged to seek nesistance wittee in the matter of obtaining inserted in the local newspapers rously, gave her a long and expen- who can give him work. and this let me guy, except for e-employment for those (both men

An English woman married to a Debrott, of which the 1928 cellent reasons, never withheld,

and women) out of work. It is a for those unemployed' who are na-eive treatment gratis, the Society

has just been published, than any I think it may truly be said heart-breaking businees for the able to afford to advertise for meanwhile keeping her in hospital Chinese, with one son, found em-edition-the 13th sar of issue

in order to give the treatment every ployment as a child's nurse. Her of the preceding fifty years. chance. Her hearing improved wen husband was formerly in a good way that the Hong Kong community are Committee to probe every possible themselves.

Two passages were secured to generous. We have many charit course in this connection. There

-of-business, now, unemployed owing -derfully- able associations here, and each are but few large industrial con- England. Landing money has been

An engineer of French extraction, to trade conditions. year, several what 1. may terus cerns here which can absorb, even given in several other cases.

for many years at one of the larger Os-operation With Other Societies. Poppy temporarily, those who are anxious 15 "ag days" such

hotels. Owing to trade depression, "Nelson Day,". "MC.L

Daring the year the Committee to earn their own living.

coupled with a fire, the Company and others. These efforts are con

" stenched him. His rent was has kept in close touch with the ducted by efficient officia's ably sup

He was found work with the Jewish Benevolent Society, ported by willing helpers and the

paid and other financial help, was Society of St. Vincent de Paul and By this means, and with the help results obtained correctly indicate

of the Police and the G.C. over. the benevolent spitit of our public.

An unemployed English man with No Fing Days. In the case of this Society, we have come down in the world possible by accepting reduced fees: a wife and six children, was helped lapping has become almost an in- In conclusion the Baciety begs to Diocesan Boys School, Diocesan with his children's education, and Pobility. ao pretty through their own fault, or should Girls' School, Italian Convent, and given a monthly order on a cou remind its members that the poli- girls with smiles, coloured ribbons, I perhaps say, their own weakness. St. Joseph's College.

pradore for groceries and milk. Atical crisis in China is by no means armed with the inevitable box of Let us remember, however, that

Twice each year the children are good position was found for him. over. Unemployment with its zt- capacious-maw. In some cases the one must not always be judged by money so collected, goes out of the the first failure, it often serves as visited by two members of the Com: An English, Jady, widow of a tendant evils.is. bound to increase other following: a-motor -pe: prévient ̈*:off roman Prim Colony to aid most excellent causes, a severe lesson and I can speak mittee. Many of these children are doctor, was found employment and for a time at all events. Monetary invited to live in the Society's room help (hest given by joining the dear to the hearts of all. Having with personal knowledge of several of mixed parentage,

Society), gifts of clothing, bedding, Five regular monthly allowances for the time being. put out money into the box, pinned cases in Hong Kong when men have

A little English boy whore mother furniture, toys, etc., cre urgently on the appropriate emblem, in case, been “down and out," and have are being given at the present we are asked to pay twice, we dis subsequently worked their way up time One-Government groatia had died and whose father was un-required and above all, assistance mise for the next twelve months the in the world and are now good and aid was secured through the repre- able to buy him a passage, was given in obtaining employment for de

serving applicants of both sexes, So respected citizens.

(Continued on next Column.) I most sentation of the Society. incident from our minds.

have, no flag day,"

18 Children Supported, During the past year, at a cost I quite see the difficulty of the of approximately $2,989, 18, child- employer who has a staff organized ren have been supported at differ

to exactly suit his requirements, ent schools. The Society is greatly given him. and again, there is reluctance to indebted to directors of the follow- eventually. take on anyone who has not proved ing rohoals, who have made this a success elsewhere, or who may

RA

WORST SINCE 1878.

Thirty-seven peors and thirty-one peeresses died during 1997.

1924.

of

It is pointed out, among other interesting facts, that the Prince

the nine British Orders of Knight- of Wales now holde eight out of

hood, the one exception being the His righth A contrast is shown by the year Order of the Bath. 1908, when only twenty-too peers order was that of St. Patrick, to and seven peeresses died.

which he was appointed in June, These statistics are found in the thus ending the fear that the ed in four years from twenty-two "It is not often that, in the to fourteen, was to be allowed to prefare to Debrett, which states: Order, whose numbers had dwindl same year's obituary, the unmes of die not. both husband and wife appear, but this year's is notable that it

A paragraph is given to the unique

Viscount postion and their respective wives, Lord Craig), the Prime Minister of contains the names of two poers Craigavon (formerly Bir and Lady Bearsted and Lord and Northern Ireland, who when- Lady Oranmore and Browne, of nobled in the last | New. -Year whom the two former died within honours Hie dievation did mot a few hours of each other and the interfere with his sent in the "Par- two latter a few days after one lament of Northern Tplandi, nor

cident,

Minister. there. He is thus not "The death of Sir William only able to legisints in the Upper. Madge, Bt., is also recorded, and House of the Imperial Parlament his decase was likewice followed at Westminster, but also in the the day of hen husband's funeral Northern Ireland, by the death ol-Lady Madge op over House of the Parliament of