HONGKONG BENEVOLENT SOCIETY
Continuation.)
The chair on that occasion was occupied by Mr. H. E. (now Sir Henry) Pollock. The scope of the charity dispensed is shown by references to the work done for seamen and other Europeans who were aided and in some cases found employment while it is also mentioned that during 1905 the Society had paid for the support and education of four orphans at the Diocesan Girls' School, two girls at the Italian Convent and one boy at the French Convent and partly supported one girl outside.
It is at the 1908 meeting that we find a reference to the date of the Society's founding and its original aims and objects. Mr. Murray Stewart, who presided, is quoted by the S. C. M. Post the following day (January 31, 1908) as stating:
"The Hongkong Benevolent Society was founded in September, 1889, for the purpose of rendering assistance in cases of sickness, want, poverty or distress arising from time to time amongst persons other than members of the Portuguese or Chinese Community in the Colony. It is an attempt to introduce method and organisation into our charitable efforts, and to secure by careful investigation of all cases that help shall chiefly be given to the most needy and the most deserving. The relief given varies with the individual cases. Some are granted passage money to enable them to get back to home lands, and some are helped to pay their rents; certain children left orphans and destitute are being maintained at school, employment is found for not a few who have become stranded in the Colony, and a little temporary assistance is given to any helping them through a crisis and sometimes towards a fresh start in life. The income of the Society is derived from subscriptions and donations. The condition of membership is the subscription of $2 (two dollars) per annum. This gives the privilege of recommending for investigation by the Committee. Any sum paid to the secretary, other than by way of subscription, is deemed a donation. A donation of not less than $50 entitles the donor to a life membership of the Society."
That is substantially the constitution of the Society to-day.
In the course of that year's report (1908) occurs the following interesting paragraph:
"The Committee desire to express their grateful appreciation of the very generous donation of $10,000 to the funds of the Society which has been made by Mr. H. N. Mody. This sum has been invested in Hongkong Club debentures, and is called 'The Mody Trust Fund' and accordingly brings an annual income of $790 to the Society."
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HONKONG BENEVOLENT SOCIETY
Continuation.)
The chair on that occasion was occupied by Mr. H. E. ( now Sir Henry) Pollock. The scope of the charity dispensed is shown by references to the work done for seamen and other Europeans who were aided and in some cases found employment while it is also mentioned that during 1905 the Society had paid for the support and education of four orphans at the Diocesan Girls' School two girls at the Italian Convent and one boy at the French Convent and partly supported one girl outside.
It is at the 1908 meeting that we find a reference to the date of the Society's founding and its original aims and objects Mr. Murray Stewart who presided, is quoted by the S. C. M. Post the following day (January 31, 1908) as stating.*
"The Hongkong Benevolent Society was founded in September, 1889 # for the purpose of rendering assistan ce in cases of sicknews, want, poverty or distress ari- sing from time to time amongst persons other than members of the Portuguese or Chinese Community in theColony, It is an attempt to introduce method and organisation into our charitable efforts, and to secure by careful investigation of all cases that help shall chiefly be given to the most needy and the most deserving. The relief given varies with the individual cases. Some are granted passage maney to enable them to get back to home lands, and some are helped to pay their rents, certain children left orphans and destitute are bang maintained at school, employment is found for not a few who have become stranded in the Colony and a little temporary assistance is given to any helping them through a crisis and sometimes towards a fresh start inlife. The income of theßociety is derived from sub- scriptions and donations. The condition of membership is the subscription of 2. ( twelve ) per annum. This gives the privilege of recommending for investigation by the Committee. Any sum paid to the secretary, other than by way of subscription, is deemed a donation. A doantion of not less than $50 entitles the donor to a life membership of theSociety"
That is substantially the constitution of the Society to-day.
In the course of that year's report ( 1908 ) occurs the following interesting paragraph:
* The Bommittee desire to espress their grateful appreciation of the very generous donation of $10,000 to the funds of - the Society which has been made by the Mr. H. N. Mody This sum has been invested in Hongkong Club debentures, and is called " The Mody Tast Fund" and accordingly brings an annual income of $790 to the Society.
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