ENG-1948 — Page 174

at the end of the year, including the best-known artists in Hong Kong,

འ ་་་་

Many exhibitions of the work of contemprary Chinese painters, engravers and wood-cutters were held during the year, chiefly in the Hotel Cecil.

Photography

The Photographic Society, which is affiliated to the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain, was formed a few years before the war by amateur photographers who met from time to time to exchange notes and exhibit their best prints and who shared a darkroom and studio. In 1941 the Society blossomed forth by arranging for an International Salon of Pictorial Photo- graphy to be held in Hong Kong and about 400 entries were received from all over the world. The Pacific War intervened to postpone the Salon but the prints were

prints were rescued by an enthusiastic member and the Salon was eventually opened by the Governor in December 1946. Since that date an International

Salon has been held every year.

There are now about 140 active members of the Society who meet monthly in an informal dinner when prints are normally exhibited in competitions for which challenge cups and trophies are awarded.

Cultural Organisations

Apart from clubs and societies devoted to the patronage of one particular muse there are organisations which aim at promo- ting generally the cultural activity of the Colony. Prominent amongst these is the Sino-British Club, formed during the period of Military Administration, with the object of providing a common meeting place for British, Chinese and other communities in the Colony for intellectual, musical and other activities. During the past year lectures on a variety of subjects have been delivered, a debate, a quiz, six orchestral concerts and various meetings of the Gramophone Group of the Club have been held. Within the Club various Groups have been formed whose members are interested in such subjects as history, philately, drama, literature and music.

The Y.W.C.A. and Y.M.C.A. have also had an active year and have included amongst their varied activities talks on a wide variety of subjects, classical gramophone recitals, "Brains Trust" sessions, orchestral concerts, Cantonese Classes, debates, the showing of travelogue films, folk dancing and production of full length and one-act plays.

136