( xri ) 



There is but one other point to notice; acknowledgment is 

 due to Government for remitting, to the benefit of our Society, all 

 local postage on its letters — MSS. and Journals. As it is important 

 this benefit should be known to all Members and contributors, the 

 communication from Government on the subject is here recorded :— 



"Colonial Secretary's Office, 



" Singapore, 2Lst January, 1880. 



" Sir, — In answer to your letter of 24th December last, with 

 reference to reducing the payment for Postage on books despat- 

 ched to the other Settlements, I am directed by the Administrator to 

 inform you that His Excellency has great pleasure in thus assisting 

 the Straits Asiatic Society, and has directed that all publications, 

 sent out by the Society to the other Settlements, with the signature 

 of the Secretary, will pass without charge by all local steamers 

 between the Straits Settlements and Native States. 



" Instructions to this effect have been issued to the Post Office. 

 " I have the honour to be, 

 " Sir, 

 " Tour most obedient Servant, 



(Signed) " CECIL C. SMITH, 



Colonial Secretary, 

 Straits Settlements." 

 " The Honorary Secretary 



of the Straits Branch 



of the Moyal Asiatic Society, 



Singapore.''' 



Treasurer's Report. 



At the last Annual G-eneral Meeting of the Society, held on 

 the 13th of January, 1879, there was a balance in the hands of the 

 Treasurer to the amount of $309.52, and the amount of Subscrip- 

 tions for 1878 then outstanding was $72, and the liabilities of the 

 Society at that date amounted to $47.60 for bills outstanding. 



Eight of the Subscriptions for 1878 have been paid, and the 

 four are now considered as withdrawn, under Rule 6. 



