On the morning fixed for the meeting, we were delighted to read in all the local papers an announcement to the effect that Government had decided to take over the lepers, and to build separate and suitable accommodation for European and Eurasian patients. This notice removed from us the burden of the undertaking we had proposed to attempt; for it would not be necessary for us to try and organise a home in the face of such an announcement. However, as we had called the meeting together, and it was then too late to postpone it or to explain matters in any other way, we decided to allow it to take place, and to simply put forward our first resolution showing the immediate want of such a home, and to let the matter rest for the present, pending the action of the Government. A few hours before the meeting took place, my husband met one of the members of the committee of the District Charitable Society, who warned him that a hostile demonstration had been prepared to nullify the effect of any resolutions brought forward by him. This gentleman informed my husband that the paid secretary of the District Charitable Society, whose father was the paid superintendent of the Leper Asylum, had sent round a circular to all whom he thought would help him, requesting them to attend our meeting and to support the counter resolutions or amendments which his party would bring forward. The initiative in this step was taken either by the secretary himself, or by someone who used him as a willing agent; for the sanction of the committee had not been obtained in taking it, nor had it been canvassed. The member of the committee in question expressed his strong sympathy with us, and regretted that his official position prevented him from according us his public support. On pointing out the extreme impropriety of the hostile action on the part of the secretary of the District Charitable Society, I may mention that he is a young Eurasian, whose social standing and personal qualifications in no way entitled him to address his employers, by circular, in the manner he did. Consequently, I conclude, that however warm and interested his feelings may have been, he acted solely and entirely from secret orders, the responsibility of which, or of an inquiry into his unauthorised conduct, rested on the President of the District Charitable Society.