As was certain to be the case, under the short notice given, the S. V. C. parade on Wednesday was thinly attended; only "forty riflemen, and about half that number of Mi-ho-loong, putting in an appearance. The Rangers were also very thinly represented, and a solitary artilleryman Jent the aid of his uniform to complete the display. This was rather a pity, as the occasion was one which would have certainly called forth a good muster of mer:, had they been able to make their arrangements beforehand. All are glad to contribute their share to the eclat of a prize distribution, and to add their mite of applause to the winner. It is an ill wind, however, that blows no one good, and there was certainly one advantage in the smallness of the square which the men formed in the Public Garden, alongside the Summer-house. Every one could hear distinctly every word that was uttered; and the and Mr. Dicwell's remarks were applause with which Mrs Goodwin's
ceived, was a genuine expression of appreciation of their courtesy and sound sense The men having been formed in three sides of a square, facing towards the pavilion, Mr. Dixwell, the Chairman of the Municipal Council, and ex-officio Commandant of the Corps, opened the proceedings as follows Gestuemex Vouuxrerns,—We are assembled to-day for the distribution of the five prizes for which the members of the Shanghai Volunteer Corps have been recently competing. To avoid certain dif culties which arose in making the arrangements, it was urged by some of my colleagues, that all the prizes should be presented by the Chairman of the Municipal Council, sustained and countenanced by the presence of the Ladies. A little reflection sufficed, however, to show that one of them, the Ladies' Prize, the first in order and in interest, should not be dealt with in this manner, but could only be appropriately bestowed by one of the Ladies themselves. The subscribers to the Purse were, therefore, requested to elect one who should speak for them; but, before I give place to her, you must allow me to make one more remark, and to call your attention to the fact, that the giving of this prize by the Ladies, and their presence here to-day, are intended as an encouragement to continue and perfect the Volunteer organization. This has been observed in some quarters with not altogether approving eyes; but the Ladies, with swift intuition, outrunning the processes of argumentation, and anticipating their result, have found no difficulty in making up their minds as to what, under the netoal circumstances of the case, it was right and manly for us to.do. They have on this and on a former occasion, selected, with womanly tact, the most graceful and appropriate means of expressing their opinion; and I believe I speak for you all when Ieay that we accept their conclusion with entire confidence that the ultimate result of all reasoning upon the subject will simply be to confirm their decision.
Thave now the honour to present you to Mrs Goodwin, who has charge of 'Tue Lapis' Prize.
The Winner (Captain Cann) will please to step forward, as will also private J. B. Cunningham, who takes the 2nd, and Capt. Maclean, who takes the Srd Prize.
Mrs. Goopwrx then presented the prize, with the following remarks my privilege, Capt. Cann, to hand you reward which has been well earned. It is a special pleasure to present this prize to you, because you were one of the few who consistently advocated the maintenance of the Volunteer Corps in a state of eficiency. Whether our lot be cast in Europe or in China, we are perpetually reminded of the necessity of being prepared for an emergency. It is easy to say that the community was filled with causeless alarm in June and July, but I believe that to the fact of your prompt reorganization we owe our present security. Thouzh it is wrong generally to be purse-proud, I think you may rightfully be proud of this purse. To you, Gentlemen, who have taken the second and third prizes, I have equal pleasure in presenting them.
Mz Lrwerz then presented the remaining prizes He said:—We now come, Gentlemen, i" the
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.