The Taotai Nieh, the District Magistrate wand the'Mixed Court Magistrate Tsai entertained Sir Richard Rennie and Mr. Hughes ata-farewell tiffin at Mr. Chang Ssu-ho's garden, Bubbling Well Road, on Monday, the 30th'of March.
The guests invited were, besides those for whom: the- entertainment was given, Mr:-Mowat, Mr. Mansfield, Mr. Playfair, "Mr.-Fraser, Mr. Bredon, Mr. Hillier, Mr. "Macgregor, Mr; Chang Ssu-ho and Mr, Zee Tan-char, vie one tainly in the foreign style, the Taotai proposed. the health of the guests in a Chinese speech of which Mr. Zee Lau-char read the following English version:
Genriesex,—I have to ask you on my own behalf, xs well as in the names of my colleagues the District Magistrate Lu and the Mixed Court Magistrate Tsai, to join usin drinking the health of two. of our guests who after a long and honourable residence in Shanghai are about to leave us to enjoy at home the repose which Her Britanic Majesty's government provides for those who have rendered it good and faithful service.
Tu early days British merchants' came here in considerable numbers and soon established a large trade. Their business relations became so extensive and involved 80 maw questions that their government conceived the idea that they could not be perfectly dealt with by ordinary consular officers in consequence of their' being unacquainted with legal procedure. "The Supreme Court was therefore instituted and judges appointed.
Wo, in car time here, have only known Sir Richard Rennie as Chief Justice. The honourable and just spirit in which he has discharged the responsible duties of his office has earned him the respect of all classes and all nationali We have seen how in important cases he has s" given judgment as to impress Chinese suit ure that pure justice may be obtained in the court over which he presides, no matter what may be the position or nationality of the litigants.
Mr. Hughes has been for more than the lifetime of a generation a Bri China, He hus advanced step by step to his present rank of Consul-General. At every port where he has served, at Kiukiang, at Hankow and at Shanghai, he has beau respected by all classes, Chinese and foreig Endowed by nature with a singularly even temper, with patience under difficulties, reasonableness in argument, and a sense of justice in the advoexcy of' claims, he has wade himself respected and regarded all Chitiese authorities with whom he has been brought into relat We, Chinese, always feel kindly tower: and are loth to part with thus, whom.we have learned to look upon as our friends, So are we sorry to say gocd-bye to Sir Richard Rennie and to Me. Hughes.
We can only wish them long life, good health and prosperity at home.
Sir Ricuarp Rexxie pressed the pleasure he had Ue friendliness which had always marked his relations with the Chinese in high office here. He was very pleased to find that the Court over which he had been called upon to preside held so good a position in Chinese estimation, He had always been willing to help his Chinese friends in any way he could, He had, however, found the language a difficulty, He conceived at une time the idea of studying Chinese with a view to increasing his own utility, but somehow he never had been able to carry it out,, Italways had been a matter of regret to him that he had been unable to do.so. He wound up by thanking the Taotai for the cordial mauner in which his health had been given.
Mr. Hocus said he had little to do but repeat the sentiments to. which. Sir Richard had given utterance. He had aleo much pleasure in thinking that his parting from official. life in China was taking place under such agreeable circumstances. carrying with them pleasant reminiscences.: He sid he hoped that when he read the J'eking Gazette. at home he should see the names of all the gentlemen lists. 3 around him frequently. in the promotion After tiffin the party was photographed inthe garden before breaking-up at nearly 4pm ° a
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.