On Saturday evening the fourth annual dinner of No. 2 Company, Shanghai Volun ter Corps, took place at the Masonic Hall. About eighty members and guests were present. Behind the Chairman's seat was an effective piece of decoration consisting, of three stand of arms behind which appeared the design bearing the date of the foundation of the corps, and as a background a number of flags. The chair was occupied by Captain Bright, who was supported by Mr. John Macgtogor (who, as chairman of the Municipal Council is civil commandant of the corps), Major Morrison, Captain J. Holliday, Captain Lanning and others.
The Cuarnmax, in proposing "Thi rulers of our respective countries," observed that whatever was necessary to be said for such a toast would be better left to the esteemed occupant of the chair on his right (Mr. Macgregor), who, besides being the head of the little republic of which they were all so proud, was the consular representative of a monarch whose subjects might be seen at the table that evening. Mr. Macgregor was also a volunteer of very ancient date—somewhere in the 70's—first, as a Mih-ho-loong and more recently as commandant of No. 3 Company. There was no better friend of the Volunteer Corps of one more ready to assist them, as far as was in his power, to become efficient soldiers worthy to be entrusted with the defence of the vast interests of the settle-
Mr. Jou Macoxecon, in reply, said that in a community of people one of the primary necessities of comfort and pleasure in living was the matter of good order; and in a community like Shanghai, of which it might be said that while all were subject to law no one governed, the maintenance of order was the primary necessity. The community possessed the usual civil administration for that purpose, but it was well, if not necessary, to have behind it some latent power which could be called forth on an emergent ey. Inthe Volunteer body they had that latent power to call upon in case of need, and it was the knowledge of having that power which enabled them (the Council) to go on quietly and confidently doing their duty, knowing that they had the means of preserving order in case of need. In conclusion, the speaker com] Company upon the admirable appearance it plimented No. 2; had always made upon parade, and said he bad no doubt that in the approaching inspection the Company would come to the front both in numbers and efficiency. (Applause) "<The prosperity of the Shanghai Volunteer apt. J. E. Houtipay, in proposing Corps," expressed his pleasure in being resent and in proposing the toast, there ing no one, he was sure, who had the welfare of the corps more at heart than himself, having served in the corps in all ranks, from private to commanding officer. When he attended the meeting the previous week, he had been a little surprised to hear the very straight way in which Major Morrison talked to them. If he (the speaker) had done so during his command the whole lot of men would probably have gone out of the room. This simply showed that in those days the men did not understand what discipline meant and now they did understand. Discipline was the first, step to efficiency, and volunteer discipline was the highest efficiency, because it meant that a man subjected himself to discipline for the good of his corps. There was a difference between this and the private soldier, who would get into serious trouble if he did not obey orders the volunteer submitted himself to practically the same rules with a view of making himself efficient. A few years ago the corps had to go very slow." It was thought a wonderful thing when they were able to get ammunition from Hongkong by paying for it; while now the English Cov. ernment supplied a good deal of ammuni-j tion free, and not only did one officer of the army come to inspect them, but another comes to superintend the drill during the training season. After relating some humorous reminiscences of the old days of the corps, the speaker concluded by again expressing his gratification at being present.
, jor Mornisox, who responded, said they all knew that one of the standing orders issued by the Municipal Council was to the effect that if the corps had ever to turn out for active service, nun-efficients would not be allowed to fallin. It was an excellent rule, and one which he should do his best to uphold; but it would not do to make the rule of efficiency too strict. If the object of such a rule was merely to exclude a man fromshootingina rifle competition, for instance, there was no harm in making it strict; but when it came to a question of [active service, the rule should only be strict enough to make the meu who turned out feel that their commander was justified in placing confidence in them. They must know something—how to bey orders and what the orders meant; and if the commanding officer felt that all the men understood the commands, he could give them fearlessly, but if he was afraid that the men would not understand he would have to take up time by explaining everything and they might come to grief, He hoped there wore no members of any of the companies who considered that all they had to was, to fulfil the regulations laid down in the last general order that was issued. He could not say he hoped any one company would be any better than avy other; it would be quite out of place for him to do 80; but he hoped No. 2 Company would do its utmost to be the very best in the whole "show," and he should not wonder if it came very well to the front, (Applause.)
Capt. Bropre Crarke, in proposing "Prosperity to No. 2 Company," said the members of the company could not do better than emulate their captain. Men in the ranks often seemed to think that it was a very easy thing to command a company but if they had a month of it, especially about the time of the training season, they would probably be very glad to take off the sure the company, under Capt. Bright, word and take up the rifle again, He was
would come to the front at the inspection and no one could wish them better than he (the speaker) for whenever the compan; and the Artillery had been next to each other they had always worked together like one corps. That was the spirit which should animate a small body of mon like
dropped in the interest of the corps as a theirs, and persona feelings should be (Applause).
Captain Brrcur, in response, said this was probably the last time he would be presid-"ing on such an occasion as captain of No. 2 Company ('"No.") It would be the last occasion if the motion which he intended to bring forward at the next meeting was carried, to change the title from "No, 2 Company" to *B Company" (Applause and Inughter). Proceeding to contrast the present state of things with those prevailing in former times, the speaker referred to the great advantage which had accrued from putting members of all ranks through examination of some kind. He urged the members to do their best to get recruits, and to cultivate a feeling of esprit de corps, Referring to the shooting he said they had
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.