Club, who have recently abandoned their old premises in the Whangpoo Road for a new club built for them by the Land Investment Company at the corner of Boone and Chapou Roads, celebrated the event by a ball which took place on Friday night. This was only fitting, seeing that the Custums Club in days gone by has been chiefly known to non-members by the very enjoyable dances given within its walls from time to time. If these **Customs Club dances " are to be continued, as there seems no doubt they will be, they should become additionally popular now that the Club has secured such fine ball-room as has been provided in the new building, The size of the room—80ft. by 35ft.—and the excellence of the fluor are sure to make the Customs Club one of the most popular, not the most popular, of dancing places in Shanghai. The only fault that can be found with the room is that the pitch, 19ft. 6in., is a little too low.
The new club, which has been built from the d of Mr. T. W. Kingamill, is a handsome two-storey structure ut grey and red brick, with the usual verandahs, and an ornamental tower at one end.' On the lower floor are a bowling- 105ft. by Lift. 6in., a billiard and bar room 62ft. by 2lft. 6in., a library 2ift. 6it Qin., and the usual lavatories The height of the rooms on this floor is left.. A specially wide and handsome staircase leads to the upper floor, which contains, in addition to the ball-room already mentioned, retiring-rooms and a ladies drawing-room. The ball-room contains a platform, so that it can be used for concerts, ete.
About300 guests, one-third of them ladies, opening ball, which was unqualified success. The music was supplied by five members of the Town Band, under the direction of Chev. Vela, and the supper was provided by M. Bruine. On such an occasion there was of course some speech-making, but it was confined Mr. R. E. Bredov, the Commissioner, briefly proposing prosperity to the Cluband the health of the guesta, and Capt. Cle responding to this toast and giving the health of Mr. and Mrs. Bredon, which was drunk with musical honours. Dancing was afterwards resumed with a vigour which showed how much the visitors were enjoying themselves. The officers of the Club are much to be congratulated on the cellency of their ents and the great success of the whole affair.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.