The French Municipal Council having invited the Frenchmen and proteges of France at Shanghai and the foreign residents on the French Concession to meet yesterday afternoon at the French Municipal Hall, there was a large gathering there at 4.30 j.m. Mr. Brodie Clarke, Vico-Chairman of the French Municipal Council, in the absence of the Chairman, M. Orion, in proposing the health of M. Dubail prior to his departure for Europe, said he must apologise for first alluding to the President of the Municipality. M. Orion, who was away on leave: at the same time he also expressed his t for addressing the assembly in English as he could not speak French. "Everybody knew well what an able official M. Dubail had been and the work that he had done within the limits of the French Concession and outside of it, but_speaking on behalf of the Municipal Council, he' said they never had more pleasant relations thin those they had with M. Dubsil, whose ever-ready assistance had been most valuable to them, and that every suggestion made by the Council had always been received by him most courteously and successfully backed-up by him.
In_his official as well in his private capacity his presence had been a great addition not only to his own nationals, but also to all those with whom he had come in contact.
In saying this, he felt sure he was only expressing the sentiments of all those present, and he felt quite sure that they would heartily join him in wishing M. Dabail a pleasant passage, a good time at home, and a speedy return if he (Mr.
Dubail) was to return here. But he was quite certain that if M. Dubail did not come hack to Shanghai in his present official capacity, that if he was called to go any other port, he would always continue to remain an old and sincere friend, and that wherever he might be, he (the speaker) was confident that he would be found to be as great a benefactor as he has Deen in Shanghai. (Applause.) To which M. Dubail replied Monsieur Clarke—Messieurs—Je vous remercie de Iattention que vous m'avez témoignée en provoxuant cette reception. De tout temps jai roon clu conseil accueil Jo plus cordial ct toujours nous avons marche ensemble.
Jo dais render justice % votre president Mr. Orion, qui @ toujours dinge, comme vous lo dirigez actuellement, lo conseil avec tout lo dévoucment et Vintelligence de: tables, ne vous occupant, Frangais strangers, que bien' tre public. Did quelques semaines, d'ici quelques jours, la lumitre electrique éclatrera La concession; chest 1k une des plus grand innovations dont In Municipalité a & se féliciter. Jo vous remereie personnellement et yous prie de transmettre an Conseil Municipal en mon nom expression de mes remerciments de [attention quail m'a témoigné.
The health of M. Dubail was then drank in champagne by all present, and three hearty chee en for him, and the
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.