To the Editor of the Norrx-Carxa Darty News, Sm,—Te has long been working in my mind to write a few lines on the subject of the approaching Jubilee celebrations, but T have delayed doi to see some one better qualified than myself to handle the subject atap into the arena, A fow leading spirits, as is generally the care in Shanghai, are endeavouring to formulate something that will please then-selves, but will it please the bulk of the community for whom the celebration is supposed to be gat up, and for whose general pleasure the functions should be ordered?
Tam aware that the community had their chance of airing their opinions and views oth xt the last Ratepayers' n ering and by li ation, but were they in a better to do so any more than the fow acherness to advocate? All must and in fact practically have admitted, that the final iden passed at the meeting is very empty one, and the only thing that can be said in its favour is that it was passed an the only feasible one in view of the impractionble or too expensive propoditions brought forward, T de not see, however, that it is too Into to waken the community from its apathy on the subject.
Tf we as a cosmopolitan Settlement are to spend Tle, 5,000, why, in the of conimon sense, cannot we do ao in a way that will entire some satisfaction and good to the many both in the present and in the future?
Are we to put this money in thy ockers of Chinese contractors for decorations and fireworks, and in making our little ones sick on a surfeit of buns and woak ten?
Those views were roughly what came to me originally. but they hae been accentanted by the two advertisements which have since appeared, inviting people ta decorate and illuminate their houses, and to attend a Pablic Banquet ut $15 for a man and his wife, and $5 extra for each of his daughters, ete.
Has it come to this then that we have to pay. and pretty heavily too, for the privilege of keeping the Jubilee?
Tt is evident that a celebration not within reach of the masses is not likely to be a and to call upon a man and wife to pay a great deal more than the cast of what they can possibly eat and drink for their tiffin on the day of the celebration ix not, T should think, what the originators of the idea had first in contemplation. To what fund will the surplus of such an entertainment go? Tt seems like Shanghai cliquism over again, and on this occasion in a very objectionable form. How many amongst the middle classes of Shanghai can afford or are justified by their salaries and expenses in spending this banquet tax? It will resolve itself into tittin for " select few, which, I suppose, the select few als at, but which is decidedly not keeping a universal celebration, For Tls. 2,000 or so we could have had a good general entertainment for the little nes, and a sort of general reception or coming together, some light refreshments, at some public place where all could goto, for the adults, and all world have been satisfied without any heart-burnings Those that liked to do ea could of course decorate and illuminate their houses if they did not mind the expense, and I suppose we could have some fireworks with the above sum.
By all means let _us have a general holiday; one day would have been quite sutlicient, two will be a bore to many, a loss to many, and interfere with general business, Shanghai can ill afford just now any extra taxes put upon it in any shape or form, however seductive.
Now for the balance of Tis, 3,000; why not have made it the nucleus of a fund fur building " sanitarium on one of the Saddles ing could easily have been started on this, and a few subsequent subscriptions it. This would bea Jubilee benstit indeed to all, and one which is more urgently needed every year now Shanghai ling become a place of residence uiany for life, and where so maw little ones, occasionally absolutely requiring breath of fresh sea air, and who could not obtain it aby other way, are growing up around us, My ideas, Mr, Editor, are put in a very crude shape, but hope they will be sufticient to induce others to take this matter up before it is too Into, and that something more sensible will be the outcome.
Iam sure there are many who would like to see some tangible and Insting omento of our fast-approaching Jubilee, and not let the occasion slip by in empty and half-hearted festivities which, will econ be forgotten, and the funds voted for the purpose frittered away in the passing enjoyment of a holiday alone.
Tam, ete., 18th October.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.