His Majesty's Minister Ernest Satow, G.C.M.G., noon handed to some 200 past and present members of the S V. C. the China medal awarded them for te gallant. if unpretentious, part they took in meeting the danger threatening the Settlements three years ago. The after no-n was ideal, and A prettier sight than the green Bund lined on three sides with khaki warriors, and encompassing them a denser body of spectators, many of them ladies in summer attire, would be difficult to bring about within the Municipal area, The tiver made a perfect background, and the band, though a little mournfully inclined, did somewhat, -though it was scarcely necessary, to raise the spirits of those present. A table, set a little south-east of the Itis monument, was the rallying point, and the open side'of the military square was towards the Public Gardens. Here, in consequence the crowd of onlookers was thickest, stretching to the end of the Garden jetty, but there were no gaps to be seen as far as the P. & O. flagstaff. Special interest was manifested in the line of mufti-clad veterans belonging to to the Reserve Company, drawn up on the southward sid-.
ne tually at six o'clock, Sir Irnest, driving with Mr. R. W. Mansfield, C M.G (Consul-General), fom the British Consulate.
ved on the ground. His appearance m was heralded by wan cil), " captain Stokes (vf the Eclipse) nd_Mrs. St kes, Captai Plenderleath.(of the Afutine), Mrs. F. 8. A. Bourne, Mrs. H.C. Hodges, Captain Boisragon ut the Municipal Police, Mr. jamieson of H. B, M.'s Consulate, Major Watson and staff of the S. V. C. The Rev. for complication with the Boxers and] H.C. Hodges, Chap'ain of the Corps, stood with the early-st group to receive their medals, and afterwards joined the party atthe table.
Immediately advancing towards the troops, His Exeel ency addressed ther as "Tean assure you it gives me the greatest satisfaction to distribute to you the medals awarded to you by his Majesty, the King for the part you took in the defence of Shanghai three years ago. The record of the British Volunteers in China is a brilliantine. It is a matter now of som what ancient history thit. the Shanghai Volunteers turned out against the hordes of the barbarous Taipings and drove them back at the battle known by the name of Muddy Flat, in which they sealed with their blood their determination to uphold the freedom and liberty of Shanghai. Not less distinguished were those volunteer who took part in the defence of Tientsin in 1900, during the siege of an open town. which lasted for nearly a month, and in which they distinguished them selves equally with those gallant diers and sailors of different nations who eventually stormed the stronghold ofthe enemy. The Shanghai Volunteers, 1 might say perhaps unfortunately for themselves, had not the same opportunity to distinguish themselves before the enemy, but of one thing I am quite certain; that is, if they bad been called upon to take the field against the enemy, they would have been found worthy successors of their progenitors of 50 years before. I will now proceed to distribute the medals."
F rst to receive the medal was Major Brodie Clarke, the senior officer and almost if not quite the oldest member of the Corps. The Chaplain's turn came next, then officers and men of B, and the Customs Companies in turn, with the Reservists and a number of former members who have now left the ranks. bringing up the rear. It was a remarkable procession, and Sir Ernest seemed to have the appropriate remark ready for each one in his turn, Many of those better known in Settlement were cordially applauded as their turns came to file by. Among the recipients occupying humble posts in the ranks were tne seting Chief Justice (Mr. F.S. A. Bourne) aoa Cuntiieone:
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.