Dinner. nnual_ dinner of the Hongkew '0. 2, 8. F. D., took place on ing at the Hotel Metropole, covers being laid for forty-eight persons, with a vacant chair for Chief-Engineer 1 Moore, who is at present in the" Nursing Home. The proceedings were opened by the singing of the Doxology, all present standing, after which the Chairman, Foreman Kahler, proposedthehealthof "Our Respective Rulers." In proposing the next toast, that of Our Sister Companies," Ist-s sistant Belycs said he.did not know why they were called "sister" Companies, seeing that the firemen were all brothers, but he supposed it was because there was more love between sisters—other fellows' sisters between brothers. Foreman Campbell pithily responded. 2nd-Assistant. Broad, in_ proposing the toast of "Our Firemen Guests," said that he was very glad to see so many present, and he hoped that the large gathering on this occasion would not be the inst. He would like to see present, not only the officers of all the Companies, as in this case, but also all the members. He referred to the good feeling that had always existed between the firemen and their friendly emulation of each other in the arduous task which they had voluntarily undertaken. Foreman King, in reply, referred to the esprit de corps shown by the firemen, and emphatically stated that while such existed Shanghai would never require a paid Fire Brigade;—a remark that was received with loud applause, Secretary Bradley proposed "Our civilian guests" and was loudly applauded, and Messrs. Lightbody and Ball responded. The next torist was that of "Our Chief-Engineer,"" proposed by Foreman Kahler, who fee ly referred to the great misfortune which had recently befallen the head of the lo. He said that although their -Engineer was absent in body, he was present in the minds of all, his vacant chi testifying to that fact. In view of the anniversary of Mr. Moore's birthday, the members had sent him a telephone message wishing him many happy returns of the day and a speedy recovery. He might mention that Mr. Moore arriv in China in 1861, and joined the Fi inde on the Ist of May, 1867, s date he had only been home once—for one year—though he had made two or three short trips to Japan and Hongkong. This reference to the Chief-Engineer ed with loud applause, Departmental Ordresponded and also spoke with feeling of the subject of the toast. Next came the toast of "Our Brownie," the No. 1 pony of the Hongkew Company, proposed by Fireman Sykes, who gave a short tory of the animal of which the Hongkew Company are very proud. Fireman was called upon to respond, for, hay ing recently written a book entitled "When Twas a Dog," it was thought that he could appropriately assume the character of the pony, which he did exceedingly well.
A pleasing variation of the prog wus the presentation to 2nd.
Broad by the members if his Company of a pair of handsome silver: salt cellars, as a token of their appreciation of his services as a fireman, 'These were the oily toasts on the printed programme, but several impromptu toasts' followed. One -was that of Foreman Kahler," proposed by Ist-Asstntant Bidwell, who almost exhausted the dictionary in his endeavour to represent, Mr. Kahler as. Those remarks were endorsed by all" pre-gon of perfection in all respects,.and
sent if the hearty applause which followed was any criterion.
The Foreman responded, stating that he did not think he possessed quite all the virtues they had eredit-! ed him. with.
Mr. B. Osborne proposed Sweethearts and Wives "—" May our ethearts become our wives, and our remain our sweethearts." Fireman Davis was called upon to respond; which he did in his usual felicitous manner, though he said he had neither sweetheart nor wife, nor did/he at present anticipate getting one.
The remainder of the evening was. taken up with music, well rendered and. heartily appreciated, the more so as the majority of the songs being old favourites, all present were able to join in the choruses. The evening's entertainment concluded shortly after midnight with the singing of Auld Long Syne."
The following was the musical pro-
Mr. Rattenbury.
Robinson.
Rickard.
Robinson. Song—' The shipmate"...... Foreman King.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.