Astrea, sends us the following When we read over the report, and re-fleet that the small balance shown therein is all that is at present available to start the new "Shaftesbury House," we cannot Dut feel that the promoters have undertaken a great responsibility. I should like to give you a short account of the starting of the "Shaftesbury." It was started by Mr. Stuckenbrok and Mr. and Mrs. Felgate, to provide a place of recreation for the sailors of the men-of-war of the various navies which visit Shanghai. Mr.and Mrs. Felgate joined with Mr. Stuckenbrok because, when members of the C. I: M., they were forbidden by the Council of that organisation to entertain bluejackets on the premises allotted to them la the M. compound. This is mainly why Task the assistance of your pen, because without entering into the merits or demerits of the men of the various ships, we sailors, who care not to spend our tine and money in the drinking saloons, feel how grateful we ought to be for such an establishment, and especially to see the new house built and started on a sound financial basis, is what we most earnestly desire.
The furnishing of the new house with suitable fun and all the other necessury requisites, is causing the founders great anxiety. I may mention that Mr. Felgate leaves for England this week, for a well-earned rest, alter a long stay in China; but while away he will also consult. many influential people, including Admiral Seymour, upon business matters connected with the new House. Being personally on intimate terms of friendship with the founders, T have been able to realise the enormous amount of work and anxiety they have undergone on behalf of bluejackets. It is in gratitude for this that Ihave appealed to you on behalf of the men of the Astrea, t do your best, through the medium of the "N..C.D. News," to ensure the success of the new venture, by making it better known to the people of Shanghai.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.