At the rifle range pavilion on, Sunday afternoon a handsome gift, consisting of four beautifully worked silver sweat dishes, was made to Major Brodie A. Clarke by the members of the Reserve Company, 8.V.C.
Captain Adamson made the presentation, and on rising to do so said—I have a very pleasant duty to perform this afternoon. Some time ago the Reserve Company was started and we had little reunions on Sunday afternoons to try and improve our efficiency. Whether it was wet or fine Major Clarke always honoured us with his presence, and often scored for us; if I may say'so he was a jolly good fellow all round. Now that he is foing home on a well-earned holiday it was the general wish of the Company to Rive him some little mark of our regard. Major Clarke has, as you know, been a member of the Shanghai Volunteer Corps for a very long time; he was a member before I came into this world, and before 8 great many of you did so too. On behalf of the Reserve Company T wish to present him with this little token of our regard and esteem. We wish him a plea~ sant voyage home, and a pleasant holiday, and we hope that when he returns he will continue to show the same kindly interest in our welfare that he has dono heretofore. I propose the health of Major Brodie Clarke.
The toast was drunk with enthusiasm, and those present sang "For ho's a jolly good fellow," concluding with three cheers and two loud " tigers."
Major Clarke—I feel that perhaps I am unable to say what I should like to to you because this is quite unexpected. Anything I have done for the Reserve Company I can assure you I have dono with the very best feeling of fellowship for its members. As regards my interest in the Corps, as I have been a member of it since 1866 and last month completed my 37th year, it is perfectly natural that I should take some interest in it. I only irish that a larger number of men would take the same interest in it that I do.
It would be a great benefit if many more young men would join as it is far bettor for them to go in for volunteering than to spend their time smoking and drinking round a bar. Every man who joins the Corps and does his duty can feo! that he does some good to the community in case of trouble, which generally conics without warning. I feel that I cannot say enough about this handsome gift, but T appreciate it very much, not only for its value but for the kindly thoughts and feelings which prompted it. I can assure Captain Adamson and the other members that if Iam spared to come back, any interest. in the Corps will not be lessened by the very kind manner in which I hare been treated by the Reserre Company. I shall look upon this as one of the very pleasantest things which has been done for me.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.