A pleasing function took place on Saturday morning at Taikoo offices on the occasion of Capt. Nelson's retirement, when about 20 of the older members of the firm, assembled in the private office to present him with a sou-vanir, which took the form of a silver cigar and cigarette. box with the names of the subscribers engraved on the lid.
Mr. Mackay said -''Gentlemen. I have been asked to-day to perform the very pleasant duty. of making a presentation to our old friend Capt. Nelson.
"Many of us have known Capt. Nelson for a great number of years, I perhaps longest of you all, because remember him as far back as early 1893, that is just over 30 years ago when he commanded the fine old ship Taiyuan, which was then running Japan, Horgkong, Philippines. Australia and a very capable an very efficient master he was. That has been the secret of Capt. Nelson's success throughout his career. He has always been a strict. disciplinarian, thorough and exacting and requiring others to be thorough. I have heard many masters serving under. him say complimentary things about him, and always that he was eminently just.
"And now Capt. Nelson has decided to pack up his kit and seek well-earned rest and retirement. His loss will be greatly felt by all who have come in contact with him. His careful study of all points put up to him, his essentially sound judgment and recommendations have always impressed me, and the firm, and 1, personally, will very much miss his sound advice, "But, on the other hand, Capt. Nelson has not enjoyed over robust health of late and I think he is wise to-seek retirement while he can still enjoy it.
"And now Capt. Nelson, I have been asked to present to you this small souvenir on behalf of your older Shanghai Taikoo friends whose names appear on it, and I hope it will keep our names green_in your memory. "Gentlemen, I will ask you to drink to the health of Captain and Mrs. Nelson and hope that they may enjoy many happy years wherever they decide to settle down."
Captain Nelson in reply thanked those present for, their very kind wishes and handsome gift, remarking that it was a difficult thing to say "Good-bye"? but a time for retirement came and he was glad to take with" him the good wishes of his friends. The cigar box had the names of those present engraved on it but that in itself would' not be necessary to keep their memories green. It
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.