Admiral Leveson Expresses the Navy's Appreciation of Shanghai's Hospitality:
Navy League and Race Club Enterprise The Navy was duly established in its new home in Myburgh Road on Monday afternoon, when the Commander-in-chief of the China Station, Admiral Sir Arthur X.c-B., opened the permanent' Union' Jack Club erect and equipped by the Navy League and the Shanghai Race Club. For many years now the Race Club has made the entertainment of Jack ashore its special] care, and it is only by reason of the very handsome support given by the Club that the present enterprise! has been made possible. The Union Jack Club, some details of which have already been given in these columns, should please the sailors} immensely, for in size, appearance and equipment it provides them ith, comfortable and, attractive ters in which to rest and enjoy themselves, und. when everything in proper shape and the decoration of the building has been completed they will havea Club worthy of the Service and a little better than The accommodation includes 'a spacious entertainment hall, dining oom, billiard room with two excel-Tent tables, library, writing roo a room for Petty Officers, and a Dowling alley, whilst a bar has also thoughtfully been provided. There fare several light and airy dormitory fes on the upper floors, with permanent accommodation for 70 men and emergency equipment for 150 more, "As in the case of the the bar and kitchen arrangements will be adequate for all needs, enabling] the men to get the best of food and Tefreshmend at very moderate charges. The maintenance of the Club is assured, and the best thanks the men can give to its promoters will be by making Fallest possible use of it in prefers ence to the many less attractive places clamouring for their esteem-
The Opening Cerem With' a silver key presented to him by Mr. J. 'T. W. Brooke (on half "of the architects, Messrs. Davies & Brooke), Admiral Leveson opened the main door of the {lu promptly at 6.16, and was Sat to sign the guests" book in the entrance hall. Visitors, of whom there were many and chiefly repre sentatives of the Navy League and the Race Club, and service mon, then gathered fi the entertainment hall, where speeches appropriate to the occasion were made.
Mr. Sidney Barton, osc, HM. Consul-General, "began by saying] that the portrait of the late Mr. W. 8. Jackson had boon given a prominent place in the hall, because it was with Mr. Jackson that the idea of a Union Janek Club for Shanghai originated, That was in 1018, when he was Chairman of the Stewards of the Race Club, and it was in that year that the first Club. was opened in Thibet Road. Some' 20 years ago, continued Mr. Barton, branch of the Navy! id, by subscription amongst its menibers in Shanghai, 'a piece of land in the western district with the idea of providing the men of H.)M. Navy with a recreation ground, "It was found, however, that the ground was foo far away to be of use and so in 1920 it] was decided to sell the property; which fortunately had appreciated very much in value since it, was Bought, and the proceeds of that! sale were devoted to the provision of a site for a permanent home for the Club. 'The sum realized, about Tls. 60,000, was not sufficient to provide for' the erection and equipment of a building such as they had now, and provision of the greater art of the necessary funds was due to the continued generosity of the Race Club, who decided to continue their "support (applause). The Race Club provided some Ts. 80, 000, on a mortgage on the hull League had established a guarantee fund which would prevent any pos sibility of a sudden demise of the Club, "should any unforeseen emer-Control of the Club n the hands of; a Com-sisted by representatives! of the Navy League and of the Race Club, and they had secured the services of an experienced Naval, pensioner to act as resident} manager.
Shanghai had owed much to His! Majesty's Navy,. Mr. Barton went of to say, from the opening of the Port up to now, and it. was hoped that that building would serve both asa reminder of that debt and an Incentive to its continued recognition (applause).
On. behalf of the Shanghai Branch of the Navy League and of the Shanghai Race Club, the Consul-General then asked Admiral Leveson to declare the Club open, fand. accept on behalf of "His Majesty's Navy' the accommodation land entertainment which the Club aimed to provide (applause).
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.