Two days before the New Year (lunar) came in the official issued a proclamation on the catering for feasts, Whether it was issued just then for the guidance of the people! or to restrain those who are inclined to go to excess it might be difficult to say. The proclamation states that the +-ft have discussed the matter and the official was glad to support them in so laudable an effort. While recognizing that Lanquets cannot be dispensed with altogether, the tendency of late has en to waste and extravagance. It has been agreed thst in future! eight dishes or five dishes and eight! small plates shall form the first-class menu and others to have less. This will prevent waste, and be much more hygienic. Should any exceed this allowance they will be fined (amount not stated), and the fine handed over to the Red Cross Society. This is really an old custom revived.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.