The Scottish Concert at the Masonic Hall In is a long time since there was a Scottish concert in Shanghai, due to circumstances over which the nation had no control, having another matter of prior importance to attend to, but the Shanghai Scottish Ca., S.V.C. and St. Andrew's Society, working together, on Wednesday made a very creditable start on a new series. The Masonic Hall was engaged and was more than comfortably filled, so that the promoters may well feel justified in booking a larger place for the next Burns Nicht event. Lieut. Alistair Campbell presided over the smoking concert, with 2nd Lieut. KR. Wood in the vice-chair. An excellent and varied programme provided.
The toasts were limited to two. The health of His Majesty, was first drunk and then the President, Lieut. A. Campbell, gave "The Immortal Memory."—His sperch was quite a masterpiece, for he worked in Burns, the Great War, Paymaster - Commander Gyles, America and the Haggis until the whole for ingredients would have worsted any Haggis of the West ern Isles. A delightful touch was added by the unusual] procedure of calling upon Mr. H. G. Simms te reply and the response was as humorous as the address.
The impressiveness of the toast was greatly added to by the fact that the Scots raised their glasses to a fine illuminated painting of the poet. the work of Miss McColl, who did so much in the decorative work at the Caledonian Bail.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.