Among the passengers leaving for Home last Saturday, by the P O. S. Plassy, was an old and valued employee of the Chinese Maritime Customs service, in the person of Mr. J. W. H. John. Mr. John joined the Customs Statistical Department in Shanghai in 1885 and during the past 12 years has held the position of senior proof-reader in that branch of the service. That Mr. John's work in his department has been fully appreciated is shown by the fact that more than a year ago his time for retirement fell due, according to the age limit, but those in authority asked him to continue his good work for a further period.
Mr. John can relate many interesting and amusing experiences in connexion with his work in the Customs publishing house, which was established some 45 years ago, but he pays a high tribute to the work of the Chinese assistants.
That he has been always popular with both the foreign and Chinese staffs is very evident, as on learning of his retirement, his foreign colleagues thought the occasion
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.