Retiring Commissioner Appeals for Unity Between the Two Staffs A goodly company of members of both the indoor and outdoor staffs of the Chinese Maritime Customs -assembled in the ballroom of the Customs Club on Wednesday evening to witness the presentation of a handsome silver rose owl, suitably inscribed, as a parting gift from the service to Mr. E. Gordon Lowder, the retiring Comnussioner of Customs at Shanghai.
Mr. C. N. Holwill, Deputy Commissioner, said that from time to time the Customs service had been criticized and during its history there had been a few black sheep and some cases of dishonesty, but, in spite of all this, it had enjoyed a world wide reputation for more than 60 years for integrity and efficiency. The credit for this was due to men of Mr. Lowder's calibre, ability and capacity for work and their years of faithful service. For himself—and he thought all those who had known Mr. Lowder personally would agres with him—he could say that Mr. Lowder was an exceedingly pleasant man to work with, He was always willing to listen to anything one had to say and would support decisions when a certain authorized stand had been taken. They all wished him many happy years to come, and in token of this he asked Mr. Lowder's acceptance of the rose bow].
_Mr. Lowder said it was impossible for any Commissioner, no matter how well meaning and well disposed he might be, to keep in as close personal touch with such a staff as the Customs had, especially the outdoor staff, as could be done with a smaller force. It was because of that he recently expressed the wish to have an opportunity of meeting all of them and when assured that his chance would come he did not realize it would be of this nature. Forty years was 2 big slice out of a man's life. It was a long way to look forward, but not so long to look back upon and to him it did not seem more than 10 or 15 years. He had made many friendships which he valued deeply and if he had done anyone an injustice no one regretted it more than he did himself. On the other hand, if he had ever been of any assistance to any member of the staff, he would consider that his years had not been wasted.
He still felt young and, were it not that he recognized the absolute justice of getting rid of the old hands, to make room for the young: er ones, he should resent having to go. He was glad to feel that the continuity of his association with the Customs would not be broken, for he had a son in the service and it. might not be too much to hope that his grandson would also enter it.
Mr. Lowder concluded: I do not recognize the line of distinction between the indoor and outdoor staffs, Whatever you imagine that line to be, rest assured that it is
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.