Speaking on behalf of the builders, Mr. A. W. Brankston said:—"The str. Ta-Chie which you have just witnessed launched so successfully has been specially designed and constructed to the requirements of her owners, the Ta-Ta Steam Nawigation Ca., for service on the Yangtze. I have on previous occur sions referred to the rapid and progressive strides that our Chinese friends, particularly those interested in shipping, are making and I[ will therefore avail myself of this opportunity to congratulate the owners upon the addition of this modern vessel to their fleet of steamers.
"As most of you are aware, the past year has seen a general trade depression and this has been very marked in the shipbuilding industry all over the world. It is therefore very gratifying to us to know that Chinese shipowners are looking ahead in the same manner as some. of the older: foreign shipping companies have dene out here and are preparing themselves to meet the competition of the future by
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.