The function of the presentation to the Volunteer Corps of their new Colour took place on Thursday, October 11, at 4.30 p.m, at the Public Recreation Ground.
Each unit of the Corps was represented by a stated number of all ranks. The first part of the ceremony consisted of the Trooping of the Old Colour which was curried out in a thoroughly commendable manner. An Escort was then formed for the new colour, and Mr. H. G. Simms, Chairman of Council, presented it to the Corps.
At the conclusion of the' cere-many Mr. Simms delivered the following speech "Colonel Gordon, Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Men of the Shanghai Volunteer Corps, I regard it as a great honour as the representative of the Shanghai Foreign Settlement to have the opportunity of addressing you on the occasion of the presentation to you of a.new colour.
"The Volunteer Corps has a record of which any community can be proud. From the earliest days it was borne in upon the residents of this Settlement that its defence in a large measure depended upon themselves. It was for this reason the Corps was formed, and it is for this reason that it exists to-day. Your's is a long and honourable record, and may it continue so.
"This community takes a great pride in all the phases of the work connected with your duties as a Defence Force of the Settlement, and how thorough your training thas been is evidenced by the smartness and efficiency shown by all ranks on parade to-day.
"Your colour which you have borne so proudly was worked by the ladies of Shanghai and presented to the Corps some fifty years ago. It has been well cared for by you until to-day when its replacement has become necessary. The old colour, it is intended, will be placed in a position of honour in the Administration Building, and to you I commend the new colour, confident that you will guard and cherish it as you have done the old, and that it will always be an emblem of your devotion to duty. Colonel Gordon, I congratulate you on the high standard of efficiency attained by the Corps, and on behalf of the Community I wish to thank all ranks for the time they give to this highly important public service and the high esprit de corps which is so much in evidence here to-day."
Adjutant's Telephone.—The recommendation of the Commandant that the Council defray the charge of Tls. 9 per quarter for the telephone installed at the Corps Ad-jurant's private residence has been approved as a special case. This privilege will not, however, be extended to any other volunteer member of the Corps.
Customs Company.—2nd Lieut. C. Neprud resigns his commission.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.