Central Fire Station has been de-_ corated for the past two days as part of the annual "joss" held contmemorate members of the Brigade who have died, and to ensure good fortune for present firem during the ensuing year. The joss is held during the seventh moon every year.
'A ground floor dormitory at the' station has been cleared out, and tars. placed in it. At these' altars September 6 Confucian priests chanted their masses, burning cand intoning their chants.
ight Buddhist priests will take their turn, and carry out their} ritual Part of the programme is a celebration, which was held last night, commencing at 6. p.m. and Insting until the early hours of this morning. This consists of a theatrical and is attended by a large gathering: firemen as can get off duty, their friends including several foreign members and friends of the ade.
Ail around the station there are hung as many paper representations of clothing as can be placed around the station, as well as paper joss, money. The garments include clothing for the dead men, and tunics bearing the numbers of present members of the brigade.
At the entrance to the courtyard there are hung nine lanterns, one above the other, and at the top there a "spirit." The lanterns represent nine divisions of China, and over these the spirit will maintain its [watch for the next year.
"In the courtyard there has been erected a stage for the theatrical performances, gaily draped with the flags of all nations, with the Municipal Shanghai Fire Brigade flag in the centre. Streamers of Hoxmting hang over the courtyard.
Last night's show was given by a galaxy of talent, including strong-men and their feats, conjurors, low comedians who evoked roars of laughter from the large audience and musicians who played Chinese musics of all sorts and occasionally gave parodies of foreign music, and them very well.
To-night the "joss" will end after the Buddhist priests have celebrated their rites and carried out procession around the municipal block, And after that the souls departed firemen and the destiny the present will rest easy for another year.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.