view American military attache, arrangements made' by their Government to equip. British commerce here with the official information which is s0 necessary for successful trading operatic Tt has never doubted Mr. Brett's practical and assiduous attention to its interests. The recent visit of the Thompson Commission, of which, by the way, Mr. Brett's successor, Mr. Loais Beale served, expressly recognised the assistfnce which the Commercial diplomatic officers in China had given to them in prosecuting their Important "inquiries. They were greatly helped too by the careful records placed at their disposal by the Commercial Councelior in Shanghai.
The unfailing courtesy displayed by Mr. Brett during his term of office has been much appreciated by the community. He has never attempted to claim for his department. achievements beyond those made possible by the limited resources at its disposal. Ho has never failed to give to inquirers' auch advice as wax suitable in the dificult conditions through which British trade has teen passing in recent years. There ate some who recognise that the offelal nee to be en to the foreign trader is chiefly governed by political conditions which are peculiar and, some respects, lacking in other parts of the world, Mr. Brett's Intimate acquaintance with Chinese procedure and his long experience here have been of the But in speeding Mr. Brett on his way to Burope where, it wil be hoped, he will completely recover that health which has not been. too. good of late, the community here will wish Ao pay tribute to one who has shared in the social life and unobtrusively done much to promote good relations between various nationalities and various sections, AS 4 rood frishman he has been a keen member of St. Patrick's Society. He has never shunned the com-his fellow-men; indeed he figure weed in i. As an oficial the public colleagues have recogtist type of civil vant who places daty before his Jown personal conveniente, with: out "any self-seeking or self-advertisement. He has shown those qualities on which. the British public service has been able confidently to draw for sev-feral generations and which, for the sake of that service. it hoped will be always available in maple measure.:.On that: account and because of his own qu forceful and human personality Shanghai wishes him good lick Jand mans happy, sears in his own land.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.