For some years now, the SIN. Police "drum and "fife band, and especially the mace-swinging drum major, have been the envy of every small "Wang, Ching, and Chow Shanghai, and the papas of the same Lik have not been behindhand with their admiring "hal-yah" asthe musical boys in blue have caught the eye on such occasions as Police Sports, Chairman's inspection of the Specials, etc. Emulation was bound to come—and it hes come from the Post' Offi, who are at least one up on the Police, for they have achieved brass band supplemented by Chi-neve string instruments.
'The Post Olfice hid a very good chance of making a. successful chal Tenge. for "musical honours, for the Commissioner, -M. A. M. Chapelain, When' he Is not engaged. in plotting the safer and speedier deliver Tetiers, reminiscing - with people, encouraging sporting gather-Ings, and generally helping to keep the world smiling, seeks relaxation in'music. A walla' ago, he inculcated the principles of "tum-ium-te-tiddley-tum" into' the postmen of Hankow, and those who learned to "lootie-o" Enmewhat better than the others he Organised into a decidedly useful orchestra. Such a project seems to have been somewhat longer in realise tion In Shanghai, the preponderance of street noises possibly having distracted the postmen as they hummed their musical way when delivering letters, for it is understood that three years have elapsed since its! fan effort was made to Introduce mmusle to Szechuen-lo-Grand. How-fever, patience deciphers the worstwrltien address, and equally eventually distinguishes between an andante and a. semi-quaver, s0, from beginning with 32 enthusiasts, the Shanghai! Postal Band now mustere more than 200 musicians, who, dressed meat green" uniform and—with shining. Brass buttons, have added much. pomp to many a parade held by. the members of the postal union and other popular meetings.
Saturday way a" red-ietier day among the Chinese postmen, for the Postal Band gave its first concert in the Central Auditorium, Huanpangchao, North Szechuen Road. Under the able direction of Mr. Chao Shu-yen, who Is also coach to the Chao-Ying "University Band, the concert, pnetuated with some items played on Chinese string instruments, Hghted a full house, the clapping and Toud cheering being eloquent testlmany to its success Chapelain, who was a xuest, was" generous In his praise of the work of the Band. He said the Band had created such great interest among the postmen that many spent almost their entire leisure time practising.
The following programme was rendered:—
The Kuomintang Song: The cheet Cadets, March, Sousa: Emer fait, Julius 8. Seredy: Chinese rus Aores Vous, Waltz, Geo, Douglas: Chi use muses Th the Stockade, Overture Llvcombe: Coors Holiday, Char eteriatie Slow. Maren, Geo. Baul Red, White, trid Blue, Patrol, Lo Brockton; Chinese music: Die Helm Lorene: Beau and Belles, Waltz, Kincomber Prenige, March. "Geo. Rec
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.