Shanghai, May 12, new premises of the ions to Seamen on the ground floor of the Union Building, 17 Canton Road, were declared open by Vicc-Admiral Sir Percy Noble, Commander-in-Chi of the China Squadron, at a little ceremony yesterday afternoon, large crowd of well-wishers, including a number of ladies from the Harbour Lights Guild, attended.
Introducing their guest of honour, Dean Trivett, chairman of the com: mittee, said that the Missions to Seamen had been going in Shanghai for almost seventy years now, yet probably the most aim cult period the whole of its existence was dur-Ing the second half of last" year. Yet the hostilities could be thanked for one thing—they had brought the Missions across "the Creek from Broadway into the Central District. giving them a "new lease of life." He then introduced Sir Percy Noble.
After thanking them for the honour done him in asking him to declare the new home of the Missions open, Sir Perey said that as a sailor he did not have to tell them how much the Missions were appreciated. The new building was just off the Bund and he was therefore quite sure that in the future saflors—both from, the navy and the merchant marine—would find their way towards it not only more quickly but also in greater numbers, From the annual report, saw that seamen of 20 nationali-Hes had visited it in the past year, and he was glad to note this.
'Also in the annual report-was the name of Captain Pote-Hunt, he went on, whom che first met thirty years go and who always visited him in England whenever' He visited that country. It gave him great pleasure to see connected with the Missions the name of the captain who had been regarded by the Royal Navy with respect and' admiration during this 97 years as a pilot (applause).
The "Merchant Navy"
Although the Royal Navy and the Merchant Navy" were, in peace time, considered two entirely different branches of service at 93, in war-time it was found that they were not, and the Navy had the greatest admiration for all those -merelant captains in Shanghai who, during the hostilities of last year, continued to run up and down the river "without turning a hair.
He was perfectly certain that in the future the: Missions to Seamen in Shanghai, under its chaplain, the Rev. F. W.' Weaver "and his Commander-in-Chief, if I may use the term," Mrs." Weaver aughter), would be prosperous and successful. Anything he could do to help the: Missions they could be sure he would do. He declared the new home open and wished it every success.
Mr. Weaver replied by thanking Sir Percy for having been so kind to open the new home. He would, also like to thank the Union Insurance Society of Canton for having so generously given them the use of the rooms rent free, so that they could be & real place for rest, recreation and spiritual comfort' for our sailors." They must also not forget the Resident Naval Omlcer but for whose help they would probably never have been able to get all the furniture and fittings out from the Broadway "howe "to "their" "new After an appeal for more ladies on the Harbour Lights Guild and for support of the Missions" flag day on June 4—which had to be aban doned last year owing to the hhostilities—he concluded by asking for a greater financial support, a. Frigi claire being but one of the many essentials they were still lacking.
The New "Home"
'The new premises, which were on public view yesterday for the frst time, occupy what at one time were the offices of Mackinaon, Mackenzie Ca, and comprise all that part of the' ground floor to the south of the main, or lift, entrance," A separate door leads into the sions, and the little blue, illuminated sign which for so long shone out each night on Broadway now shines out over Canton Road, and is plainly visible from the Bund.
The billiard tables, _venerable piano, comfortable arm chairs and Solas, small library and so on—not} to mention innumerable pictures of the sea—have all been installed and the place has already taken on the cheerful look so typical of the Missions to Seamen, Incidentally, on a prominent place stands a little display, consisting of quantity of bullets and shrapnel, together with halt a shell casing, all picked up as mementoes in and around the old premises north of the Greek, Radio Communications Shanghai, May 14.
Communication with R.'C. A. and Mackay radio stations in" San, }Prancisco will be opened to the public by the former Chinese Government's Radio Administration at 8 o'clock this, morning. Fees and methods of transmission will remain unchanged, Sine January the communication area of the Radio Administration has been greatly expanded. Worldwide service now is provided by communication by way of Osaka. Communication with Manila, "Hongkong, Dairen, Tientsin, Tsingtao, Nanking and Soochow also is available. Cone, act with Hangchow will be resumed shortly.
'Communication with various places in North China is provided by way' of Tientsin and Tsingtao, messages for Manchoukuo are transmitted by way of Dairen.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.