Mr, B. C, Westall. managing director of the famous printing firmn of Thomas. De La Rue & Ca. Ltd, arrived here "on the Conte Verde from London on Monday, Oct. 7. on 'a. business tour of the Far East. He is to. make a special study the mentality of the Chinese people during his six weeks stay, as it Is by the knowledge of the characteristics and mental workings of a race that effective means of preventing forgeries of bank-notes can be discovered.
Shortly after his arrival here, he called on Dr. H. H. Kung, the Minister of Finance, and he expressed himself in an interview at the Cathay Hotel next day as being very impressed with his reception. Dr. Kung, he said, was a man who knew his own' mind, and appeared to be thoroughly conversant with affairs and condi-ons. Mr. Weslall said that he also hoped to have the pleasure of meeting Mr. T. V. Soong, chairman of the Bank of China and of the National Economic Council, who had gained rear reputation in Europe.
Mr. Westall Is considered one of the leading experts of the world in detecting forgery, although he modestly disclaimed this honour. A' member of the Belgian association against Poland, Bulgaria, 'Turkey, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, the Banks of the Strait Settlements, Ceylon. and, recently, the Bank of lam. One' issue of the Hongkong Shanghai Bank notes was also printed by this frm, while other banks in China which use this com-any's notes are the Bank of Chins, South Sea Bank, Bank of Communications, and the' Chekiang Provincia! Bank.
In addition to the printing of bank-uncles and ollier fine work, the company also prints stamps for 72 of the Teading countries of the world; an order for several thousands of mil Hons of stamps for China was recent ly received:
An interesting point about Mr. Westal's visit to China is the fact that when Mr. A. J. Avramow. manager for China, wrote and asked him to come out to the Far East, he replied that it was impossible. Without saying anything further, Mr. Avramow sailed for Singapore, and flow the rest of the way to England. After that, Mr. Westall remarked. he "simply had to come addition to his study of forger Mr. Westall has made a special hobby of bridge, and is chairman of the National Bridge Association of Great Britain, his team winning the championship of Britain this year. He has: met Mr. Ely Culbertson on several occasions, and hopes to see him when he returns to England via America also hopes that at the same time he will be able to take his team over to the United States to meet the pick ofthe American bridge players. "He has written several books on the subject which are very popular with ardent followers of the game-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.