Judge Helmick, in a humourous speech, deplored the habit of Shanghailanders to call upon gucsls for after-dinner speeches, and. felt unfair. that this should now be extended to breakfasts us well. AS fan American he felt proud of the work of the American troop and assured all that each time they went out for a ride, he rode with them spirit, with' particular emphasis the latter qualification. The rei-fon for his emphasis he explained was due to the fact that at one time the past he was a member of a cavalry detachment of one of the branches of the U.S. Militia, On a certain occasion, perhaps a July 4 celebration, his troop was ordered on parade. After an impressive march past they were lined up to listen to the speech of the occasion. Judye Helmick frankly admitted that he did "not think much of the speech and it soon became obvious that his steed thought even less of it than the, with the result that the sensitive unal backed out of the patriotic gathering and finally—deposited him in' the gutter outside the 300 years old palace of the city's Hovernor, To crown the situation, the noble animal gave final vent lis feelings by silting upon the speaker. For this reason, it was explained, the American Troop would continue to receive the admiration and support of the judge, but, in pint only.
The Year in Review Captain H. D. Rodger, after extending a hearly welcome to the guests present, said: A number of you have taken courses of instruction uring the past two weeks and 1 think' that these are most necessary and useful: 1 personally enjoyed these classes very much indeed.
Our Colonel is to be congratulated upon the training system. that he has adopted and put into force: it is interesting, practical and useful. 10 carrying out the aystem we will have practical instruction oF a tide every Sunday. For this purpose the troop Will be divided into two groups and the experienced men will have a tide and the other group will have instruction in equitation. We will follow the US. Cavalry' regulations modified to meet local conditions and sive the same instruction in viding 4s is given to the recruile in. the US. Cavalry. Next Sunday, October 20, we shall have our first efficiency parade. On October 27 we will again have @ ride in muni anda riding class, T want to take this opportunity particularly to thank the officers and N.C.0's for the excellent work they did last year. T think from a point of view of efficiency we had the best season we have ~ver had and a higher percent of men qualified as We had a very large turnover: 13 new men joined the troop: 27 men Jeff Shanghai and resigned, and we thave to-day 61 efficient men. There fare only four men now in the troop Who were not efficient last year.
S.V.C, Headquarters was very much lessed with our shooting at. the! Annual Rifle Classification: this was, Very largely due to the assistance and organization which was arranged for us by Headquarters. We hope this year to do even belter, Because we don't get paid for: volunteering and the members of the Corps give their time freely it is desirable and necessary that the Parades be made as interesting as possible. "A most interesting - programme for the year's training has been made out and we believe that you will all ud it interesting and tactical.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.