Rear-Admiral Chilton's Reply to Farewell Wishes:
Novel and Artistic Presentation The Zero Club of Shanghai has! had so many notable occasions that probably long ago it ceased attempt-Ing to make comparisons, otherwise it might be formally correct to say of last Wednesday's gathering at the Shanghai Club," in old-fashioned Journalese, that "it was one of the most enjoyable occasions in the club's history." Really, however, it was by way of being an outstanding 'Occasion. Coineiding with one of the club's regular tiffins, it was the anniversary of the opening of, the Battle of Loos (recognized as Zero Club Day), it was the 2ist anniversary' of the departure from Shanghai of the frst contingent of British volunteers for war service, and it was a farewell to Rear-Admiral F.G.G. Chilton, surely one of the most popular "R.A.Ys." ever to com Fellet to the humdrum existence Although it was not Strictly formal or official, the Zero Club members also were able, with rear joy, to insist that it was a farewell to the bachelor days. of Admiral "Chilton's—"amanuensis," Flag-Captain C.A.A, Larcom, 'Already hard pressed to find room for their wonderful collection of trophies and remembrances, the Zero Club were made the possessors of still another, the artistic value of which ranks' og high og will the antiments it will convey. This was 2 silver model of a bec (the R. A. 'Y's. flagship is HLM.S. Bee), guarded by the appropriate og, mounted on 2 blackwood plinth bearing a silver late with the signatures of Rear-'Admiral Chilton and Capt, Larcom, executed by Messrs, Alexander Clark from the design by Capt. Larcom.
Mr. Hardman's Philosophy Mr. BF. Hardman, presiding at the timn, was in his most delightful oratorical vein. "He noted the an~ niversary occasion and said that, when the volunteer contingent sailed from Shanghai, it was doub\- ful if, as with thousands of others, they Knew to what they were going. Tt Was inevitable that some would pay the great sacrifice and it was their privilege that day to do honour those who had fallen and those Who had' survived. "They were proud, 100, of those who so. quickly followed the example of the first [volunteers and went off by the Suwa Maryu. They were proud to claim as on old member of the club Commander Ruxton, whose death they recently lamented. They were proud, too, stil to have with them Hugh Martin, also in the first contingent, who not only was a pioneer fof the club, but had done much to keep it going, Then, too, that day was the anniversary of the commencement the battle of Loos, which had been chosen as Zero Club Day. The war undoubtedly, especially by reason of the tremendous casualties, engendered hatreds, but it was a matter for pride that those bitternesses could bbe and were being forgotten to-day. Nevertheless, they would be falling away If they neglected to cherish war-time friendships and to remember the services rendered by their allies. "Shaking hands with the Germans," declared Mr. "Hardman, officers, but in no way had he allen short of his distinguished predecessors. On leaving Shanghai he would carry with him the sincere wishes o: the Zero Clue for his good health, hapuness, "ud future prespecify. Bern whatever port be had directed the destvales of the British ships on the Y.ngve, they had admired him, and they would still remember even though he was to sail furth: than Weihaiwei. The members the club were equally genuine expressing their good "wishes (Capt. Larcom, adding felicitations his forthcoming marriage,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.