Friday was the beginning of the Spring Holldoy, the old Chinese New Year's Day; bank were closed from that day till and including Monday next. The Lunar Year which ended on Thursday had 354 days: the year now beginning will have 389 days, ending on February 3, 1937, and it begins at an earller date than any lunar years Detween 1928 and 1947.
Atter a night's unusual activity which Tasted till carly hours. next moming, Shanghai was all ready to Erect the Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year holidays which began on Friday. With the exception of Government institutions which all Femained open as usual, normal busi. hess was not resumed until next Tuesday, the Afth day of the first moon, of the Good Fortune Day.
The hurry and bustle began last week when accounts had to be selted by various Chinese commercial establishments and a large quantity of provisions had to be laid in for {the holidays, On Thursday being dhe Settlement Day and the last day for purchases until after the holidays. The business hours of native banks and shops were extended. Trams and omnibuses were run until early next, morning.
Tu order to afford adequate protection to native bunks and mei chants who had dealings with these Institutions, the police authorities adopted the necessary precautionary measures during the past week, In areas where banking Institutions are situated, additional police parties Were stationed to guard against undesirable elements,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.