General, was the guest of the Royal Air Force Association of Shanghai at an informal luncheon In "The Dome," the association's headquarters fon the top of the Hongkong Shanghai Banking Corporation's: building, on Feb, 28. About 60 members and their friends sat down 10 lunch. 'The toast was proposed ° by Mr, J. E, Badeley, vice-president the association, who referred to the fact that Sir John' Brenan was no stranger to them, as he had been with them on many of their social occasions during the seven years he had' been Consul-General in Shang-hal, "Our, pleasure in welcoming him to-day," Mr. Badeley went on, "is tempered with regret that It may be the last time that he will be amongst us. As you know, however, he arning charge of the Department of the Foreign OMice which deals with Far Eastern matters, and) we who are in Shanghai will feel that we have a very understanding friend at Court when questions arise affect Ing British Interests in Shanghai.
"During his term of office we have had ample experience of the devotion both of Sir John and Lady Brenan fo the welfare of our community. We have followed his leadership both in stirring times of emergency, such os the 1982 unoMelal war," and In the recent years of business. dimeulties and "depression, during which he has. grappled with the problems of Senior Consul as well the many dimeult decisions which {all to the 1ot of His Majesty's representative in a city such as Shanghai.
'A Pleasant Journey" think that you will all agree that matters both official and 'oMeial he has shown himself to be master of what is peculiarly neces sary in China both'of "Suaviter in mode" and "forriter in re." I will as you, therefore, to join with me in Grinking the health of Sir John and Lady Brenan, and In wishing them pleacant_ jour and all good fortune at Hom.
Sir John Brenan, replying briefly, recalled an anecdote of Sir Harry Fox who was H. M. Commercial Counsellor in China for many years. When the first Air Altaché" was appointed, he was given precedence over the Commercial Counsellor, to the annoyance of Sir Harry, who said it was against nature for "cold air to rise above hot air!" Sir John thanked the members for the honour they had done him by inviting him their guest, and praised the work the Association had done and was doing in the entertainment of the different naval, army and air officers who visited Shanghai. He would lake away with him many happy memories.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.