Doleful prophets of Shanghai's trade decline should pause in their observations when they learn of the healthy nature of the piano business '8 revealed at the annual meeting of Messrs Moutrie and Ca, Lid. This old-established drm, which manu factures its own pianos and admits that It is a luxury trade, reported for last year the largest turnover in 18 years and a previous loss was converted into a handsome dividend-paying profit. To the man in the street it comes as a pleasant surprise find Shanghai pianos being sold in South Africa anda local firm receiving orders from countries as distant as Holland and Sweden for Shangha) [products which must be subject to the keenest competition from European firms. Locally, the great musical interest being displayed by Chinese schools where musical courses are becoming an increasingly popular part of the curriculum, must have fan effect on this particular form of business. Concerts and recitals are Ineld frequently at practically every school, and especially girls schools, fand this developing musical taste is highly encouraging aspect of modern Chinese education. Only a few weeks ago at the Shanghai Music Festival there was a mass pianoforte concert when 16 gine performed on Jeight pianos with a skill and effect which impressed even the most [discriminating critic.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.