A dinner party was given by the four leading Chinese public bodies in Shanghai on Wednesday night in the Park Hotel in honour of Brigadier-General, E B. Macnaghten, former Vice-Chairman of the Shanghai Municipal Council, who is leaving Shanghai on home leave shortly.
The meeting was presided over by Mr. Vu Ya-ching, doyen of Chinese members of the Council and Gen. Macnaghten's colleague in the Shanghai Refugee Relief Society of which the guest of honour is vice-chairman The participating Chinese public bodies were, (n addition to the society) the Chinese Ratepayers Association, Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Shanghai Civic Associa tion.
In the course of his speech, Mr. Vu pre:
ed appreciation on behalf of t ihe Chinese for the excellent public services rendered by the distinguished guest during his past 19 years' resldence in Shanghai. Brigadier-General Macnaghten was especially praised for his untiring efforts to assist Chinese refugees and also for his kindness, politeness and straight forwardness in his dealings with the Chinese from whom he has won unanimous admiration.
"Perhaps, General Macnaghten does not realize what a high regard the Chinese community have for him, and how with real respect we hold him as our great friend. His Chinese name is, to the Chinese, one of the best known names of the foreign residents in the city. This, I submit is by no means a sheer accident! especially when we remember that his Chinese name runs into four characters and how difficult it is to pronounce it with correct Chinese enunciation with the title 'General' added to it."
In reply, Brig.-Gen.
Macnaghten appreciated the "greatest kindness" extended to him by every one since his arrival in Shanghai some 19 years ago and in expressing thanks he said that "if I have been able to repay by public service in the smallest degree even a part of the great debt of gratitude I owe on account of the kindness which has been extended to me, I am content, gentlemen—more than content" He hinted in his response that he might not seek civic honours after return from leave ready to give way to advancing years but in this respect he contrasted himself with Mr. Vu praising the lotte: by saying that he (Mr. Vu) "defies time and gets younger as he gets older."
Among those invited to the dinner were Major K. M. Bourne, Sir Robert Calder-Marshall, Mr. A. C. Cornish, Mr. Jean Donne, Mr. Stirling Fessenden, Mr. C. S. Franklin, Dr. J. H. Jordan, Mr. Eugene Y. B. Kiang, Mr. W. J. Keswick, Mr. Li Ming, Mr. K. H. Ling, Mr. S. Francis Liu, Mr. Kwei Yen-fong, Major J. T. Ford, Mr. C. M. Shu, Mr. Kenyon Tseng, Mr. T. S. Powell Mr. G. G. Phillips, Mr. C. C. Woo, Mr. L. T. Yuan and Mr. Kenyon Tseng, who interpreted the speeches.
In accordance with a resolution recently reached at the general meeting of the Chinese Ratepayers Association, the Association has forwarded an official letter to Brigadier-General Macnaghten thanking him for his efforts in connection with the maintenance of peace and order and care of refugees in Shanghai
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.