"You have frequently heard the term Municipal Ship of State. If the Council could be so likened, then Mr. Phillips must be a very efficient masterman whom we have engaged. It is he who reads the compass, steers us into the harbour of safety after having braved the most destructive hurricane that we have yet encountered. I think the worst days for Shanghai have passed. The crisis that descended upon us is certainly unprecedented, but I hope it is nonrecurring. Thanks to Providence, although the weather is not clear, we have reason to hope that better days are in store for us, and our ship, while having not yet completely emerged from the effects of a major catastrophe, is able now to resume its normal course and is definitely heading toward its destination.
"It is a great pleasure to see among our guests here Major Gerrard who is shortly to retire from the Council's service, Major Gerrard was first entrusted by the Council with the task of reorganizing the Police Force, and after having been given the command of the Force, he brought it to its present level of efficiency The successful preservation of peace and order in the Settlement urder the most trying circumstances fully testifies to the efficiency of the Force and the ability of its commander. It is therefore with regret that we contemplate the retirement of Major Gerrard. In proposing our toast te the Secretary, we wish to add to it eum toast to the retired Commissioner."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.