Finançially "The year 1939 was one of the most successful years for the SMC. Orchestra and Band, as regards both ihe musical production and the financial results, despite the continued unsettled political situation and the depression which has affected Shanghai, states Maestro Mario Paci in his annual report on the Orchestra and Band. The average attendance at winter symphony concerts was 670 people, as compared with 565 in 1938, and the total gross receipts for the year, including the summer season concerts, amounted to some $34,000, representing an increase of some $10,000 on the previous year. In fact, since the opening of the 1939-1940 Season in October last, several "full houses" were recorded, when it was necessary to turn away a number of people.
Thanks to the untiring and invaluable services rendered by the Business Sub-Committee, both the grants for the maintenance of the Municipal Orchestra by the local French Authorities and by the Ttalian Government, first accorded in 1928, have been renewed for the season October 1939 to May 1940.
these two grants of $20,000 and Lire 30,000 respectively, both the French Authorities and H.E. the Italian Ambassador, Marquis F. M. Taliani de Marchio, have again generously placed at the disposal of the Orchestra a large number of symphonic works by French and Italian composers so that a number of Concerts may be arranged devoted exclusively to the performance of those works.
Tur Portuguese Ladies' Benevolent Society are giving a concert in aid of their charities on Saturday, February 24, at the College Municipal, Route Vallon, at 9 pin. The programme has been carefully selected and all ere assured of an excellent performance.
A reckrrion is being held at ihe Glarendon Club, 55 Yuen Ming Yuen Road, today at 5 pin. on the gecasion oў its fourth anniversary. Children dressed as Valentines will greet the guests. Lady Clank Kerr, Wife of the British Ambassador, will be the guest of honour.
Six months ago a trusted friend, now a possible foe, Norway appeared io have changed much in the esti-motion of Soviet officialdom as steps are being taken to reopen the USSR. Consulate-General in Shanghai, the "Shanghai Mainichi" reported yesterday.
Raports of its work among Jewish refugees during the past twelve months will be given at Shanghai Hebrew Mission's annual meeting from 530—645 pin. in the hall of the Shanghai Free Christian Church, 681 Hart Road. Chairman; Dr. Lacey Little:—Guest speaker; Mr. Robert Gillies. Tea from 430 pr.
Dr. H. H. Kung, Vice-President of the Executive Yuan and concurrently Finance Minister of the Chinese Government, has accepted an invitation from Dr. R. Tagore, as honorary patron of the Department of Chinese of the India International University, of which Dr. Tagore is the secretary-general, says a Chungking message to the "Sin Wan Pao,"
IN a communication to the Shanghai Flour Merchants Guild, the City Chamber of Commerce urged that measures be immediately devised to lower the flour prices for the benefit of the city's poor, says a report to the "Sin Wan Pao." Flour has become the main diet of the poor, as a substitute for rice and other foodstuffs. The poor cannot afford to buy rice, the communication pointed out.
Tur poultry industry is at the present time in a pitiful plight, owing to the shortage of essential foods for their stock. Thousands of stock raisers throughout the country see ahead nothing but bankruptcy. In some areas only twenty-five per cent of the normal supplies of wheat, oats and offal is available, end as a result stocks are being killed off and sold at a loss, glutting the market.
THERE will be a short organ recital in the Cathedral this afternoon preceding the Lenten Service, Mrs. J. Davidson will be at the organ. The organ music will commence at approximately 515 p.m. and the service will begin at 5.30 pin., when the Dean will preach the third in his series of Lenten addresses, his subject being "Belief in Jesus Christ" Confirmation candidates are reminded that they are expected to attend this service.
Sax Francisco's Chinatown returned to normal on Monday following a three day Rice Bowl Festival. During the celebrations thousands of Occidentals jammed the narrow streets of the Chinese section of the city, contributing generously to the Chinese war refugee relief funds. Chinese quarters estimated that collections from the sale of rice bowl dinners, "Humanity Legion" buttons and other donations amounted to $50,000.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.