The above photograph shows the U.S.S. Astoria, which arrived in port on April 29, The 10,000 ton cruiser, which brought the ashes of the former Japanese Ambassador Mr. Saito, from America to Japan, Summer Comes to Greet Shanghai Shanehai, May 3 hanghai_ was a happy place yesterday.. Gone, for a day at Toast, were the eares and worries which We been introduced by the depres sing times. In their place cameo festive alr—an air which pervaded the whole city and sent Mr. Shanghvailander, his wife and kiddies out of doors. The reason for the change was easy to sce for yesterday might well be described as Shanghai's first cal simmer day. With a maximum temperature in the city of 809, the warm rays of the sun shining out of fan almost cloudless sky and a gentle Breeze to temper the heat, conditions could not have been better to wander way from the confines of the household for a day in the open alr. And Shanghai spent the day in the open alr, From morning until dusk the streets were crowded with thousands of people, al of them bent on making the most of the first real. pleasant weather this year. In the parks and open spaces of the city the sume conditions prevailed, here the summer dresses of the ladies, with their many varied colours, adding a touch of brightness to the pleasant summer scene, Shorts, too, made their appearance and' here and. there were tone or two white suits, but, as usual, the majority of the male population was way behind the ladies In donning suitable garb for the occasion, At Jessfield Park, unprecedented scenes were witnessed as large crowds of people pushed and jostled each other good iaturedly in their efforts to reach the ticket emees, which had been besieged by thousands throughout the day. Outside the park long, streams of cars were parked row upon row, while heavily laden buses Alsgorged their passengers at few minute intervals Sallors and Souventts, Inside the park chairs were at a premium, Jatecomers having to be content with a seat on the ground. Here and there could be seen a few British sailors, all of whom had donned their white summer uniforms, Which contrasted strangely with the heavy garb of the British soldiers and of members of the other foreign forces in the city, who took advantage of the bright weather to spend the day in the park.
Similar scenes were witnessed from morning until evening at Shanghai's other open spaces, Koukaza Park featering for a huge crowd of dwellers in the French Concession, while at the Racecourse there was a great demand for seats throughout the day. "Also" enjoying the summer weather were hundreds of American sailors from the USS, Augusta and the USS. Astoria, the majority of the men from the latter vessel" paying their frst visit to the port, Heavily Tadeon with parcels, they could be seen throughout the morn {ng and afternoon wending their way along Nanking Road, gazing Into the shop windows, all of them cager to buy souvenirs of Shanghai before the Astoria leaves for Hongkong after her short visit, Laughing and joking a they experienced their frst. Chl= hose rickshaw rides, they added an Jair of jollity.9 the scene while, 'a5 they" bargained with shopkcepfers along" th large crowds of smiling Chinese gathered around 18 watch them buy their souvenirs.
Although the temperature on April }30 was not so high as the 81 degrees re-Jeorded on the previous day, conditions were much better, for on the previous @ay the sun had been obscured by hazy clouds which, as evening came, turned to rain, With a gentle breeze blowing throughout the day, the heat was not fell 50. much, nor was there any threat of rain as the coolness of the evening drow near. Yesterday was indeed Shanghai's frst iminer day.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.