An important event of the "day, not on the -official programme in view of the number of engagements, was the opening of Avenue Petain, the latest addition—and a very fine one—to the magnificent system of roads gradually being created in the French Concession. Linking up with Route Pottier, the new avenue takes a_ straight two kilometre line in a southwesterly direction to Siccawei. It is a well laid and broad thoroughfare and will presently be furnished with ample paths, and should serve most usefully in opening up this part of the Concession. The builder will doubtless quickly follow the road maker, and_ developments in this direction have been given a fine start by the American community whose new school occupies a commanding site on the right of the avenue at the Avenue Joffre end. This piece of work is a development upon which the French Council is greatly to be complimented.
AT THE FIRE STATION, The annual presentation of awards at the Avenue Joffre fire station increases in popularity each year and the attendance on every successive occasion is larger. A few years ago it was quite a modest gathering but on Saturday morning the spacious engine room abutting on, the street searcely sufficed comfortably to hold all the visitors. Foremost amongst them were the French Consul-General and Mme. Wilden, several French naval and military officers, the French Fire Brigade in full force, Chief Officer M. W. Pett and other officers of the International Fire Brigade and a strong delegation from the Chinese City Fire Brigade. The station equipment was lined up in front of the gaily decorated building and _beyond the several engines. there was mounted a guard of honour of very smart looking firemen.
The Consul-Genera) having inspected the men and the equipment, Captain M. Chapeaux made a short speech in which he said that perhaps nothing so much induced mutual respect as__ fire-fighting. The brigades of the International Settlement, the Chinese City and the French Settlement frequently—_ joined forces when fighting fires and they all had learned to think most appredatively of one another. He trusted this feeling would continue for all time.
Madame Wilden then presented silver cups and other prizes, the winners being Fire Attendance.—1, G. Char-lot; 2, H. Herve; 3, M. Guyot.
Challenge Cup (with individwal prizes also).—R. Charlevx, Y. Briand, H. Feunteun, G. Char-lanx and H. Herve.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.