ABSTRACT OF PEKING GAZETTES, March Ist.—An edict is issued in reference to a memorial from the acting lient.-governor of Hunan, reporting the complete destruction of the Minotsz_ rebels at Hwang-piao and Pai-pao by the Hunan auxiliary force operating in Kweichow, the consequent re-opening of the government post road, andbegging the Throneto bestow jours on the oticers who specially distinguished themselves in connection with these events.. The memorial states that the Miaotsz had assembled in great force at the above mentioned places, where, from the nature of the country, their position seemed almost impregnable. But on the 2nd January a combined attack was made by the troops under General Tang Pén-yew and Intendant Teng Shas-haih, when several of the rebel fortifications were taken in succession and destroyed. The rebels fled in the direction of Pai-pao and sought refuge in the rebel strongholds there, but were closely followed by the Imperial troops. Pai-pao was captured and upwards of 1,000 rebels killed. Again, on the ith January, the troops, braving the inclemency of the weather—it was snowing at the time—marched on Hwang-piao, and, under cover of night, crossed the gorge, burst in the rebel stockade, set fire to it, and killed the rebels in countless numbers. This done, the troops destroyed all the fortifications at Pai-kao and other places in that neighbourhood, by which means the government post-rond was reopened. 'The troops also under Intendant 'o-chien destroyed more than ten rebel stockades, and induced some 3,000 Miaotsz to submit to the Imperial' rule. The foregoing successes show good management. Let Wang Wen-shao direct the Hunan auxiliary to follow up the terror which other victories have inspired, making, in conjunction with the Kwei-chow troops, a clean sweep of every rebel in the country. [fore follows a long list of the honours stowed on the officers who conducted the campaign. Some are handed over to the Board of War to be rewarded according to their merits; others are ven brevets, Manchu titles and peacocks'
Yang Chang-cun, lieut.-governor of Chekiang, proposes some new plans for the botter regulation of the salt trade. The Kiang salt-works are divided into two dis-laces which are supplied from the Che-
tricts, designated east and west, respectively. The former embraces Ningpo, Shaohsing, Chinghwa, Chuchow, Yenchow, Wenchow and Taichow; also Kwanghsin in Kiangsi and Hwuichow in Anhwui, making in all ten prefectures. 'The western district includes the prefectures of Hangchow, Huchow and 'Riahsing in Obe-Kiang, Suchow, Sungkiang, Changchow, Chinkiang. and' Taitsang in Kiangsu, and Kwangté in Anhwui. According to the old rales formerly in operation, the salt for both districts was divided and sold in 805,397 scrips, (not including 160,000 scrips which were considered extra), each scrip realizing from 30 to 50 tael cents, according to circumstances, and the whole bringing an annual revenue of Tls. 323,020,709, beside which the sum of Tls. 170,000 was realized on account of fees, trans port etc. In the 4th year of Tung-chih the old plan of farming the nopely was abandoned, on account of the disturbed state of the country, and the salt sold to all comers at from 2,300 to 4,300 cash per scrip, (a scrip represents about 400 catties,) which has brought am average revenue of 1,000,000 strings of copper cash per
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.