The following memorial has been addressed to the Municipal Council, with reference to the coolie difficulty which we have described elsewhere.
The Periziox of the undersigned &e., showeth ist.—That since the establishment of the Foreign Settlement we have been under the control of a certain head-man who held is license from the Chinese Authorities, empowering him to employ us as gang of voiles for foreign labour, and as such be responsible for our acts in the landing and transhipping of cargo. years, this head-man was one Ching Quay, Who gave us every satisfaction; but in con" had to find sub-assistants about 9 years nonce of the great increase of trade, he
ago, and amongst these was one called Woo Ying Fong, alias Ahwo, who- succeeded sharily afterwards in bribing the Mandarin, let him have Ching Quay's license, and ultimately succeeded in getting it.
Srd.—That so soon as he assumed power over us, he commenced squeezing us fearful extent, fully 30 to 40 per cent, of our poor daily earnings, by telling us that there were certain Chinese and various Foreign Government, also Municipal Council, fees, and other taxes ete., to be paid out of each coolie's wages. During the 9 years of his office the squeezes must be Fearful;—to our rough calculation the amount of squeezes exceeding over a hundred thousand Taels, and that we have Intelearned such fees (c. is not the case, but on the contrary he has pocketed the money himself.
4th.—That if any of us complained of this, he was immediately turned out of the gang, and lost employment. We therefore agreed to appeal to you asa body, and make the matter public.
5th,—Your petitioners humbly pray that the Municipal Council take their case into consideration, and would suggest that this coolie labour be under the control of the Council, who could appoint a headman for them, and thus maintain order and peace in the Settlement. They have seen Ching Quay, who was formerly their headman, and he agrees to act as such again, if the Municipal Council will take control, Your most obedient and humble petitioners, Cue Quay and 518 others.
Shanghai, 8th May, 1871.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.