Jan, 4th.—An edict is issued in reference toa memorial from censor LinJui-chi, begging the Throne to confer honours on 17 persons belonging to an official family, who committed suicide when Ning-hsia (in Kansuh), was taken by the Mahometans, in 1863, and asking permission to erect a temple to their memory. The viceroy is directed to inquire into the circumstances of the case and report.
(2) LiHtng-chang and Hsia Tung-shan, literary chancellor of Chihli, request that the literary examinations in the Ho-chien and Shen departments may be deferred till next autumn. 'The floods have destroyed the examination halls, and the people are in a most destitute condition 6th.—An edict is issued 01 vats, buttons and peacocks' several military officers for services last year against the insurgents in outer Mongolia (2) Li Bung-chang, ina Long memorial to the Throne, points out the insufficiency of the sum allowed for the repairs of the Southern Canal. Though this canal is over 700 Li in length, while the Northern is only 400, yet less money is granted for its repair. The nominal allowance for the annual repairs of the Northern Canal is 19,000 taels, and for incidental repairs 17,000; the allowance for the yearly repairs.of the Southern Canal is only 15,000 and for incidental repairs 6,000. In the 4th year of the reign Hsien-feng, the Board of Works reduced these sums to one-fourth, paying only 256 to the 1,000. Subsequently the Throne waz memorialized to allow 50 per cent of the original grant for the Yung-ting river and 40 per cent
now that 40 per cent of original for She Noctsee Canal. The cecil grant of 21,000 taels may also be allowed for the Southern Canal, Less than this is really not sufficient to keep it in proper repair. Since the Yellow River has flowed in its present northern channel, the canal has suffered from the large body of water flowing into it, much more than the Northern Canal; yet twice as much is allowed for the repairs of the latter. The late floods have done so much dam: that it is imperatively necessary that the canals should be put in order, otherwise the transport service will be seriously interfered with and much life and property imperilled. The floods last year were caused by the silting of the canals and the dilapidated state of the embankments. The reason why the canals were in this condition is, that for the last 20 years the grant for repairs has been so small, that no officials have been specially employed to take care of them, and who is to blame for failing to do what he had not the means of doing? This is a penny wise and pound foolish economy, as the past year's misfortunes show. The memorialist there fore begs that 40 per cent of the original allowance of 21,000 taels may be appro printed annually to the repaire of the Southern Canal.
The Board of Works is directed to report.
'6th—Yang Chung-ya, criminal judge of Kansuh, reports his arrival at his post. He left Peking on the 26th of March, 1871, but suffered so many delays on account of the heavy rains and the consequently flooded state of the roads, that he did not reach his destination till the latter part of contribution of cotton-quilted Tothing from.i Hung-chang, when reporting the Hung-chang, wh Kiangsu and Chekiang, for the sufferers by the floods in Chihli, mentioned the munificent gift of 10,000 garments from Hu Kwang-yung. He has now to report a further gift of 5,000 garments from the same person, and also a lot of agricultural impiements valued at 10,000 taels. The me-monalist has also received a despatch from the Commissioner of Salt transport, inclosing a communication from a salt merchant named Yang Chun-yaen, stating that he erected a shed last August on the city wall at Tientsin for the accommodation of a lot of refugees, whom he daily supplied with food for three months at a cost of more than 5,000 taels. He is now giving two meals a day to over 2,500 persons, which will cost him during the next five months more than 6,000 taels. The hospit and hitch outside of the west gate will also necess tate an outlay on his part of 8,000 taels over and above what other persons have contributed. Put together these sums will make about 20,000 taels. The memorialist prays that His Majesty will graciously be pleased to send a tablet to each of these erous: sons, in honour of their noble lil re uch individuals are few now-The Board of Civil Office is ordered to report.
'7th.—Prince Kung returns thanks for the sable-skin jacket' which the Emperor has presented fo him, (2) Prince Shun thanks the Emperor for acquitting him from all blame in re Kwei-hsiang versus Wu-shih-ha, (8) Imperialedict. Some time ago, inconsequence of a memorial from Prince Shun complaining that one of his subordinates, named Kwei-hsiang, had been wrongfully accused of fraudulent practices by Wu—ha, a special commission, consisting of certain officers belonging to' the Imperial Body-guard and the Grand Council, was appointed to hear the case. The main features of the case have already been reported. and the commissioners now forward their final decision. 1. Wu-shih-ha, though not guilty of embezzling public
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.