January Ist.—(1) The Censor Vu Han-chih requests that strict orders may be given to Li Hung-chang, the Governor-General of Chihli, that no oppression be allowed in connection with repair of the road by which the Imperial cortege will proceed to the Eastern Tombs next spring on the occasion of depositing the remains of the late Emperor ('ung Chih) and the Eupress, his wife, in the Mausolea prepared for their reception. Their Majesties have already directed that no special road be constructed, but the Censor still fears that those charged with the repairs to the existing road may find means of extorting money from land-owners along the line of march, under the plea of levying labour for the necessary work. [A Decree on the subject has already appeared.
(2) The same Censor states that it has come to his knowledge that certain men in the disguise of police runners, charged. with the service of summonses, have lately been victimising innocent individuals in and about Peking. This all arises from summonses not being sealed, and from no mention being made of the plaintiff, or the nature of the charge. He requests that, as is dono in the provinces, the particulars of the charge may be mentioned on the document, which should also bear the seal of the proper authority. [A Decree in the terms prayed for has already appeared.
January 2nd.—No documents of importance.
January 3rd.—(1) The Governor of Yiinnan submits for approval the measures he has taken to encourage education in the Province, "Colleges and schools existed fore the rebellion, but in the troubles that ensued they were neglected. He has now directed the district authorities to r open schools wherever necessary. Special buildings need not be constructed, nor is it required that instructors should be brought from a distance. A room in the nearest temple, and a graduate from the neighbourhood will answer every purpose. If there be no school funds on which to draw, subscriptions are to be invited; and failing these, the expenses are to be defrayed from any moneys the authorities may have in hand. The main object being to reclaim the uncivilized, and confer on all the ad-enages which proceed from education, (2) The Governor of Shensi begs that he may be permitted to send in a general statement of the sums expended in famine relief, instead of submitting the detailed accounts which are required by regulation. Relief operations are now at an end in the province of Shensi. During the ten months ending with the sixth moon of last year, lore Were assisted, in all, 3,140,000 persons; the sum spent being 2,300,000 taels, in addition to 1,100,000 tan of grain consumed. It is obvious that so largo a number of persons could not have been kept alive with this alone; private charity fortunately was not wanting, but of this it was not possible to keep count. If the district authorities were to be called upon for detailed accounts, they would put down, certain figures which, however well they would balance, would not represent what had actually been done. Rather than submit falsified accounts, the Governor prefer to state the impossibility of preparing correct returns, and to beg that, in their stead, a general statement may be accepted showing what moneys have been received and expended in famine relief.—The request is granted.
(3) Li Hung-chang requests that a reward may be bestowed on Wu Chung-siring (Y&4tP Hp), an oficial in the Arsenal at Foochow, who has subscribed Tle. 1,400 to the famine fund.
January 4th.—(1) Li Yang-sheng (A& ft) is appointed Brigadier-General of Nan-ao.(Namoa) in Fuhkien.
(2) The Governor of Shantung submits the result of his enquiries into an affair that occurred in the district of Ling Hsien in May last, A band of two or three hundred robbers who had been pillaging the country round was mot and attacked by the district Magistrate at the head of armed force. The banditti were defeated, and twenty odd were taken prisoners. These, after a trial, were summarily decapitated. As the Magistrate merely reported the matter without} forwarding the depositions made at the trial, it was feared that he might have put innocent persons to death. An oticer was accordingly despatched by the Governor to investigate the circumstances. He learnt that the offenders were, in truth, malefactors who well deserved to die, and that the
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.