June 23rd.—(1) A memorial from the Superintendents of the Imperial Granaries with reference to the last consignment of tribute rice forwarded by sea from Kiangsu, They had been informed by the Board of Revenue that the Governor of that province had memorialised His Majesty praying that some allowance might be made this year for the condition of the rice which, owing to accidents of weather, was pulpy in dhow'and the memorialist, proceeded. to quality. When the rice reached Mung-
inspect it prior to taking delivery, they found that although it was not absolutely mildewed, the kernel was pulpy and far from clean. Now it is essential for rice that has to be stored for any length of time that it should be hard, dry and round; and although the memorialists are aware that conditions of climate in the es beyond control, if the Governor of Kiangsu precedent it will be impossible proper supply of rice for the exceptional case like the resent the rice may be iasuod out of turn, Wut it is essential that positive orders be given that the application of the Governor of Kiangsu be not taken as a precedent. The memorialists then proceed to quote ancient decrees published in the official guide by which the grain tribute system is maintained, in support of their contention.—For decree see Gazette of 10th June.
The remainder of this day's Gazetle is occupied with memorials from different for incapacity and other shortcomings.
-ovinees denouncing various minor officials
receipt of a memorial from Ting Pao-chien, Tune 24th.—(1) A decree acknowledging
Governor-General of Szechuen, who reports that a disastrous flood has occurred in the Yen-yuan district in that province, which has destroyed between seven and eight hundred houses and caused the death of about a thousand people. The flood was caused by a heavy fall of rain accompanied by hail, which occurred in April last. 'The Governor-General is directed to take immediate' steps for the discovery.of the extent of the damage and the number of lives lost, and is authorised to issue relief in proportion to the gravity of individual cases of distress.
(2) A long memorial from the Grand Secretary Pao Yun and Mao Ch'ang-hsi, Minister of the Tsung-li Yamen, who were deputed to investigate charges of fraud brought against certain officers connected with the Imperial stables. Their enquiries have led to a partial substantiation of the charges preferred, and they recommend the dismissal of Kuany Shan, Secretary in charge of the Imperial Stables, and a writer under him. (See Gazettes of 12th June, 6th and 25th April, and 23rd February.) receipt of a petition from one Hsieh Po-lun, @ literary graduate from Awhui, who states that his brother, Hsieh Po-lin, having taken objection to the ploughing up of a crop of beans belonging to him by one Chou Shih-hsi, the latter killed this brother and another one, as well as petitioner's father.—Referred in the usual manner, Tune 2th.—(1) The Censorate report their decision in the ease of T8 Sheng, a Secretary in the Palace Stud Department. This official was accused of certain malversations of public money, and on conviction was cashiered, He appealed against his sentence and the case was referred to the. Court of Censors, who now, after a careful hearing, find that every count in his indict ment can be substantiated by ample evidence.—Decree confirming this decision has already appeared, (2) The Governor of Kiangsi reports a double murder that has occurred in his province, The prisoner, a blind man, called Ta Ling-jun, belongs to the district Nain-ch'ang, where he has lived by advancing small sums of money to the villagers. His next door neighbour, named Fan, was in his debt to the amount of 1,500 cash, to be repaid at some indefinite period, Some time since the two, who had always up to that time been on good terms, quarrelled about the purchase of some clothes, and the understanding between them was not improved by 'T'u demanding the repayment of his debt from Fan in the public street on which the latter snatched away the blind man's staff and broke it in two, proceeding then to knock off his hat and. run away. This insult rankled in the breast of 'u, and he determined to wipe it, out in the other's blood. For a long time no opportunity presented iteelé, At last, however, he ascertained that his enemy was going to the capital on business, whither the inn he knew that Fan frequented.
preceded hi taking up his quarters Here he provided himself with a dagger and engaged a bed on the first story. Nine or ton days after, Fan arrived and secured a bed in a room opposite the blind man's. As his room, however, was toco renin full the first night, he walked into the opposite one and lay down to sleep, 80 it happened, on the very next bed to that of "a. Waiting till the-heavy breathing of his adversary assured him that he was asleep, the blind man softly removed the counterpane with his left hand, whilst with the right he dealt him ten or more blows with the dagger, ing him in all parts of the body and him almost immediately, Roused by the groans of the dying man, one of his brothers came to his assistance and seized the murderer by the queue, on which the otter struck out wildly at him inflicting some slight wounds, till, finding he was bent on securing him, he stabbed him, fatally in the throat and escaped through the door. Subsequently, however, he delivered himself up to the authorities and made a full confession, Ho has been branded on the left cheek and sentenced, subject to the Imperial confirmation, to suuimary decapitation.—Resoript: Let the Board of Punishments deliberate at once and report. mission to Girl Duan, Govessor of Slow.
June 2Wrh.—(1) A decree granting per-
king, to come to Peking for audience. Jen Bu is to act for him during his absence.
(2) Memorial from the Governor-General at Nanking, reporting the death of the mother of Wi Yuan-ping, Governor of Kiangsu, at his official residence on the tst of June.' Phe Governor, as is usual in such cases, has lucked up his seal, and deputed the Financial Commissioner to carry on the routine duties of the post pending reference to His Majesty for permission to vacate his post and observe the usual period of mourning. "The memorialist
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.