Committee:—Very Rev. Dean Butcher, from Japan, D.D., Rev. R. "Nelson, D.D., Rev. E.R. Barrett, Messrs. J. M. Rogerson, Cheetham, and 0, J. Bolton.
We understand that the total applications for'bonds under the new Chinese Loan have amounted to £3,700,000, of which about £1,000,000 was applied for in London, and nearly a similar: amount. in Shanghai. It was expected that it would be taken up readily, but we fancy the actual success has been greater even than the promoters anticipated, Some 5,500 bales of silk are said to have eon settled since the last mail, and it is expected that the Djemnah will probably take over 7,000 bales, including 2,500 kept over from the previous week. The improvement in the aspect of French politics, in consequence of Dufaure's succeeding in forming a Ministry is, we presume, the chief cause of this largo business. "But it is a noteworthy fact that the Chinese do not seem to have been influenced by the news, and this large business has been done without causing any material rise in the market, In fact, it was not till some 4,000 bales had been settled, that a higher rate was established, and the rise has not exceeded Tis, 5 @10 a pecul, This is a curious, and, we might almost say, unprecedented feature; the Chinese being generally keenly alive to profit by any improvement in the foreign demand, In the present instance, however, it is said, they can replace their stocks at about Tls. 20 a pecul less, in the interior; and until yesterday afternoon they were willing sellers. It is rather curious that nearly as much silk has been bought during the last four days, as during the first four months, of the present season, The necessary ground for the Steam Washing Company's premises has been purchased, in the neighbourhood of, Mr. Corner's house, on the Soochow Creek.
We learn that the refugees spoken of as on their way to Shanghai have begun to arrive, and that between two and three hundred are sheltered in an old temple at the South Gate. The authorities have with commendable promptness given them assistance, 40 case to each adult and 20 to each child. Their clothes are old and ragged, and there is no sign of beds or bedding. But if the Chinese authorities give them'as comfortable matsheds as last year and regular rations, daily, their most pressing necessities will be cared for. It is to be presumed that the present Taotai will follow the example of his predecessor.
From the Colonial Office list of 1876, we find that Mr. French has been Chief Tustice of Sierra Leone sined 1867; and administered the Government of the West Africa Settlements from August 1874 until early in 1875. Sierra Leone seems to be a stepping stone to China; two former Governors of the West Africa Settlements, namely Sir Arthur Kennedy and Mr. J. Pope Hennessy, having been translated to Hongkong. If Mr. French proves as good a Chief Justice as Sir Arthur did a Governor, we shall have reason to be grateful;—and in that hope we will not pursue the analogy further.
The Tennessee, the flag ship of the United States Naval squadron, arrived yesterday,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.