May 28th.—(1) A decree. Let the newly-elected provincial graduates undergo the Palace examination on the 28th day of the present moon (5th June), at the Pao Ho (2) Memorial from Feng Yii-chi, Governor of Shansi, suggesting the removal from his st of Lin Shih-pan, Prefect of Hsi Ngan 'u, whose great age and impaired intellect incapacitate him for holding so important a post.—Rescript: Noted.
'3) FuChén-pang, Provincial Commander-in-Chief of Hupeh, recently transferred to that post from Chihli, reports taking over the seals of office on the 11th of the 3rd moon (19th April.)
(4) Hu Yi-than, Provincial Judge of Ngan Hwei, and recently appointed Provincial Treasurer officiating for the same province, reports taking over the seals of the latter ofice on the 17th instant.
3) Ch'éng Yun, Acting Provincial Judge of Nyon Hwei, reports taking over the seals on the 18th instant.
May 20th.—(1) The monthly list of minor civil appointments is published in this day's iso.
A decree noti that, owing to the insufficiency of the rain that has fallen, the Emperor will proceed in person to pray for rain at the Ta Kao Tien on the 23rd of the moon (lst May). High officers are appointed to visit other Imperial temples for the same purpose.
(8) Memorial from Chou He Governor of Shantuny, reporting Chen Jue chi, District Mayistrate of Fu Shan Hsien, Jao Tseng-pa, District Mayistrate of Lin Yii Hsien, and Chang ''i-chien, District Magistrate of Kwan Ch'ény Hsien, for peculation in office and inability to account for moneys for which they are responsible. He requests that, these offi may be deprived of their rauk and their property sequestrated,—Rescript: Noted.
(4) Memorial from Nyéu Cheng, Commandant of the Peking Gendarmerie, reporting the following appeal case, The appellant, Wang Ch'tian-kun, is a native of Hsing Kivi in Hupeh. It appears that his cousin Wang Ch'tian-shen induced a name is Ch'én, to borrow from appellant's wife, nee Tsing, her tinger-ring and other articles, and perstiaded her to bring the things over to her, Ch'én's house. Wang Ch'iian-shen had in the meantime concealed himself in the woman Ch'én's bed, and when Hsiao was about to leave, he caught hold of her and made improper overtures to her. Hsiao refused to accede to his desire, so he gave out that he had accomplished his object, that appellants widowed mother, Chu, was aware of it, and that he had the woman's ring and other articles in proof ut their amours. Appellant's mother at once took Hsiao to Wang Ch'én's house, and demanded the restoration of the things, and as they were not returned, she and lier daughter-in-law hanged themselves on the spot. The daughter-in-law was rescued before life was extinct, but Chu, the mother, died. After this, the appellant, with his uncle, Wang Pin, reported the case at the yamen, but it was suppressed by the underlings, and Wang Pin was thrown into prison, where he eventually died. Wang Ch'tian-k''un then laid his case severally before the Prefect, Provincial Judge, and Governor, but it was sent back each time to the Magistrate's Court, and, as he continued to seek redress, he was also imprisoned and has not yet been released. Things having arrived "at this crisis, he sent a proxy to Peking to appeal. The memorialist begs to submit that this is a case of indecent assault upon a woman, and of suppression of facts by the Court, resulting in the death of two people.
the statements of the petitioner are true, it is certainly a matter that should be investigated without delay. The documents are handed in with the memorial, and the Imperial commands are humbly waited for. As is usual in such cases, the bond of the proxy has been taken to the effect that appeal has already been made to the Prefect, Provincial Judye, and Governor of the Province.—Referred in the usual manner.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.