Superintendent of the Lnperial Grauaries, representing the istactory condition of the tribute rice from tine to time brought up from Kiangsu and Che-chiang by the " Cisina Merchants' Steamship Company." The Company at present convey (yearly) from these two provinces no less than 400,000 piculs, a regular proportion of which is found on delivery to be more or less damaged. There is an official of the rank of Taotai deputed to superintendent the unloading of the grain, but he does not necessarily reside at Tientsin and cannot be always depended on. Memorialist suggests that the Company be called upon to appoint a Taotai who shall reside permanently at Tientsin, for the express purpose
instalment arrivés.—Granted by decree f examining the ipality of the rice as each carlier issued.
(2) The Governor of execution of two cum murder, Wu Yin-ch master of a boat Hu, and Lu A-yung, id t his boxes were very heavy, they cond the idea of murdering him and making off with the plunder. They accordingly pushed him overboard and left him todrown. On arriving at their destination they gave out that their fare had lost his life in an affray with pirates.
uiuation however succeeded in the troth to light, and memorialist ordered their instant decapitation and the exposure of their heads in the vi the scone of their crime.—Res:
August 20ch,—(Court Circular.) Po-chuan, the new Governor of Shu: had audience.
(1) A decree calling upon Li Chung-tang to collect from any available source and remit to the Board of War Tls. 22,800, owing on account of arrears of Crown land rents, The money is required to purchase horses and carts for the forthcoming Liinperial funeral, and must positively reach Peking during the course of the present tot the Tin. series of sume outstandit ow, who now reports to the Throne the settlement of wg accounts due from his tendent of Trade. establishment. The Superintendent is entitled by law to draw from the provincial chest an annual subsidy of Tle. 30,000. In 1879 the establishment, having a surplus of Tls. 14,400 odd, advanced it as a loan to the Financial Commissioner who was at the time in some embarrassment from want of funds. This sum has now been repaid, and memorialist has remitted the amounting bills to the Office of the Imperial Household. He has also despatched the remainder of an order for silks and satins which has been outstanding since 1877.—Rescript Noted.
(8) Jen Lan-sheng, in charge of the Customs at Feng-yang (in Anhui), reports. the remission to the Office of the Imperial Household of is. 4,540 due on various small accounts from his establishment.
(4) The same officer announces that during the year ended May, 1881, the Customs receipts at Feng-yang amount to Pls. 47,200. "This sum, although it falls far short of the amount at which his establishments assessed, viz., Tls. 107,159, compares favourably with the receipts of former years. The province was so long under the occupation of the rebels that trade now revives but slowly, and it is absolutely impossible to collect the sum required, August 2Ist,—(Court Circular.) Cheng Teao-ju, the new Minister to America, had audience on his departure for his post.
(1) Memorial from the Censor Shao Chich'eug péaying that Wang Ch'ing-chun (on of Wang Wen-shao, Member of the Grand Council and Minister of the Tsung-Yamen) may be relieved of his duties as a Secretary at the Board of Works, Memorialist observes that for many years past, of all the officers sent forward by the Board of Civil Ottice to serve their three years of probation at the various Boards, hot one has been returned on the expiry of the term as unfit for substantive omployment, The inference is either that through ack of due scrutiny the capacity of the candidates is too highly appraised, or that considerations of relationship or favouritism, determine the list of recommendations to the Throne. The subject of the case under notice indeed has not even completed the three years term of pro bation, when he is thus charged with duties of a most responsible nature. The object of his father is no doubt to give him practical insight into the conduct of public affairs, and afterwards to rely upon his personal influence for securing him a permanent appointment. This method of obtaining advancement, if largely practised would be, without doubt, detrimental to the public service, Apart from this, memorialist hears that the bearing of Wang Ch'ing-chun whilst on probation at the Board has not shown him to been in any way titted for the important duties now assigned him, The prospects of the father too will be affected by any shortcomings on the part of the son, and memorialist begs that out of regard to Wang Wen-shao the recent appointment of his son may
it ned.
cancelled.—Grauted by decree vatlioe (2) Memorial from Ch'i Yuan, Military Governor of Feng-tien, announcing that he has instructed ten officers and men belonging to the Peking Field Force, and at present stationed at Feng-tien, to return to Pekiny. They form part of the brigade which was some time since, on the recommendation of Ch'ung Hou, sent up to assist in the drilling and organisation of the forces at Feng-yien. The objects for which they were sent have been now attained, and memorialist begs that the usual rewards may be bestowed on them.—Reseript: Let it be as requested. nd.—() A decree. Let Liu ral of the Liang ud have audience Let Peng Yii-lin act in his stead "8 Governor-General and Miniater Superin-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.