in a previous Memorial that he hed a August 29th.—Li Hung-chang reported pointed Liu Han-fang to Act temporarily as Customs Taotai at tsin in succession to Chou Fu, who was promoted to" be Judicial Commissioner of theprovinee. The latter reports that his son is niarried to Liu Han-fang's daughter and both officers request instructions as to whether the customary retirement ought to take place:'The Viceroy remarks that the duties of the Customs Taotai at Tientsin are of an exceptional nature. He is charged in conjunction with the military authorities with the control'of the defences and naval forces at' Taku, Pei-tang, Shan-hai Kuan, Port Arthur, Ta-lien Bay, Wei-hai-wei and other places. Liu Han-fang is an officer of long military service. who has for some years past been engaged at Port Arthur in connection with the dockyards, fortification and other works, He has also had great experience.as Director of the torpedo practice, has knowledge of foreign matters and is altogether a man of abundant capacity. The question of retirement on account of relationship is determined by the relative Positions of the officers concerned. Judges and Lieutenant-Governors exercise a certain control over Taotais and officers below that rank, and in the event of the above relationship existing between them, the lower officer would be obliged to retire. Officers connected with River works and Salt Commissioners over whom the Judges and Lieutenant Governors have no direct control, are not required to retire under circumstances. The Customs Taotai at Tientsin being directly subordinate to the Northern Superintendent of Trade, has even less connection with the local authorities than officials charged with the Salt and River administration, and it would appear therefore unnecessary that Lui Han-fang should retire. Chou Fu is at present in rage for audience and before his return, the Viceroy would wish to be furnished with the commands of the Throne on the point.—Rescript. Retirement unnecessary.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.