We learn that, after having kept. the Consul, Mr. Gregory, and Mr. Little waiting two months, the Deputies appointed to act, in the matter of drawing up regulations for the better avoidance of collisions between steamers and junks on the Upper Yangtze, have at lust started for Tebong, Sout Deputivs have been despatched from Cheng: tu by the Szechuen Viceroy and two by the Hukuang Viceroy from Wuchang.—All are expected to reach their destination before the end of the Chinese year, shortly after which it is expected that negoti will commence. The Chinese has made a nich greater affair of these collision rules than was apparently intended or expected when the drawing of them up was first ares autumn in Peki Her Majesty ster, in allowing the matter Lo be referred to Tehang, would seem ty have anticipated simply' a local arrangement to be agreed upon by. the Consul on the spot, acting with and on behalf of the owners of the Kuling, and the Local Authorities at Tehang;—such an are rangement as should provide for the experimental voyage of the steamer being carried out, with all due regard to the apprehensions which the officials on the proposed route ight be thought not unnaturally to entertain towards an enterprise of a totally novel and unprecedented character in their eye It was hoped that, thus reassured, they would hasten to give effect to the proclamations, already placarded throughout the whole route, and as instructed by the Central Government hand over the permit for the vessel to proceed on her pioneer voyage. This being successfully accom: plished, a standing list of rules could be drawn up at leisure subsequently for the permanent guidance of future navigators, As matters now stand, however, no one concerned can foresee the conclusion of the negotiations. The officials deputed are high class, come from a distance, can hardly be expected tu be familiar with details of navigation, are instructed to report upon the progress of the negotiations from time to time to their principals and can appar rently conclude nothing without their ratification, Indeed the Kuling's negotiators may reckon themselves fortunate if the are able to proceed without further bad references to Peking, and it is clear that on the whole, instead of anything being gained acted under the plausible suggestion "Leave these details to be settled by the people on the spot and the parties more immediately concerned" whole affair has, so to say, to be dise over again and the Peking authorities have simply succeeded in teuporurily shelving troublesome job which all concerned were doubtless heartily tired of discussing and only tuo glad to be rid of.
The Deputies are all officials of rank and the two leading men on each side have a high reputation for business capacity in
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.