Formosa," the. fimperor sanctioned the Three years ago, says the Governor of
construction of forts to be armed with heavy guns at Keelung, Tamsui, Takow and the Pescadores. In'pursuanco of this 3 arrangement, the memorialist made an agreement with the British firm of Jardine, Matheson & Ca. that they should supply thirty one steel breech-loading Armstrong guns of a new pattern. The price was Bxed at Tls, 600,000, to be paid in three instalments, and included the cost of carnages, projectiles, packing cases and freight. A contract to the above effect was signed by both parties, the memorialist being represented by the Commissary of Ordnance and the Tamsui Magistrate. The agreement was reported to the Admiralty Board at Peking; and the Chinese Minister in London was requested, through the Toungli Yamen, to have the guns inspected by one of his staff before their shipment. As it was difficult to construct a suitable landing stage at the Pescadores, a further ment was made with the contractors that for an additional sum of Tls. 5,000 they should supply two lighters which could be used in disembarking the. pieces. It has now been reported to the memorialist by the officers concerned at the different ports that between last. summer and the present spring, the cannon have all been landed by the contractors, and have been inspected, found in good condition and taken over. Payment has also been made for them on the proper dates in accordance with the agreement.—Noted.
FORTRESS IN THE PESCADORES, A memorial from the Governor of Formosa says that the Pescadore Islands are a point of the greatest importance with. regard to the defence buth of the Province of Fukien and the Island of Formosa. The memorialist visited the islands four years ago in company with the then governor General at Foochow, on which occasion the latter officer conceived idea of constructing a fortress there. This proposition was strongly supported by the gentry and common people of the islands. Alter a careful inspection, Ma-kung Harbour was selected as the site, and last autumn the General in command commenced the building of a fortress, which would connect together the various batteries. Plans of the works have already been sent to the Board of War.—Noted.
4th August.
GOVERNOR OF SHENG-CHING RETIRES, Chiing-yi, Military Governor of the Manchurian' Province of Sheng-ching, has received permission to vacate his bust on the ground of continued ill-health,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.