(2) The Viceroy of Nanking announces the departure of the boats conveying the tribute rice for last winter from the portion of Kiangsu North of the Yangtse, which rice is now ordered to be sent to Tientsin by the Grand Canal i quantity forwarded is Amount fixed by regulation, 125,142 piculs odd; seven per cent. additional, 8,759 piculs odd; four per cent. for food and waste, 5,356 piculs odd total, 139,258 piculs odd. The collection and weighing in of the rice commenced on the 24th of December, and the boats were despatched on their journey in two divisions, which started on the 29th of March and the Ist of April respectively. The officers concerned are entitled to credit, their task being rendered more difficult than usual by the fact that additional boats are required this year for the conveyance by the Canal of 100,000 piculs of rice from the districts South of the Yan; Moreover the owners of boats are little inclined to let them be hired, as they much fear the voyage to Tientsin on account of the frequent want of water in the Canal and the difficulty of crossing the Yellow River.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.