(3) Li Hung-chang reports the appropriation of a sum of money from the provineial treasury for the relief of sufferers from famine in the Province of Chihli. His Majesty had already sanctioned the retention at Tientsin for a similar purpose of 100,000 piculs of rice from the grain tribute (sent by sea from Kiangsu.
Hung-chang apportioned 20,000 piculs to hang apportioned 20,000 pila the Metropolitan Prefecture and" devoted the remainder to the other portions of the province. Finding this insufficient to cope with the wide-spread distress he obtained permission to apply a sum of money to the same object. He now reports that he has directed the provincial treasurer to. set apart for immediate use Tls. 80,000 from whatever funds he may have in hand. The authorities concerned have been, ordered to take the greatest care that the money is properly distributed and to establish relief works wherever it may be practicable.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.