River requests permission to spend Ts. 1,300 in constructing a dam to raise the water in the Wei-shan Lake, which is the
a long stretch of the Grand Canal in Shan-Principal source of the water supply for tung and Kiangsu. It is the rule that the water in this lake should be made to rise to the height of fifteen feet, and in years when there there is not a heavy rainfall it is the custom to build adam to intercept the flow. This was done last year, and consequently the grain fleet was enabled to effect its passage successfully during the present summer. The dam can be constructed and sufficient water headed up before the return of the empty grain boa from the North, so that their transit will not be impeded. The Memorialist will send information of what is being done to the high authorities of the neighbouring. provinces, in order that they may give direetions that boats travelling on public service shall make a circuit instead of trying to pass the place where the dam is being constructed. The public will also be notified by the posting of proclamations. The Memoria-
{list states also that he is in consultation with the Directors-General of the Grain Temmsport as to whether it, would be advisable to construct an additional reservoir for storing water somewhere in Kiangsu, or to take means for improving the present system so as to prevent all loss of the water collected and make it sutlicient for the wants of the canal.—Approved by Rescript.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.