The Governor of Shantung reports the closing of the breach in the embankment of the Yellow River at Hsichihfang in Li-cheng Hsien, These operations were taken in hand immediately after the suocessful issue of those in the Changch'iu District a little further down the river. They were entrusted to the care of a Taotai named Chang Shang-ta, who worked under the immediate supervision of the Governor. As the ground was somewhat low and the opening was situated at a bend in the river, it was from the very beginning found necessary to proceed with caution, As the gap narrowed the scouring increased, the stream ran with more violence, and the bank frequently subsided or fell in. The peril was great; but it was successfully overcome by Chang Shang-ta and his staff, who worked steadily and dauntlessly amid the winter snows, repairing accidents and strengthening and widening the structure. By the 17th of December the gap was reduced to a width of one hundred and sixty feet. By this time the increasing impetuosity of the current rendered the work doubly difficult. A side embankment was constructed, the breakwater up stream was lengthened, and the work continued steadily. Toiling day and night the engineers carried forward the embankment for three stages without resting. On the 28th of December there only remained sixty feet to be done. But the water was now pressing on the rear of the work, which was eaten away by the boiling eddies, The same tactics as before were railway trucks and "earth-boxes being employed, soil also being brought up in the piled up. On the29thahawser was stretche across the chasm, and the channel for drawing off the water was opened. Materials were thrown in from both embankments, the work went on without any ceasing, and on the Slst the task was entirely completed. After mentioning that this successful result had been achieved at 8 comparatively small cost, and dilating upon the hardships and perils undergone by the officials in charge ofthe works, the memorialist expresses a hope that' His Majesty will allow these officers, aa well as those employed at the Changch'iu breach, to receive the rewards accorded in cases where exceptional merit has been displayed.—Decree issued previously.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.