The Governor-General of the Shen-kan ravinees and the Liter Chancellor of tion to an increase in the number of degrees ssu, in a joint memorial apply for sauce to be competed for by the scholars of the districts of Hsining and Tat'ung. The literati and gentry of these two districts have represented that the number of degrees now allotted is too small, considering the improved state of education, and suggest an increase of four degrees for Hsining and two for Tat'ung. It appears that the number of degrees allotted to the Hsining district, which includes the two sub-prefectures of Tankeerh and Payenjung ko is only 8 altogether, whilst the candidates number over 400. Tu Tat'ung there are only 2 degrees to be competed for among 80 or 90 students, that being the number of degrees originally assigned to the district in the reign of Chtien Lung, when the spread of education had only just begun. These numbers seem very unfair comparison with those of the subprefectures of Hsiinhua and Kueité each of which places is allowed 4 degrees, though never producing more than about 20 candidates. At the recent examinations held by the Literary Chancellor at Hsining fu, a considerable number of candidates "from the Hsining and Tat'ung districts, whose essays were admirable productions, had to be rejected solely on account of the limited number allowed to be passed. There are therefore good grounds for the request now preferré the literati, but as the number of di a is fixed by regulation, there are also difficulties in the way of making any alteration. After mature consideration the followin; solution of the question has presenta itself to memorialists. The two districts of Ninghsia and Ningso in the prefecture of Ninghsia have each 17 degrees allotted to them, whilst Anus and Kuyiian have 12 each. These districts have never recovered from the effects of the rebellion and so few candidates present themselves for examination that the numbers passed are invariably below the prescribed limit. Memorialists would therefore propose that 2 of the 17 degrees hi-thereto allotted to each of the districts of Ninghsia and Ningso should be given to Hsining, making an increase of 4 for the latter district, and that of the 12 degrees allowed to Anhua and Kuyiian, one should be taken from each and allotted to Tat'ung. By this arrangement the total number of degrees allowed for the province will remain unaltered, whilst the cause of education will benefit by the increased incentives to study thereby afforded.—Referied to the Board of Ceremonies.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.