February 19th and 20th.—(1) The Govgrnur of Honan reports that the local authorities have succeeded in closing the breach in the embankments of the Ch'in River in the District of Wu-ling in Northern Honan. As has been mentioned in an earlier Gazette, the breach was caused by the great flood which washed away the bank of the Yellow River at Cheng Chou and; inundated Honan and Anhui. The Taotai Ts'ao Ping-che, who was in charge of the works, reports that he was fortunately favoured with fine weather, and on the 8th of January last the ends of the new embankments were brought near enough together to be joined by a cable. Thereupon all hands laboured with all their might in bringing materials and closing the gap. At the same time they opened the canal which had been made to lead the water from the breach; and when the new wall was made, they rapidly strengthened it with supports and backing. In_ twenty-four hours of continuous labour the work was accomplished successfully. Another smaller opening was in like manner closed two day later. The Memorialist requests that the decoration of the peacock's feather may be bestowed on the Taotai Ts'o Ping-che. That officer only took charge of his office the day after the accident occurred, when he found an empty treasury and a terrified population. He took up his residence on the river bank amidst wind and rain, water ud ulud, superintending the work of reseuthose in danger. He bought food with his own money, and sent it on rafts to the sufferers, Then he gave his attention to the repair of the embankment, which by his good judgment and energy has been rapidly completed. The Memorialist therefore prays that the distinction above mentioned may be conferred un the Tuotai, and that the officers who assisted him may be allowed to be recommended for some reward as well. The Memorialist is about to proceed to the great breach to hurry on the collection of materials, and he_ will make a detour by the way to the Ch'in River in order officially to inspect the completed repairs.—Approved by Rescript.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.