(Specially translated for the Vorth-China Herald.)
8th November. cover NEWS.
Prince Ssu reports that he has inspected the newly passed military graduates, Duke Jung reports his return from the Western Tombs, EDICTS FOR RELIEF OF THE STARVING, The Prefect of Shuntien Fu has asked for a grant of rice on behalf of the Pu Chi Téang and the Tya Shan Tang.
Some time ago a grant of 300 piculs of rice each was made as a_preliminary measure to these two institutions, in consideration of the great numbers of starving people in the neighbourhood of the capital and now the Shuntien Prefect, dwelling on the approach of winter and the sufferings of the destitute, applies for the usual grant made in former years. To this request We accede and hereby order that 800 piculs of rice be distributed to the P'u Chi Tang and 300 piculs to the Tzu Shan Tang.
The Prefect of Shuntien Fu has went in a memorial with reference to the extension of soup kitchens, and asks for a grant of money and rice wherewith to carry out his proposed scheme.
In consequence of the great distress owing to floods in the metropolitan district, additional soup kitchens have been estab: lished ina great many places and grants of money and grain made to relieve the destitute. The Prefect calls attention to the fact that the number of the sufferers in the Tahsing district is unusually large, and proposes to establish two head kitchens at Chting Yun-tien and Yueh Chia-wu with altogether five branches. As the relief will have to he carried on throughout the winter and spring he fears the funds at his disposal will not suffice for the purpose. We accordingly as a mark of special favour hereby grant his request and have to direct the Board of Revenue to issue to him Ts. 2,000 and give him an order on the Granaries for 8,000 piculs of rice. Pan Ts'utao will see that the distribution thereof is properly carried out.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.