The Viceroy of the Shen-Kan provinces reports a series of minor calamities which have befallen certain districts within his jurisdiction. He prefaces his account by Stating that, the rainfall was very evenly distributed in Kansu last summer und that very good harvest has on the whole been secured. To this, however, there are not a few exceptions.' In eight departments and districts heavy hailatorms destroyed the standing grain just as it was ripening for the harvest, and the condition of the people has necessitated the adoption of measures of relief. In_ the Tingan district an earthquake made chasm ina mountain valley which swallowed up a large number of cattle and engulfed several households. Floods caused great damage to the crops in the Shantan district, the walls of the town of that name being demolished and three people swept away by the waters.
Tu the Wen Hsien district 280 chien of buildings were levelled to the ground and thirty-two people, besides a great number of cattle, were drowned by a mountain torrent which rushed down into the plain and carried all before it. The sufferers are being supplied with seed corn and are to be assisted generally in their efforts to recover their former position.
17th November.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.