The Governor of Chekiang states that the sea walls in the prefecture of Hangchow will require additional funds for their repair on account of the damage done to them by the unusually high tides. In addition to the three great stone walls, says the memorialist, there are in the said prefecture a number of other walls, fascine works and embankments, making a total of something like forty-five miles of works. For the maintenance of these there used to be an annual allowance of a tael a foot, or Tls. 230,000. Eleven years ago, on account of the want of funds the'then Governor, T'an Chung-lin, proed that the allowance be reduc to 174,000; but that year, on account the unusual violence of the wind and tide the expenditure still remained at the old figure. Four years ago the weather having been unusually calm,, and little damage done, Governor Wai brought the sum down to Tls. 142,000; but it was provided that if exceptional circumstances required a greater outlay, His Majesty might be petitioned to sanction it. The very next year there came extraordinary tides which did an immense deal of mischief; and an additional sum of Tls. 38,000 was granted. But this only sufficed for such repairs as were most imminently necessary, and less pressing needs were left for some future time. Since then the allowance has been kept at the reduced sum, with the result that the woodwork could not be renewed, and that it has become unfit to resist any unusual pressure; while the gradual growth of a sandbank on the southern shore has turned the tide, so that the north bank is exposed to a greater force of water than formerly. Finally on the 9th of September and two following days there occurred a typhoon, which increased the height of the tide and caused a great deal of damage. If steps be not taken at once to put everything into proper state, there is. no telling what irremediable harm may be done at some unexpected moment. The peril will be greatest next spring when both the tides and the river waters are high. The fixed allow: ance is not sufficient for the necessary works and the memorialist is obliged. to ask for more. He thinks that the appropriation fixed by T'an Chung-lin is a fair one; and he would ask that from this year he may increase the allowance by Ts. 32,000, thus again bringing it up to Tls. 174,000. As to the provision of the extra sum, he remarks that, if the silk trade continues to flourish, the likin on that article may be calculated to bring in about $110,000, or $120,000 per annum j and from this source the money can be provided, Approved.
19th December.
OFFICIALS PUNISHED, chang the Emperor cashiers or degrades At the request of the Viceroy Li Hung. several magistrates holding posts in the Province of Chihli, One of them had allowed his servants to manage his official business for him, therely giving rise to grave scandals, the others were of indifferent character, stupid, or weak mentally and bodily.
REWARD FOR A MUNIFICENT GIFT, Acsum of ten thousand taels has: been contributed to the Chibli Relief Fund by a Licentiate named Liu Kuo-kuei belonging to Huangkang in Hupeh. In offering this gift the donor states that he does not desire task for any reward. The Viceroy finds that Liu Kuo-kuei is a son of general Liu Wei-chen, who not only sew a great deal of active service, but also was noted for the liberality which he showed on more than one occasion. In spite of the wish expressed by Liu Kuo-kuei, the Viceroy thinks that he ought to call the emperor's attention to so splendid a donation. It is permitted by the regulations that a licentiate who makes
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.