Amongst 1 list of recommendations preferred by Chang Yao in connection with the erection of dykes, at Hanchiayuan was one recommending Ch'en Ping-wen, an assistant salt comptroller, for immediate employment as a prefect with brevet rank of the Srd class. This was objected to by the Board on the ground that an officer attached to the S It department could not be recommended for advancement because of services rendered in connection with river work. The present Governor of Shantung submits that Liching and Hanchinyiian are the points where at present the Yellow River enters the sea, and the only protection against its turbulent waters is that afforded by dykes. Were these allowed to remain in a state of bad repair the very first overflow would flood the neighbouring salt drying establishments, and the supply of salt for some ten districts would be cut off at one blow. The reason why Ch'en Ping-wen was-appointed to assist at the repairs of the dykes, was the fact that the maintenance thereof very materially affected the salt department, and now that all his fellow! t'aimen. Yeh Dib-ch'ao's troops attacked workers have been rewarded it would be the settle unfair that he alone should be passed over. A precisely similar ease occurred last year in which the Board raised an objection and! memorialist would request that the same course be pursued in this instance.—Reguest granted, 8th December.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.