Now the most recent gratifying evidence of progress in this city is the establishment of a branch of the Imperial Pust Office. Mr. W. A. Washbrook, of the Customs ico, Chinkiang, paid a visit to Tsingngpit the middle of December Last, rented suitable hou-e, and was courteously received by the Taotai and magistrate who iswed proclamations at his requ he office was opened and the whole matter managed well, without any hitch or unpleasantness, -—a thing not easy to do, as the native post offices were all required to report and register at the "foreign" office. The Favingleo tactful, obliging sod efficient a estal service is to be congratulated on
representative asthe gentleman who has charge of this business. Having letters and the "North-China Daily News delivered to one at the breakfast table is a luxury indeed! We are making rapid strides hero, we are, and now what is wanted is a branch office of the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank, for our banking facilities are simply atrocious, The business men are either 0 suspicious, or so slow to catch on, that one cannot get a Shanghai cheque cashed, though foreigners: have resided more than ten years here and their credit is good, and scores of business houses buy in Shanghai and have to pay a big price, comparatively, for their drafts, Foreigners cheques north of this place sell at a premium but here they are "no go."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.