Contrary to the Decree issued last autumn to discontinue the transportation of tribute rice by the Grand Canal, the Government, doubtless through the desire to continue its old conservative policy, has resolved to send the rice this year as usual vid the Canal. Only three pang or sections of the rice fleet have as yet appeared, and that six weeks later than the time when they ordinarily pass this city. It is said that there are seven pang yet to come, ing in all between 400 and 450 boats. Evidently thedisquieting news from Peking has affected the officials, for usually the boats are hurried past this city, working night and day, but for two days now no Boats have been allowed to pass the sluice.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.