and Senior-Consul H.M.F.M.'s Consulate General, Shanghai, 29th September, 1898, Sim,—Referring to your communication of the 17th instant and the special sub-Committee's report upon the improvement of the river approaches, it appears that in 1894 and 1895 the Chamber of Commerce and Municipal Council wore already of opinion that a River Conservancy Board should be appointed.
The question hus already been placed before the Diplomatic Body at Poking in a letter from Dr. Stuebel of the 7th of July, 1896, the receipt of which was duly acknowledged.
By Colleagues have still now the same desire as that expressed in the letter addressed to the Chamber of Commerce in 1895 by Dr. Stuebel and, on their behalf, [have the honour to request you to be good enough to formulate in more details the views of the Chamber specially regard ing:
Phe constitution of the River Conservancy The regulations to be established, and the methods to be adopted for their enforcement.
Thave the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient Servant, Joagunt Manz Taavassos Vatpez, Consul General for Portugcl and 'Senior' Consul.
E. F, Anrorp, Bsq., Chairman of the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.