The inexplicable delay of the British Government in issuing the promised regulations for the payment of taxes has given rise to a double doubt in the native mind. Some, as mentioned before, are urged to believe that the British do not intend to levy the taxesatall. Others fear that the intention is to increase them. A second proclamation, explaining or acknowledging the delay, and reassuring the Rardly be supposed that an increase of people on the latter point—for it can
taxation is contemplated—would do much to set the mind of the people at rest. It may be noted here that, whereas previous to the survey of the British zone engaged in last year by the engineers, proclamations were isted informing the people of the prospective arrival of the surveying party, no such precaution was taken in the case of the neutral zone. The opp: met with by Capt. Lee and two men mig] have been obviated had the people been notified of the coming of the party and its purpose. Asit is, wild rumours are rife everywhere as to the object of the travellers.
22nd May.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.