According to Chinese information a number of Chinese business people in the foreign settlement, north of Hongkew, following the example of the Chinese residents in that portion, called together different shop people and drew up a joint petition to Viceroy Chang Jen-chuo, praying him and the Taotai to use their influence with landlords to try to bring about a redaction of rents for Chinese houses. They asked the representatives of the Hongkew residenta to the meeting and learned from them about their audience with the Vicergy and the rescript from His Excellency, which was read to the gathering, and much gratification wae shown. The new petition was present ed at the Buresn of Foreign Affairs on Toeeday, and the Viceroy received a fow representatives and ordered them to await the result of his conference with the Chamber of Commerce,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.