'The talk of a railway from the 'Kiang-tou' or river bank south of Hangchow to the Settlement, is periodically renewed. A Mr. Li of Ningpo some time ago memorialised those in authority proposing such a road. Recently the Bureau of Commerce has called on ELE. Futar Nieh, to report on the progress of the scheme; hence Mr. Li is expected to perfect his' plans as rapid.y as possible, Silver Currency.
Of late silver dollars have been very searce in Hangchow. The banks have been using drafts and cheques whenever possible; and dollars are hard to get. Some say it is because of the news from the North; and it is a fact that many persons cre gathering in their money and valuables to secure them. Doubtless the same causes which influence the money market in Shanghai are, felt immediately in Hangchow. Trade is likely to be very dull during the remainder of the Chinese year.
Fires.
The portion of the great street which was burned recently has Leen mostly rebuilt. Extra walls have by official order been built at intervals of ten chien; and the houses were also built back a lit tle, so as to widen the street. The Drum Tower, which was burned the year before last, has not yet been rebuilt. Some of the gentry would like to see it rebuilt after foreign style others say that as it conserves the féngshui of the city, it must be Chinese. Possibly it may be built half foreign, half Chinese. "As a landmark it has interest; but the waste of money in rebuilding a preserver of the defunct féngshui "should appeal to 60 practical a people as the Chinese.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.