Simco the prominence of the Kuming Tang, our Hangchow colleges and schools, both offcist and private, have been losing pupils. Parents Gians fear the effect on thei children or youth of the socialistic and insubordinate views so rife, and take them from the schools. The majority of the private schools, of which numbers have been started here, have closed, and even the government schools find it impossible to Keep the full number of pupils. A large number of pupils from the schools attended An Indignation Meeting early in November, to protest against the sale of mining rights in th.s province to'an Italian firma Some very incendiary speeches were uttered, and youthful oratory was at a premium. The life of Kao Erh-yi, the promoter of the sale, was supposed to have made a thing by it, was loudly threatened;_but I believe he is still alive and well. Whatever he did regarding mines, he did under Imperial sanction. Though it is not clear just what the transaction with the Italians was, items to have been decided at Peking, the British and Tialian Minis ters and the Waiwupu having fixed upon some arrangement for opening the mines @kiang. It is to be hoped the pupils in schools will keep out. of politics. It Schools are ¢hus far exempt from the inis matter for tulation that Mission
fluence of the Kuming Tang, etc. An interesting Course of Lectures has been arranged for in connection with the Presbyterian College. Beside several foreign and Chinese residents of Hangchow lecturers of note from neighbouring cities have been invited to speak; amon, them, Dr. A. P. Parker, Dr. 1. Richard, Di bert Reid, and the Rev. R. F. Fitch of Ningpo. ' These lectures, on subjects of general and popular interest, have been drawing large and increasing numbers.
Partition, er No?
The late news from Manchuria, and the fear of war, have caused a recrudescence of rumours regarding the future of hina. Some say that China is now w der process of partition, the slices of the melon having apportioned already by the various countries. Some say even if Japan and Russia fight, partition is now inevitable. Much uncertainty prevails as_ to the ownership of Chekiang under the supposed new regime; some saying Japan, others England.
B. M's Consul.
Your coi dent has hitherto failed to chronicle the fact that we now hi a resident British Mr. is very timely that Great Britai be represented at first hand here, in these days when the future is so very uncertain, Unfortunately Mr. King has had to take his family back to Shanghai for a time on account of the dangerous ill-nese of his. tile child, We ope they may soon return to Hangchow in ful health.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.