Shanghai, 31st July, 1902. Messers. E. Bavier & Ca., Dear Sirs,—In reply to your favour of 24th instant, I have to inform you that during the past several months there has been a considerable prevalence of disease in China, especially in the Yangtze Valley, where cholera avd other epidemic diseases have been rampant. The difficulty of finding labour is very great in consequence of the increased' mortality among the natives. Hence considerable trouble is experienced in getting through the cleaning end preparing for shipment of goods which have to undergo certain preparatory processes, such as Hides, Sesamum Seed, Goatskins and similar goods, of which the natives are afraid in epidemic seasons. Even by paying higher wages, merchants in China cannot obtain adeqtiato help. Owing to these circumstances, delays in shipment' are unavoidable, and stipulated deliveries are in many instances retarded.
Tam, Dear Sirs, Yours faithfully, R. Isous, Chairman.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.