Chinkiang, Dec. 30.
This part of the country has been enjoying some fine weather all through the month so that the wheat and winter crops are in excellent condition. The farmers in and around the Antung district have been busy gathering in potatoes which are to be sent on to the famine sufferers. Ten years ago these Antung people were in the grip of a severe famine, and now that during recent years they have gathered in good harvests, they are in a position to help their brethren in distress. The construction of the proposed motor road from Chinkiang to Tsingkiangpu is being delayed owing to the old time prejudice against new innovations.
The railway authorities are showing enterprise at this station. A much needed large goods shed has been erected, and a large wide island platform for the up trains to stop at has been provided. The station offices are not nearly adequate for the amount of business done, and there is often a great crush at the ticket offices just prior to a train taking its departure.
There were quite a number of Christmas festivities held this year. On Thursday the Rev. W.
robbins from Shanghai came and conducted a church service in the Masonic Hall which was well attended by the community. In the afternoon, Mrs. Clennel treated the foreign children of the port to a Christmas tree. The children had a good time of fun and frolic, and afterwards Father Christmas appeared on the scene and presented each child with a present from the tree. On Christmas day a community service was held in the Union Church and was well attended. On Boxing Day evening the ladies of the port entertained the men from the H. M. S. Scarab to a supper and entertainment. Then on Wednesday evening a concert company from the gunboat invited the community te an entertainment which was held at the residence of Mr. Burton.
The water in the river is now low and the long sandspit is much in evidence. It is not now possible for steamers to come up to the Bund, but the hulks are anchored some distance out from the shore and they have to be reached by launch or sampan.
The British Municipal Council has removed to more convenient offices down in the concession, and the old premises have been taken down.
Tur "Religiao e Patria" reports that a woman of Macao celebrated her 100th birthday last month and adds that this is a very rare occurrence in the East.—In most cases it only happens once in a lifetime.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.