Ichang, Jan. 16.
Like many other parts of the country klebang and district is suffer-i from the effects of prolonged drought. No rain to speak of has fallen since the month of August, 1922, and only those who live near the river have been able to do anything in the way of cultivating their fields. The ground is hard as iron and in many places no seed has been sown, and in those places where it has been sown, it is languishing for lack of moisture. So serious has the outlook become that fasts have been proclaimed, and no meat, fish, chicken or eggs can be obtained. Two days ago tho-clouds were heavy with moisture, a little of which fell on the thirsty ground, but appearances proved to be deceptive for the clouds rolled by and now the sky is as clear as before, and no signs of rain. Multitudes are daily thronging the tem-vies praying for the much-needed showers, but so far the gods seem deaf to all entreaties. In conversa. tion with a reliable native, your correspondent was informed that a company who had proceeded to Long Mang Teng (Dragonrfly temple) to offer prayers for rain, had returned with the answer that there would be no rain until the third month of the Chinese New Year.
UPPER YANGTZE NAVIGATION, Steamers still continue to ply between here and Chungking, but as the river is very low, fears are entertained that the service will have to be suspended for a time. However, og long as conditions permit, steamers will continue in the hope that they will be able to demonstrate the practicability of overcoming the roaring torrents of the various rapids at low water. This winter trafli¢ hag not, however, been carried on without opposition from the junk guilds. While it is true that the Szechuanese junk guild came to a satisfactory understanding with the various steamer companies through the instrumentality of the River Inspector, yet the Hupeh guild would not come into line and now they are busy timidating the pilots in the hope of holding up the various ships.
Taken all over we are living in peaceful times and it is to be hoped that under the rule of Nang Si-ling, whic has come from Shasi to replace Sun Chuan-fang, conditions will continue to be tranquil.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.