In pursuance of an order from the Central Government, the local Chinese authorities have taken stope towards relieving the distress of the unemployed coolies in Shanghai. One of the measures proposed is the construction of carriage roads, known as maloo, in Chaokapang and other places. The work of road-making was started at Chaokaang on October 6. Early on that lay, between 600 and 700 coolies formerly employed on the wharves and at the godowns in Pootung flocked to the Office of Works there, clamouring for engagement. The Superintendent had to use persuasive and soothing language to these honest but now desperate men, before he succeeded in dismissing half their number. About 360 were kept for the work, as at the outset that number would be quite sufficient. The rest were told to wait another day or two; and they appeared rather comforted upon receiving the assurance that if work on all the roads should start at once, between 4,000 and 5,000 coolies would find employment.
The Kiangnan Arsenal.
In view of the depletion of stocks of all kinds of arms at the Arsenal, the Director has obtained sanction from the Ministry of War to resume work. But as a monthly subsidy of $30,000 only has been promised by the Government, Admiral Tseng and the Arsenal staff have been busily engaged in arriving at a decision as to what department should be given the preference, as a general resumption of work is out of the question It is now understood that the gun-manufacturing department, being the most important branch in the Arsenal, shall start operations first. This means the partial resumption of work in some other departments kindred to gun-making, such as steel, iron. and ammunition factories. The staff has to be reduced, and many old hands are greatly disappointed at having to remain idle by no fault of their own after such protracted and patient waiting.
Counterfeiters in French Concession, M. Xavier, Acting Chief of the French Police, has, upon information received, unearthed a secret den of counterfeiters in one of the houses in the Old Cemetery Road. Large numbers of forged notes on many banks, and a complete outfit of machinery were ecized. But the guilty party had got wind of the raid and decamped.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.