The Watch Committee has met a do-putation from the local butchers' guild in reference to the recently advertised addition of 2 cents per pound to the prices of beef and mutton. The former appears to be duo to the imposition of a lekin charge on all cattle brought into the Settlement from the Tanyang district, but since it is understood that this levy has been reduced to 1,800 cash per head the corresponding increase per pound, viz., 1 cent only, is warranted; dicsctions are given that the increase be limited in this sense. Enquiries are being made as to the possibility of effecting a further reduction by the importation of live cattle by the Council direct, In regard to mutton the butchers state that the price of sheep in the Hoochow district has recently risen, and that they have been losing money on the sales of mutton during the past five months; the observations of the Market Inspector go to show that this statement is correct.
Chinese Troops in the Settlement.
A letter from the Senior Consul, dated the 8th instant, notifies the Council of the passage of 200 Chinse troops through the Settlement on that day, and it is decided to request that the Chinese Authorities' attention be drawn to the fact that earlier notice of such matters should be received, so that the Police may make the necessary traffic and other arrangements,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.