Mention was made a year ago of the beginnings of an iron mine on the southern slopes of the Haichow mountain, a concession having been granted to the Japanese. The earlier work was clearly of an exploratory nature, consisting of narrow trenches run into the hillside until a depth of 90 or 40 feet was reached. It was generally believed that these explorations were unsatisfactory and that the quantity of iron ore. discovered was insufficient to warrant large Later on, however, there was a renewal of interest and there are now about 300 coolies employed. Two large shafts have been sunk to a depth of 60 or 80 feet, the later one being three miles west of the first location. Evidently something has been found to justify further expense, for the work being done is evidently the beginning of an extensive system of mining.
Little can be said positively, but it is now believed that the iron project has been shelved and attention is being paid to other ores that have been discovered in the process. Your correspondent is a bit rusty on his metallurgy and hence is unable to say exactly what has been discovered.
The} common report among, the Chinese is that "electricity" is being mined in paying quantities! Others who have seen bicycle lamps of the familiar pattern say that it is "carbide." My guess is that it 's magnesium ore, or phosphorus.
Sprinkled on burning paper it burns readily with a greenish flame, but gives out no odour. Whatever it is, it is certainly being found in large quantities. They are, in addition to the shafts that are being sunk, digging down great quantities of the ore from the sides of the hill. and piling it up in large dumps. There are several Japanese in charge, but active operations are being conducted by Chinese foremen of the familiar type.
Tue Waxt or Raiw.
The whole country is feeling the effect of the long drought. There has been practically no rain since the last of August. nor as yet any snow of any consequence. Altogether the past year was one of moderate prosperity. The summer was free from floods and most of the wheat was planted before the dry weather made the ground too hard for ploughing. The lack of rain, however, seriously retarded the growth of reeds on which the district relies for fud. Hence fuel is higher than ever known before.
Mr. Twan, the pleasant and capable magistrate, has been transferred to Panpu.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.