A Police report is read on the results of the closing of the first quarter of the houses, stating how the proprietors and employes are now occupied, and how the smoking paraphernalia has been disposed of. Of the 358 houses which were closed 39 have become licensed shops for the retail sale of the drug, and, for the rest, the occupants are satisfactorily employing themselves in other trades. Nothing in this document warrants the anticipation of any difficulty ax regards similar treatment of the second quarter.
Mixed Court, House of Detention and Female Calle.
—A letter from the: Senior Consul forwards 8 communication from the Magistrate, complaining of the Police practice of making enquiries as to the inmates of these buildings. This despatch with reply as decided is ordered for publication Shaoghai, Jalyi21, 1908.
Sin,—I Have the honour to enclose herewith copy snd translation letter with enclosures from the Shanghai Taotai with regard to the inquiries made by the Municipal Police in the Mixed Court gaol, My colleagues and myself we should be very pleased to have your view on the contents of the above communication.
I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, D. Sirrext, Conaul-General for Belgium, and Senior Consul,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.