Never has rice been so dear as during the past few days, when the price has gone up to $11-20 a picul, says the Chinese Press.
A number of rice merchants had a conference and decided to sell their present rice stocks as cheaply as possible. It is said that very little rice comes from Wusieh now, but there is a fair quantity being received from Tsingpoo and other surrounding places. There is not much rice left in the godowns because a quantity of the grain has been handed over to the City Magistrate for cheap sale amongst the poor. It is, therefore, hoped that more rice will be received in Shanghai soon fu order to relieve the market and bring down the prices.
One rich man is trying to "do his bit by petitioning the Magistrate to sell cheaper rice in his village. He states that, if this is done, he will give 100 piculs from his own stock to be distributed. All expenses in connexion with the transportation of rice to' his village will be borne by the philanthropist.
On the 3rd instant, some 30 poot old women went to a certain benevolent society and begged for aid, kneeling and erying, They were told that the matter was being considered by the officials and orders had been sent to buy rice to relieve the markets.
The Taoyin and the City Magistrate have been asked not to delay the orders for rice as this is a "case of life or death." The Shanghai Self-Government _Association has telegraphed to Civil Governor Chi stating that rice is over the $11 mark and that the 10,000 workmen find it difficult to exist. Very little rice is really brought into Shanghai, while a roat deal is seen passing through hanghai on its way to other places. They ask the Governor to prolfibit its export-'The manager of a certain transportation company has been arrested for rice smuggling. ~The people are clamouring for the man's imprisonment. The Chinese papers say that Magistrate Shen has told the man that if ho does not disclose the name of the sender, ho will be held responsible and receive the punishment that he deserves.
Ousap Rice Saes-
There was a rush on Sunday at the cheap rice agencies at Great East Gate and the South Gate when cheap rice was sold to the poor people. The agencies opened at 8 am. and closed ab 4 p-m-during which time some 50 piculs were disposed of, 5 Looting has been reported in Podtung- A wheelbarrow coolie was pushing his barrow along when suddenly six or seven hooligans held him up and cut open his bags of rice. He yelled out and the robbers. made off. The case was reported to the chief of police, who ordered a general search in the huts of the paupers- In several
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.