Pakhoi, Jan. 15.
The history of the last month may be summarized as a struggle on the part of the two "kings" of the district to raise sufficient money to keep their soldiers more or less contented. Both Wong Chi-oon and Wong Ming-tong are in Canton at the present moment for that purpose. A collision between the soldiers of these two generals occurred at Lingshan. After two days sharp fighting, and leaving a total of 400 killed, both parties agreed to stop the quarrel, and to resume the status quo. Meantime heavy taxation is being levied throughout the district. One general has imposed a tax of one-tenth the rental value of all houses and business premises. Wealthy men are also being taxed'? in a \Way that obtained great favour under the Manchu réyime. Usually one of the sons is arrested on a trumped-up charge, and only on payment of a good round sum can this release be secured. The people in the villages and country generally have suffered much in the past, but now they are being systematieally robbed to a greater degree than ever. There are always local -rascals to be found, who, for consideration, show the soldiers where most profit is to be obtained.
Four days ago the important -market town of Onpo was looted by the soldiers in charge. This is the third time within the past two years that this town has so suffer-
Sarr ApMINisTRATION TROUBLES, The Salt Administration here has been approached from time to time with a view to advancing money, but Mr. Chung Yam-tong, the Assistant Districtelnspector, has consistently refused all such applications. For a time a curious state of affairs existed at the branch office in Liemchow. General Wong Ming-tong placed his own appointee in charge (along with a detachment of soldiers to confirm the appointment), and then the representative of the Salt Revenue applied for eave to Canton. Mr. Chung telegraphed to Canton about the} matter, but the despatch of the wi is said to have been delayed order of General Wong. A despatch was forwarded by posi, and the reply to this was altered in favour of General Wong's man. was not until after some time that the matter was finally adjusted by the arrival of a properly appointed officer from Canton.
Messrs. Melbye and Wailer of ihe Asiatic Petroleum Ca. have been in the district during the past fe weeks on the business of the com>
The Deputy for Foreign Affairs left recently for Hongkong. He has been without pay for the last three months, and the latest
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.