Kuviyang, July 12.
The momentary drop in the price of rice is over, and once again foodstuffs are prohibitive in price. A little corn is coming on the market but the country people are crying out that the rice will not last. Already much of ihe rice to be gathered in the autumn is mortgaged to landowners and others. A bushel of rice now is to be repaid at harvest time by one and one-third bushels, or, in some instances, by one and one-half bushels. Although it is against the regulations, yet the people are willing to' do anything in_ the attempt. to keep "the wolf from the door.""
It is rumoured that the Governor is introducing a bill for the prohibition of opium but what will be the result of discussing it remains be seen. Alas, so many rich people are keen on opposing the bill, for their desire is to profit themselves at the expense of others.
Noi s CHITs.
Many troops are being moved about the province and are caus: ing the people much' inconvenience, Some travellers saw a_ petty officer and his retinue (?) take lunch at a wayside village. After consuming the food the question of payment arose. The coolies said they were commandeered and consequently had no money. The suldicrs were appealed to: and they complained that' they had received no payment for months. Finally the officer was approached, and he settled the matter of saying. "Let them pay you when they come this way again." Tt is only to state that neither. the officer nor men belong to Kueichow, Mail robberies are becoming of daily occurrence, and the postal authorities are to be congratulated on the way they are striving to maintain thes ec. A mail recently delivered here had been in ands of the robbers, or on the lo. for some 20 days.
A donation of $45,000 has been received here from the International. Famine—Relief Committee, Shanghai. The money is to of rice the most needy parts.
The work has to be expedited as "the time is short."
AccorpInG to the vernacular press, General Chen Kuang-yuan, Tuchun of Kiangsi, has asked Po king for permission to. retain the Customs revenue of his province as well as the taxes received from the Stamp _and the Wine Tobacco Bureaux. He intends, it is revorted, to use the money for military purposes. Chang Wen-sung, Tuchun of Anhui, has sent in a similar request.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.