The Chekiang authorities seem to have anticipated the recent mandate of the President of the Republic ordering a survey of China, Surveying parties been in Shaohsing for some months; num. erous poles to be seen placed on *he crest of high hills and other vantage grounds, together with stakes di-ven in along the roads, testify to the activity of the surveyors.
Ihave heard from a reliable authority that yet another census is to be taken—the third since the founding of the Republic! Last year the census was taken twice and, on asking the reason of the necessity of a second census, I was informed that the first was so hopelessly incorrect that a second had to be [undertaken, The second, I am afraid, was also far from accurate, for one compound, which is well known to me, had thirteen people living in it and the census officer had only recorded eight on the copy of the register which was posted on the gate.
During the past year several new taxes have been imposed. Chairs and boats have been taxed for the first time, large boats must pay 84 year. Notwithstanding this tax, the government has not expended a single dollar on either the upkeep of roads or the repair or deepening of the canals. A tax has also been levied on all new bamboo work which enters the city. Under the Manchus few articles escaped taxation but nothing, save rice and potatoes, seems to escape the Republic.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.