I ventured a forecast in my last letter that the public library and reading room projected by our enlightened General here for. the benefit of. the people of this city and district, might be the prelude for a further levy of funds on the city. This forecast has now been realized.
A few days ago-the gentry and leading men were called in for conference, when the General modestly asked for $55,000, the land tax for the 15th year of the Republic to be taken as band for that amount. So the people are to pay the third land tax in six months.
During the last few days there has been considerable movement of troops. One brigade has moved off Chengtu and some outpost units have been called in. No one seems to'know quite what is impending, though rumour is busy as usual, The movement has involved a general conscription of coolies.
Merchants, apprentices,—but chiefly farm labourers and farmers in the country have been impressed into the service and that at a very busy season for agriculturalists. Wheat, barley and mustard waiting to be gathered in and the new young rice plants asking to planted out. What a Jand! Taking advantage of this pre-occupation of the troops, a band of brigands raided, looted and partly burned down a prosperous market town 60 li from here two days ago.
Epidemics of typhus fever and" diphtheria have made their appearance, and already there have been several deaths especially from diphtheria.
Reports still come in. of distress-fai famine conditions in the hills.
starting out in a day or two on an extended tour into some, of these districts and shall be able to investigate at first hand. $1,000 from the Famine Fund has been granted for one district.
Aw officer and two men received minor injuries on board H.M.S. Cairo through the accidental discharge of one of the guns on May 8. At the time the accident occurred. the Cairo was in Hongkong harbour, and certain tests were being carried out. There happened to be a blank charge in one of the guns at the time, and by some means or another it went.off. The gun was pointing inwards, and Lieut. Graham of the Cairo, Mr. H. W. Sandford of the electrical department of the Naval Yard, and Chief Electrical Artificer Mal-unson received the force of the discharge, "which. fortunately was partially broken by the fact that another gun stood in the way. Lieut. Graham's injuries consisted principally of burns, while Mr. Sandford was injured in one eye.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.