Amoy, July 22.
Reports of terrible depredations inflicted within the last week upon residents and about Chuanchow by the renegade bandit general, Koh Hui-hoh, are now mostly confirmed. Because of the excessive taxation and the many oppressive measures enforced by this unpopular militar-st, the people of Chuanchow istrict have organized what they call Tocal militia by which they are' attempting to take over the administration of their own government. About ten days ago his militia attacked the prison in Changchow and released several prominent izens who were political enemies; of General Koh Hui-hoh. For some days following Koh Hui-hoh end: favoured to punish those guilty of the attack upon the prison in a spirit of ruthless revenge. Every Suspect possible was arrested and summarily shot or beheaded. Several villages in which suspected leaders lived were attacked, ransacked, and burned.
So heartless and cruel was Koh Hui-hoh in pursuing his revengeful and warlike punishments that the whole populace rose' up against him. Surrounding bandits and militarists were called upon for assistance against him. A combined surprise attack upon him was made a few nights ago with a victorious result] for the militia. Koh Hui-hoh with only a few of his followers hurriedly. fled from the city. leaving behind Inrge quantities of booty recently obtained from ransacking the city and villages. grew out of a demand made several weeks ago by the local Tally Men's Union upon shipping companies for five per cent. of all out-going freight destined for points in Nanyang. In order to protect their interests, the shipping: companies involved formed a conference to fight what they considered altogether un-, copt all cargo destitied to the Sout jest demands. They refused to ac-
Seas and Strait Settlements. The amicable agreement now reached is largely dee to the continued ani closely united combination of the: shipping companies, and the strong: efforts put forth by local officials, agai Another terrible accident hapyrened when a boy of ten playing Upstairs over a shop lost his balance find fell down Into a large boiler Full of water and was scalded to death, And a gruesome find was ide by the police inthe Twin Tunnels passage beyond the rail. way, when the body of a boy of about seven years of age was found. The head was missing and as the clothing was of good quality it is feared that this is another act df brutality on the part of kidnappers Last Thursday evening, a scene was witnessed from the Wuchang: Dank of the river which fortunately not without many? parallels, "A small boat. in which' was seated one passenger W coming in towards the shore.
The boatman and his fare were having high words, possibly about the amount to be paid for the journey, possibly about hush-money. Matters suddenly reached @ climax when the Doatman dropped his oars and advanced on the fare who rose to meet him. A second later the pa: senger was hurled out of the boat into the river and the boatman rowed away into the darkness Ap fast as she could. The body of: ther passenger was carried in noay the: shore anda man waded out to try: and bring it in but he ged sit it passed Another tragedy occurred ow Saturday when a group of child von playinig.on the side.of the road vans parallel to the railway for's Tittle distance did not notice the approach of a car. knocked down and the wheels sed right over him. The Chinoge. who was driving the car at once Becelerated hhis speed and got away. The lad was ing when taken t9- the nearest hospital but doubtful whether he will recover
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.