In the middle of July, representatives of the Nationalist Government in Hankow, came to Kuling, dismissed all the Council's staff, took possession of the estate office, and set up a Special Administration of their own. Twenty of the Council's dismissed watchmen were re-engag fed by them, at reduced pay, ai put under the control of the magistrate in the Gap. Mr. Yen, the second clerk, was installed in the office, a few coolies and scavengers were engaged, and with this skeleton staff the new Administration essayed to carry on. The Commissioner for Foreign Affairs from ang, with his wife and family, oceuied the flat over the estate office, but vacated it again early in September, since which time the flat. has been closed. Mr. Yen, the clerk, also discontinued attending at his office, and eventually the whole building was closed, and the keys taken possession of by Mr, Price, on Immediately the members of the Council in Shanghai were notified of this unlawful taking over of the estate, a strong letter of protest was sent to the Consular Body Hankow, signed by the Chairman and the acting hon. secretary. Sofar as is known, any action which has been taken by the Consular Body has been without result; nothing has been done to restore the jurisdiction of the estate to its rightful owners, nor even to consult as to a lo joint handling of things. Nominally, the estate is being administered by the Chinese; actually, no administering is being done. A violent storm occurred in August and did unprecedented damage the bundings and dams in the main stream: from just above the church down to the bridge at the foot of Central Valley, all the dams have been washed away, much of the bunding has been destroyed, some of the wooden bridges were carried away bodily, and considerable damage was done to many of the roads, but the Chinese administration has made no attempt to repair any of the damage done, excepting that a few coolies were employed to patch 'a few places in the main road which had been rendered impassable. The outlook for the spring, when the heavy rains come, is distinctly disquieting, unless some repairs can be put in hand soon.
No Looting or Sabotage It should be distinctly understood by all landrenters that the Chinese action in taking over the Administration has not in the least jeopardised the holding of any private property. No attempt has been made to occupy or to use any bun-glow or other private property, and the Chinese themselves distinct: ly repudiate having any such me tentions. The watchmen are still on duty in the estate both day and night, Keeping at least a nominal watch over the houses. There has been absolutely no looting or wilful destruction of property of any kin" some houses have been entered and thefts committed, but not to a much greater extent than usually takes place each winter.
The transport service is entirely in the hands of a Chinese company, and up to the present has been managed quite efficiently. The mo-for cars to Lienhautung shows signs of advanced age, but continue to carry passengers to the foothills at $1.80 per person: from there the ascent of the hill is accomplished as heretofore, the charges for chairs, as well as for baggage, having slightly advanced, 'A violent wind-storm in October blew off a considerable piece of the auditorium roof: This was at once repaired, and the whole roof, which was in abad state, was given a cent of tar, making the whole building quite water-tight, The Library is closed, but is being well looked after. A care-taker is in charge, who keeps the rooms clean and sired. The roof, which was leaking badly, was repaired and tarred, the expense being met privately.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.