The methods of the Chinese a thorities in conducting the affairs of the S. A. D, No: 8, or ex-British concession are now rapidly getting beyond the comprehension of the foreign mind. The change from British control was in the ordinary [way a dificult period and to the occidental it would have seemed to} have been worth while to have placed a permanent staff in charge to learn-and maintain the thread.
However this does not seem to have been done and now at a time when those interested in municipal affairs would like to know the material results of the new control it is again learned that the Director has been changed. This is the third ince March 15 when the authority officially took over. Curiously, however, although the [change appears to be common knowledge among the Chinese, and the fourth Director appears to have ready been appointed, no offi notice, we believe has been bandad to the foreign members of the Council. The last Director was Mr. HI. 0. Tong who was present and in control on July 16. That night he lett the port but whether he wanted his position temporarily or _permunently is also a mystery. There is to a°statement that Mr. Hsieh, the secretary, who is now getting into touch with the different departments, is also resigning. This is a decided pity as with the prinfeipals severing their connexion it will considerably complicate the task fof finding out just how matters really stand.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.