A big flood is practically an annual event down here and surprises no one. They vary in their severity.
Even the "oldest inkiabitant" reckons the one that visited us front September 14 to 16 a very nasty one. Fortunately no lives were lost, as far as I can ascertain, but for nearly the whole town to be under water for 48 hours to the depth of two or three feet, four or five fect in some places, and water of a dirt sihelly character, is seriotis enough:
There is no possible way of keering the flood waters out of the city. A stranger secing the waters pouring through the West gate at a depth of ten feet as I have seen and running down the streets, might suggest that the give be built-up, and a road made over the wall, This would be a quite useless measure for keeping out the water, As.the river rises, the waiter in the city wells and creeks rises with it. The ground is £0 porous that the water readily sonks through it, and tue water within the city rises and fails in conjunction with the river water outside the walls.
As a rule the river carries the surplus water away in a tide or two after the cessation of rain, but it Teaves an awful mess behind tt, and generally a few walls that have collapsed.
Dangers of The worst real damage is done in the fields on the other side -of the river. It is low-lying land and when the flood is severe, is left with a deposit of sand over quite fan extensive area, which in some places permanently destroys the value of the land. This year great damage was done to the late rice and other crops. It means @ very serious loss to the cultivator, who generally is an industrious worker with very little capital. A few years ago a flood of so severe 1 character devastated the country, that considerable help had to be Provided by the Famine Relief Society. Whether of no relief w: ll be sought this year from outside do not know. One Chinese gentieman, ith whom I discussed the] matter, gave it as his opinion that modified famine conditions might prevail for a tim
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