Floods that Rose to 14 ft. Depth over the Rice Fields The following reports, prepared by a foreign gentleman resident at Yuyao, Chekiang, for the Ningpo Famine Relief Committee, is typical of the distress caused along the Chekiang coast by recent typhoons and floods.
Yuyao, Oct. 10.
A conference with the Shangyu Magistrate has brought out the following facts bearing on the present situation resulting from the recent floods, and giving an idea of the amount of relief work that will ba needed in the hsien this winter. duced the amount fully one half and perhaps more. The n rice fields of the valley were under water several days during each of the two floods, and a large proportion of the crop was spoiled.
The magistrate has reports from the affected districts showing that there are 25,739 people who are altogether dependent on relief, funds to live through the winter in their utter destitution, and another 30,431 who will require partial support.
The plan is to use as many as possible in rebuilding the dykes and roads during he winter months; and import wheat, maize and other cheaper food stuffs which' will be Handled in special depots under official supervision.
Fortunately there is a very good and experienced relief committee in Tsongkébu which is ready to, begin dyke repair work at once; and as this district contains about four fifths of the most destitute people, the way is open for relief work to begin at once: which is all the more important in view of the approach. ing cold.
Fortunately the—International Famine Relief Committee in Ningpo has a limited amount in hand and an initial payment will be made just as soon as the organization of the local committee in Shangyu is completed. 2 But in an undertaking of this magnitude, it is absolutely essential that there be no stopping of work, once it is begun, as such a course will prove disastrous. It is for that reason the Ningpo committee is so desirous of assurance from tha Government and other responsible sources that they will not be left without funds to carry on the relief work it begins. 3 Fortunately the Government still has a large portion of the money collected last year in surtaxes, 20 there is every reason to expect this to.be applied to the relief of tha present famine.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.