Ca., has recently placed a contract with a Shanghai firm to supply Shaohsing with a new electric plant, at a cost of Tis, 94,000. The engine is to develop some 800 horse power and the dynamo must be able to generate sufficient electricity to feed 20,000 lamps, each of 25 candle-~ power. I understand the company has stipulated that the plant must be of British manufacture. Delivery is ito take place in April, 1922.
A complete report has now been presented to the Famine Relief Committee of al] the districts where famine conditions are said to obtain in this hsien. The reports state that 96,000 people will require relief: 7,400 houses were destroyed by floods.
Chenghsien and Chukihsien, in the Shaohsing prefecture, are both a prey to roving bands of robbers, who loot and burn and carry off people for ransom. Only 10 miles away from this big city of Shaohsing, where many rich tea merchants have their homes, robbers are plundering and burning the houses of all who refuse to pay them "danegelt."" Most of the well-to-d are removing their families and belongings to Shaohsing for safety.
The new Chamber of Commerce guildhall was opened on December 2, when all foreigners in the city were invited to meet the officials and principal merchants at tiffin.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.