The news that the Inspector-General of Customs has allocated another Tis, 25,000 for the service of the River Police in Shanghai is very welcome. That it will meet the demands of the case as set forth' in past reports is unlikely, for what the shipping interests of the port have aimed at is the provision of several fast patrol launches equipped with powerful searchlights, so. that the harbour precincts may be under observation both day and night, and a much increased personnel. The capital expenditure involved in the provision of such boats would perforce eat up a great deal of the sum just mentioned, and running expenses would also consume a lot, leaving little for the payment of the additional personnel. Still it is a very welcome addition to the amount available for this very necessary, purpose, and as the River Police seem to have always been a body knowing how to get along on short commons, they may be trusted to make the most of their enhanced resources. We do not yet know how -the extra money is to be applied, but appar-
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