Chinkiang, June 4.
The spring has been so cold and wet that it has delayed harvesting operations. However, there are prospects of a good wheat crop which is now ready to be gathered in. It may be hoped that the flour mills which have been standing idle for so long may soon be able to commence business again and that the price of flour will be reduced.
Patriotic Britons residing in the port celebrated Empire Day. and King's Birthday in a right loyal manner. On the morning of Empire Day the children were invited up to the British Consulate and when the-flag was hoisted, Mr. Sly, H. M. Consul, gave them an address explaining the meaning of the flag and the meaning of the day. The King's Birthday was celebrated on Saturday. In the forenoon Mr. Sly was at home at the consulate and he wag visited by Gen. Yang, the Commissioner of Foreign Affairs, and a number of other officials, besides leading gentry of the city, who called to pay honour to his Majesty the King. After there was a reception at the Chinkiang Club. The great event of the day, however, was the children's fete in the afternoon. The compound of the Commissioner of Customs was gaily dressed in bunting and lanterns were hung about the grounds. Altogether there were about 50 children present and the adults laid themselves out to give the youngsters a good treat. There were sports, games and competi. tions of various kinds, and not least, a good tea was provided by the ladies resident in the port. The gathering broke up about 6 o'clock and each child received a present before leaving for In the evening the festive day was brought to a close by a dinner held in honour of the King.
Last week the great Tu-tien-huei, or Festival of all Heaven, was held once again. Largo numbers of people travelled to Chinkiang from all round the country and all along the Grand Canal. It is purely an idolatrous festival and thousands of dollars were spent upon it. The procession was a very long one, but it was not quite such a grand affair as those held in previous years. meeting held. recently in Hongkong it was unanimously decided to form a Hongkong (Baseball Association and a Committee consisting of Messrs:' Koch (American Baseball! Club), da Rocha (Club de Reereio), Y. Kachimura (Japanese Young Men's Association), R. Hoe—(South China) and R. M. Omar (Indian Recreation Club), was appointed! to obtain further information and report to future meeting.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.