The chairman, and vice-chairman of the local Chamber of Commerce have resigned. Some trouble arose between the business men and the authorities over the opium tax and the business men asked their leaders to see the matter through satisfactorily. Failing to bring about the desired result, the gentlemen have resigned to make way for men of greater ability who will be able to serve their cause with better results.
A large caravan of some thous-sand loads of opium has left for Hunan. The officer at Hungkiang will send a strong escort' along to receive it and the business men will have to wait the arrival of the escort before they can go down river. It is reported here that {fhousands of robbers are congregating at strategic points along the river and these. desperadoes are prepared to put up a big fight whom tha caravan comes along. Having had no prey for months, the robbers are keener than ever on taking the) opium for them selves.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.