What is the fax? In July all householders received a notre printed in English and Chinese, forwarded through the post by the local Police office, saying that a new tax would be levied by order of the Chekiang Constabulary. Those who know Mokanshan know that we have always acted, not as individuals but as a voluntary Association. The authorities ignored the Association but the Mitter, in response to numerous requests, took up the matter and wrote to the Chief of the Provincial Constabulary at Hangchow. In reply, the Wukong Magistrate, to whom a copy of the Tetter was forwarded, sent_a very courteous note and from Hangchow a personal representative was sent. This representative addressed a letter to the officers of the Association. Two of the officers also had interviews with him and with the local Chief of Police, which interviews were courteous and in a good spirit. The views of these gentlemen were reported fully to the Directors of the Association, who gave the matter full consideration from every standpoint. The result was that a letter was sent to the Chief of Constabulary of the Province giving reasons why we could not meet their request and pay the tax. The gist of the reply was that there is no precedent for such a house tax, and that it is difficult for us to understand w such a tax should be institute for Mokanshan.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.