'Now that the war in the north' considered at an end, some of preparations for a long struggi) have to be modified, This province has had in hand the training of a fresh levy of 10,000 men for the front lines; these men will not be needed there, so they are now to be sent to different places in the prov-ce. Shaohsing has been inform-that it must make room for 1,600 recruits, in order that their training may be completed.
Report has it that the local official went to Hangchow to request the Provincial Government to locate the men elsewhere, as Shaohsing has no suitable quarters for such a large force. The merchants are also concerned in the matter and have suggested that the camp at Wu Fu is the best place for the force. It looks as if the action of men who don the uniform and undergo discipline, and even danger, for their country meet not with the approval that other nationals express to their defenders.
The Provincial Educational Authority has recently sent orders to the Christian Middle Schools of ths city urging them to prepare at once all forms connected with registra-ion and to send them to the proper withority, A threat is added that if this matter is not completed bo-fore the end of term, than the authorities will either take charge of the matter themselves or seal UP the school.
Our main street has undergone a great change during the summer months. Nearly all the busiest part of it has been rebuilt, and the street widened at the expense of the ropkeepers, All shops have raised an extra storey of two in order tu compensate for the loss of ground Space surrendered. Previously the intention was to use the widened street for motor traffic, Now that is deferred until next year, In the meantime cement side paths are to be laid down outside the shops. For the present the Reconstructioa Board is paying for the work, by the shopkeepers are to pay for later at an assessed price corres ponding to shop frontage. The ne' shops are a decided improvement much use yas been made of reinforced concrete for pillars anc beams, It is hoped that many of them are now fireproof, so far as danger from outside is considered. The windows are large and: well lighted, and stocked with a large amount of woollen and other attrac tive goods for the season.
The National Anti-Opiem Association held its annual meeting at the Cloth Guild this morning. Invitations were sent to all public bodies and schools. The pupils are always glad of a holiday, so went there in large numbers, The highoe schools provided Scout detachments to provide order. A good number local celebrities were called upon to address the gathering. One ts, that there is a decided order at such rallies. Sometimes it is well nigh impossible to hear the speakers unless sitting close to the platform owing to the din of noises, Again one hears of banditry in the neighbouring county of Chuki. This time a farmer in a quiet country place and comfortably situated was awakened last week by a midnight caller, asking for some medicine as he had a bad stomach ache. The farmer in all good faith opened and was surprised to find that there were six people in the party. It was too late to do anything, so the poor man was seized fat once and carried off. His sou was summoned at once by telegram from Ningpo, and is now at home devising a way to rescue his good-intentioned father. It is hoped that he will soon be successful, and that the sum extorted will be within his power to raise. fortiliser instilled in' the minds of the people by the Native Good Association, of Swatow, which is parently financed by beancake int porters. Fertiliser of the kind sold by Mr. Hanske and. his principal has definitely replaced beancake an aid to Chinese agriculture, al the beancake merchants one unnaturally suffering.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.