The snow has come much earlier than usual this winter. The first fall came a week azo, and was fairly heavy but soon disappeared. Now, after a fow days of excep: tionally mild weather, a much heavier fall of snow hag come and with it the first cold spell of winter has set in, There must be a great deal of suitoring amongst the poor, especially in a year of famine conditions.
Every winter a large number of destitute folk from further north come down by the Kin Han railway to pick up what they can get in this. wealthy centre. They add to the swarms of beggars upon the Maloo in Hankow and on the streets of the native city. This year, the numbers of these poor wanderers have been exceptionally large. A batch of 200 arrived on Christmas Day, clothed in rags and with alli their worldly property carried in their bundles. Most of these are taken by the police to the Benevolent Association's Asylum, where they are given food and a' night's lodging, and then on the next day they receive a free pass on the railway to conduct them elsewhere.
The joint Chinese and foreign.
Committee is doing its best to cope with the conditions of the province. It is said that over $1,000,000 has already been raised, Cheng Shih, the pi arrange for the division of the fund, and for its early despatch to the various counties in Hupeh where the need is greatest. It is in work of this kind that national animosities are {nid aside, and both Chinese and foreigners are able to unite in common task of mercy. Unfortunately, the Jittle than can be done: is inadequate to supply the great need, and many poor souls will have to perish of starvation before this winter is over.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.