Pakhoi, Jan, 14, Flags or no flags: to fly or not to fly: that is the question. The five-colour flag of the Republic of China is not in favouje with the Canton government. The Salt Gabelle have not flown any flag for some time past, and the question as to what to fly,.or what not to fly, must shortly be decided by another public office, 'A few days ago the Chinese authorities sent an adjutant with two soldiers with instructions to lower a certain flag.
The soldiers entered the French Government Hospital, and gave orders to lower" the flag. The French Doctor—who in also Acting Consul for France—was not at the hospital at the time, and. the Chinese present, allowed the flag to be lowered. The soldiers then proceeded to the French Consulate, with the intention of repeating the ceremony.
However the French Consul was at home, and when he learnt what was intended, called out the Consulate guard,'and gave them orders to fire should any attempt be made to lower the flag. Needless to say, such attempt was made, The Consul at once communicated with the Chinese authorities, - and it was then evident that the soldiers had misunderstood their instruetions, and gone to the wrong place Duc apologies. were forthcoming immediately." The following day 8 staff officer, specially delegated: by the Deputy for Foreign Affeirs, toother with the soldiers concerned, vided at the French Hospital, the presence of the French Consul, and of the Consular guard, under arms, saluted the flag as it was run up again as usual, Street widening is in abeyance until after Chinese New Year, The head of the Board of works wa occured of collecting funds for this work in an illegal manner, He was ed, but afterwards released. Tt ig stated that he has to complete the second half of the present road widening scheme at his own, charges.
Several steamers are now running between this port and Canton, and the other day a cargo of kerosene was discharged that came vid Hai phong. Only one steamer touches here to and from Hongkong, and we got our mails, and nows of the outside world, once a fortnight.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.