Those who really are anxious to xomie rain may" seek consolation the fact that China New Year now is less than a fortnight away. The International Recreation Club, after a thorough test extending over sume 1 years, have des led to cheat, the weather by holding their big meeting at Easter, but it is unlikely that sich a departure will aftees the rainfall and one may expect it fo rain as thoroughly as ever Just before ant during the China New Year holidays, People she make the reenrds do hot appear disposed to say. much regarding the statistics of Ube eut= rent drought as compared with those other times, Different. rain, gauges apparently do not always agree, Tt may be said, however, that drought in the three months at the end of the year ig not uncome that a. casual comparison shows the present one to be rather worse than any in the Fast. few years.
Note—After the above was write ten on Tuesday, rain fell, Such sites cess was not expected.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.