The Middle Yangtze wan for many weeks and months the ho hunting-ground of numerous fof communists "and not a Imereantile oF naval, could be teer for passing by. without being sul fected to very heavy fire both from ies and: mortars." Tt is satisfies ory. to note that. the Government shaw succeeded in clearing the viv banks, although even now there are isolated' cases "of indiscriminate me.
AS' you will xend in the report under "Shipping" navigation marks wore algo removed. by" these pests the hopes of pirating stranded' vessels. "That the river. was: kept open to trafic reflects. the "utmost fered it on the various ships' officers for their courage and tenacity in overcoming all dimeuitis.
'The Navy.—I wish to take this opportunity' of placing. on. Feco four keen appreciation of the Navy's fever willingly rendered service Jour interests, not the least of which, apart from their primary object of protection, has been thely protection The Consulate—As has, become the "practice. in recent. years, ety "close liaison" has been Kent between the Consulate and this Chamber, and we wish {0° thank, Mr, Russell Brown for the assist lance and adwjce he has always been s0 willing to render. Tt is pleasant to record that his services as Consul; {General have been acknowledged by, the bestowal of the Order of Com, jer of the British Empize in" the New' Year's Honours.
Language Sehool—I regret to say that "the Language School as. a separate' entity of the Chamber's tivities "has" ab yet not Doon astarted. However, those studying [Chinese with thei? own. private teachers Rave been able to take the necessary examinations in Tankow through the very kind assistance Jot Mr, J. W. 0. Davidson of the British "Consulate, to. whom our, heartiest thanks ate due, E the Kin-Hanes Railway out. of action for the." major part of the year and banditry onthe river and inthe sur> rounding provinces, it can be wall understood that trade very! disappointing. Crops were universally reported to be excellent, but; Jowing to transport difficulties, only found their way to this centre in comparatively small quantities, and:
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.