Within the past two weeks widespread rainfall has continued to saturate the countryside with disastrous results to the motor traffic on both sides of the river. The river bed itself in the neighbourhood of the city, covers an area of approximately three li wide over which sandy waste old man river is at liberty to roll or twist as he pleases, Usually he discharges the main bulk of water through the main channel with a few playful streams here and there designed for the inconvenience of travellers but this time, by dividing up into two main channels he has played a scurvy trick. They are very deep, separated from each other some considerable distance and each is surrounded by a number of smaller streams, The river is difficult to wade at any time but after such changes it is impossible—the current is wicked.
According to reports, one driver on the south of the river attempted to cross a small stream but became stuck in the middle and his machine was half-submerged.
Realizing the seriousness of the position he immediately applied for assistance. Shouting "Sixty coolies at $1 per head" he thought to solve the problem on the spot. The coolies however were reluctant to teke his money, they wanted $120 for the job independent of the number of men used, so the bus stayed in the river till more reliable assistance was forthcoming several days later,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.