Shaohsing, Sept. 20.
This city is not accustomed have its normal life, disturbed.by anyone. This week there has been an exceptional incident, which has caused great excitement to many people. It is usual at certain lucky dates to remove coffins from their temporary resting sheds to more permanent spots on the hillside, A. few days.ago, people went to remove tone of these coffins, and found that the remains were in an. unusually good state of. preservation. and had not the marks of: being placed there about seventy years ago. Of course, the flesh had disappeared, but what, [surprised and caused the excitement was that.the many garments, such bed-covers and clothes, should il be complete and not turn into /dust when touched.
Superstitious people are naturally attracted when they hear of such thing, so crowds began to collect and inspect the novelty. These peopl something more remarkable that they had either heard or seen in. former days. After some time, the news of this affair reached the police and some men were sent along and the coffin was nailed down again, much to the disappointment of the curious-minded. The writer happened to-pass by just before and after the police visit, #0 can vouch, for the facts of the story. It gave him a good opportunity to tell the people of some of the wonders in, this line which archmologists have unearthed from the tombs of Exypt, Hint of Taxation The local authorities are now busy endeavouring to get the farmers and other holders of property to record all particulars of what they possess with the Record Office. The owners fare naturally opposed to this, as they consider it an attempt to collect more taxes, or to cause them further expense without any apparent advantage derived from it. It is well known that in many cases deeds or proofs of ownership are not as former regulations required—not to mention the requirements of the new Government. We have had inquiries from the officials as to the extent of foreign-owned property in the city, and all details connected with it. Where possible, we have given them and referred them to other authorities for, additional details. Holders, lof property in the interior realize that within a short time they will also be asked to take their share in helping to raise the funds that are meeded for Jocal improvements. This seems reasonable, so it is hoped that, when the time comes, they will be given the same privileges as. Jare accorded to us in other countries.
The summer mouths have passed without any serious outbreak of. Jepidemics. It is most encouraging {for the.future health of this large to find the sanitary authorities fauve to the problem of sanitation, and now, by precept, and, in some, sasses forcible example," bringing' about the long overdue reforms. An unusual sight is to see men wa Jabout to see that the regulations on this subject are being observed and pulling up any offenders, especially Fany caught in the act of real them,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.