From tHe "Norti-Cmva Datty News," or Apri 8, 1878
From Hongkong:—The "Daily Press' hears that a thunderstorm passed over Canton on the night of March 27 by which a good deal of damage was done amongst the craft on the river. As the Steamship came to Hongkong several Junks were seen floating bottom upwards. The same paper says Mr Chun Ayin, who for some years ha been the chief reporter of the "China Mail," terminated his connection "with that journal on March 23, and leaves for Shanghai in a few days to join the sat of Chen Lan-pin, who is charged with the diplomatic mission to the United States, Spain, Cuba and Peru. Mr. Chun Ayin has been equally popular with the foreign community and his fellow-countrymen. He will be appointed a consul or consul-general but at is not known at what place, as the destinations of the different members of the mission are not yet fixed. In consequence of the warlike chara ter of the telegrams recently received, preliminary steps are being taken by the naval and military authorities to make provision for the defence of the Colony, and all the munitions of war have Ween carefully, surveyed. for this purpose. It is thought poss at in the event of war being declared the regiments in Hongkong and the Straits Settlements will be relieved by native Indian regiments. The "China Mail" learns that the villagers of Wongneici have petitioned the Governor to obtain a schoolmaster who is capable of teaching their children in English as well as Chinese, and as a proof of their sincerity they have proposed to pay $5 of the salary to be paid to the new teacher. A man known by the name of Mohamed Arab died in Hongkong on March 27, The "Mail" understands that his residence in the Colony dates from the cession of the Island of Her Majesty, and it was he who planted the British standard on it, being with the Expeditionary Force. He was well-known to many of the foreign community and held in no little estimation for hiş uprightness and charities. His funeral was largely attended by persons of various nationalities.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.