Rice has advanced in price $2 per picul during the six weeks. Local Jerops have been good and the rise in price is ascribed to the poor crops In neighbouring sections of the pro-
'At the present time Taichow is Ing visited by daily showers. In fact the country is getting more rain than is needed. 'These is plenty of water in the canals, and launch travel would beat its' best but for the people who operate the launches. 'These individuals (one almost calls them bandits) have grown tired of cutting each others' throats and have agreed on a plan to cut the throats fof the general travelling public. Five companies now operate launches between Chinkiang and Taichow, but they run only one launch each way per day. By this system they can [make their own charges.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.