Anxiety has been caused among Chinese" residents, especially the poorer class, over ihe continued and Papid increase of the price of rice on the local market, "Within the short period of ten days, a rise of $2 has been registered.
The cause of the increase is mainly attributed to the recent drought, which has resulted in a decrease production around Hangchow, Thing, and Wusih. Instead of sending rice to Shanghai, these districts are reported to have imported rice from other parts of the country, and, in view of the shortage, merchants in the interior are buying up rice to control the market. Many farmers likewise are holding their products to got a better price. On the top of this, the inclement weather has delayed ice-boats coming from the inter-for to Shanghai, According to a report from Chine kiang, Kiangsu also is experiencing a shortage. The Kiangsu Provincial Government recently engaged 160,000 workmen yo construct a canal leading the Huai River to the sea, and it is. reported that it requires about 370,000 Ib. of rice and 200,000 1b. of flour to feed these workmen every day. This large consumption, coupled with the effects of the recent drought, has caused the price of rice to soar daily. The authorities are understood to be taking immediate steps to remedy the situation.
Late last Wednesday it was reported here that a number of rice-boats which had been held up by the inclement weather during the past.few days had arrived in Nantao and Chapel. Further arrivals are expecta day or two.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.