The frequent reports of deaths! during fires in Chinese houses in the crowded areas of Shanghai reinforce] the remarks made by the Commis: sioner of Public Works of the SMC. in his report, extracts from which are published to-day. One of the most' difficult problems his depart-Jment has to face is the disregard of municipal regulations as to altera-Hons in buildings. It appears to him that, in many cases, the landlords are either ignorant of the alterations, or Indifferent or powerless to act to prevent them. "At the root of the matter, he says, is the serious overcrowding in houses down alleyways, which as been accentuated every }time there has been any trouble in Shanghai. So long as there is a demand for accommodation of whatever sort i he safe boundaries of the International Settlement, so long will there be a. temptation to tenants. to alter their buildings to meet it, And
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.