Linghai citizens are to-day' much concerned over a daring robbery which took place last night." When the small steam launch which nightly plies between Haimen and Ling-hal was some 30 Mi away on its Journey here at about 2 am. four robbers boarded it from a small boat, and forced those steering to go into the shore where another four of the bandit party were wait-
Meantime the srmea gusrd_composed of ten soldiers each provided With a fife and a Mauser revolver, oth peat presence of mind thew lown their weapons and made good their escape, without having fired. a shot, though' the robbers fred twice. The rifles and revolvers were taken off with all the cargo on the boat, Including some bags of four, while the auenges were, searched "and relieved of all their "money and "The Tatinch had by this time been taken toa lonely place where only hills could be seen, and it waa at this place that all" the booty was taken ashore, while the terrified pas [sengers were unable to offer any Tesistanee, After this the launch was allowed to proceed on it's way here. The haul has, been variously esisiated at between $2000 and $4500
'The great subject of conversation to-day fr the behaviour of the guard fon board, who made no. attempt defend the launch though they' out. numbered. the robbers." Some. a old enough to suggest that there Wwas a previous arrangement! Such Things Have been done! Robberies in the elly have also been more numer us of late, and. recently it has been [Suggested that. even soldiers are afraid to go beyond a ten Li radius of the city at night. A largo band for soldiers arrived a week or two go, and there was general pleasure expressed at their" advent until [became known that they were mere-passing through here, and are not 18 be stationed in the city.
"The citizens have another cause of complaint just now, namely, the Rew Tew on pork which has caused this commodity to Increase in price. A laughter house was erected last yeat peat one of the city gates and $ was made known that in future all pigs Wwere to be slaughtered there, but The Toeat merchants protested and the matter was teterrea to the oft dais in. Hangchow. However, "the Taw ig to be enforced and all often. ders heavily fined. The cause of the. protest was the charge of $120 made for each animal. which added fon to the tax of 40 cents already be-tug pald, has caused the general fecting of unrest. With this in forse ow, at course, the price of pork has one up consherably, and grumbling {Sto be heard all over.
Trade does not seem to. improve much though one or two new shops ave opened. with a blare of frum: pets! "Despite the. attractions Banners waving and drums beating have been noticed though there have been large bers of sightseers for the first fow Gays until the exeMement gradually fies down and the streets resume their usual appearance. These new establishments have Deen opened to replace some of the shops that Closed. at the end of last year, but merchants say that some of them wont last dong.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.