Chungking, Aug. 5.
As a result of the explosion of Jdynamite stored at Wanshoukung on the Kungtan River, in eastern Szechuan, yesterday, "178 labourers were killed. The explosive was be used for blasting rocks in the mountainous areas along the route of the Hunan-Szechuan Highway, which now under construction—Kuo Min, Tue "Shunpao" carries the following report:—The China Merchants s. Dong Wah has completed a hazardous voyage to Shao Pu, better Known as Ao Doo, a salt-producing island opposite Swatow. Ao Doo, owing to the fact that it is surround ed by dangerous submerged rocks, has been hitherto uncharted any map and is inhabited by fisher men and natives who depend upon the sale of salt to earn a. living. The island is infested by pirates and 1 the people from Fukien and Swatow @are not go to this place, The s. Dong Wah recently, however, completed a voyage to this island in order to bring 100,000 piculs of salt to Fukien. With the assis ance of an experienced pilot, the Dong Wah anchored one day at Ao Doo, but not until she had been sub-Jecled to two furious attacks pirates, The pirates were repulsed by armed guards carried by the Dong Wah. The first attack wes launched night by twelve boats full of pirates. The second engagement took a much longer time than the frst, The salt of this island is very cheap, being sold at only $1 for from 2,000 to 3,000 piculs. Since the Dong Wah's visit, the price of salt has increased {to $1 for only 800 piculs, it is said.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.