Micit trading in morphia is still being carried on in spite of efforts to stop it. It is particularly bad in the coastal districts. A few years ago it was a common sight to see a man going round the folds with a basket, and approaching the farmers at work among their crops. is basket con-fained a syringe and morphia. For 10 cents anyone could have a jab. This practice has been stopped. though there is stil a lot of drug dealing in out-of-the-way parts.
'A few days ago a man who traded pigs, taking them by boat from one' place fo another, was found to be dealing in morphia. Twenty-five ounces of the drug were found concealed in the window of the boat. The owner of the boat was arrested, but three of the men escaped by jumping into the sea and swimming ashore. The penalty is death for those who sell the drug, if they are caught.
It is well known to what lengths morphia addicts will go to obtain the drug for which they crave, Recently a man who had been reduced to poverty by drug taking, took the opportunity of his wife being away' from home to sell her jewelry in order to buy morphia. He obtained. the drug, and injected it, but the syringe was not clean, and in a short lime he developed blood poisoning ud died, Soldiers Well-Behaved well-behaved company of soldiers is stationed her who have announced that their alm is serve the people, Compared with few years ago these soldiers are a vast improvement and their attitude civil and friendly instead of rough and uncourteous. People are longer afraid of them as they used, to be. Some time ago when a local commander had orders to move his troops, he said that he had no alter~ native but to go, for the Government now had authority; a few years ego he would have taken no notice, but now times are different, Those' who live up-country are very thankful be that they are different, The district aylet and peaceful; Reds have gone, and bandits have been greatly reduced.
The Lunghwa plain is intersected by "numerous canals which serve both for irrigation and transport. Almost every village near a canal has its dragon boat, housed in the local temple, and brought out on special occasions. This year special preparations were made here by the Jocal ofMeials for dragon boat races. Of Jate years races have not been held because they had Jed to s0 much Gghting among the rival crews; the boats just came out and paddled about. But this year under the supervision of oMcials as well armed soldiers, order was maintained,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.