Shanghai, Feb. 6.
In regard to the' much-discussed and vital western "out side roads" question, a spokesman for the Shanghai Muni cipal Council said yesterday that the Council was in the process of consulting various authorities about the matte Thus a certain conerete stage has been reached in the nego tiations, but the spokesman declined to say whether this stage could be regarded as final, as several officials had yet. to be consulted.
On Feb. 4 Mr. Fu Siao-en, the Mayor of the "Speci Municipality," had stated that "arrangement" over the extra-Settlement roads ques tion had been reached, between the S.M.C. and Kiangwan, but he did not reveal any terms.
Mr. G, Godfrey Phillips, Secretary and Commissioner General of the S.M.C,, is expected to return'to Shanghai from a three weeks holiday, spent in Hongkong and Singapore, towards the end of this week, Mr. C. S. Franklin, Chairman of the Council, likewise is absent from Shangh: at present, of this, prices have gone up consider ably. ' "Affecting the superstitions Chinese during the Lunar New Year period when worshipping Is the order of the day, is the increase of price joss paper which comes from Che-Kiang. Wood fuel, charcoal and wine have increased also. The prices of the Fuyang and Wenchow paper have Increased.
Rich people are sending cash to Shanghai from affected Chekiang districts despite the fact that idle money here has been troubles. Tt is reported that clu the past few days more than $2J 000 has been remitted here by vich people in Ningpo and Shaoshing mostly through native banks. Salt and ¢ocoon merchants in threatened districts alone have remitted more than $1,000,000. "People in Wenchow, Lishul and other districts are expect: ed to follow the lead." One report states that it is diMieult for the vineial authorities to prevent them from sending money to Shanghai Lecause merchants have done so on the pretext of settling their Lunar New year accounts, Ara recent meeting of the Muni-ripal Council, it was agreed to suggest to the Consular Body that the Municipal Election dates for 1940 be fixed for Wednesday" and Thurs~ day, April 10 and 11: and that the Annual Meeting of Ratepayers be held on Wednesday, April 13, come mencing at 230 pi,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.