I am drawing attention to the distressing state of things prevailing to the North of lahina from the serious famine which is desolating that part of the country.
Deeming it to be a case in which the Chinese Government might not inappropriately express its sympathy with the unfortunate sufferers, and offer some little assistance in conjunction with foreigners of all nationalities who have been collecting subscriptions on their behalf, I submitted for the opinion of my Legislative Council, the propriety of contributing through Her Majesty's Consul at Shanghai the sum of one thousand taels towards the famine relief fund which has been set on foot in Shanghai.
The proposal was favourably approved by the Council and I have the honour to inform Your Lordship that I have caused that amount to be placed by telegraphic transfer to the credit of Her Majesty's Consul at Shanghai for famine purposes.
I enclose a few newspaper cuttings describing the lamentable state...
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